ppritchard

I have followed the directions, both manual and from the how-tos, but. . .

Center brake light cover won't pull up and out, sounds like I'm going to break it.

Right tail light cover won't budge either.

Is there a pry point or trick to getting these off?

I've removed the center's 4 screws and the sides 3 screws each. When I pull up on the center or up and out, it just doesn't budge. The sides, I tried pulling out to the side but alas no move.

Any help would be appreciated.

thanks!

RX7Junkman

the corners slide out but if u have never removed them it require a little bit of force, from what u say u removed its right just try a little harder. it happened to me to when I put in my 99 specs

CantGoStraight

I believe you have to remove both the sides before you can remove the center piece. The left one has to be pushed to the left from center, and the right to the right from center. They don't lift up (the left and right ones).

RE-Amemiya

Well said, they do take quite a bit of force if they haven't been taken out before. Spent about 20 mins trying to take out one side when i upgraded to the 99spec lights.

onemeansaturn

The first time I took mine out, I felt like a fool because I had such a hard time pulling them out. Just takes some force.

Joe

ppritchard

So, with enough pressure -- the plastic covers move and the actual lights/sockets are revealed, Right?

7syawedis

iTrader: (1)

what they said. just push out sideways. they were a little weird to me the first time too and fairly stuck. then the center will come right off with no effort.

chagar

Mine were a PITA to remove. It did take a lot of force. When it broke free I nearly fell on my ***. I broke one of the plastic pieces getting it out. Went back in ok though.

cloead

Just make sure when pulling out the tailights, slide them out to the side, don't just try to pull them straight back. Doing this will break the tabs on the back. (dont ask how i figured that out)

spandy

iTrader: (1)

No, when removing it from the car, the entire unit has to come off (clear lens cover and the housing with the light sockets and whatnot). Take the screws out, and slide it towards the side of the car like stated above. Then undo the 3 connectors for the lights and you are done.

To get the clear lens cover off after this, requires a heat gun as they are glued to the housing. If you pull too hard and the glue isn't heated up enough, you will break the lens. I had to replace one of my covers because the previous owner didn't take his time and broke the clear lens while doing the 99 spec lights.

ppritchard

Still not getting it.

The only screws we've removed are the three each side holding the plastic covers and the four holding the center piece. Are there "other" screws that need to come off before pulling the covers out and to the side?

We have a turn signal out and someone is going to hit us soon if we don't figure it out.

Thanks for the help,

sevensix

iTrader: (1)

just lean into it to the sides of the car like u're taking off mr potato head ears. u got all the screws.

7syawedis

iTrader: (1)

NOT out and to the side. they just straight slide out sideways. its weird

spandy

iTrader: (1)

Either they've never been removed and just have that "factory seal" to them, or someone super glued them.

****, I don't know...maybe take a heat gun and CAREFULLY warm the edges and see if that helps it to break free. Mine almost fall out once the screws are removed, but I've taken them out twice, and God knows how many times they were out prior to me owning it.

N1atMax

iTrader: (4)

Take off the center piece. Undo all scews then pull the inside/middle straight back then slide the outer ends outward. If you break the Tabs or the plastic inserts that go into the body Ray does sell them. I had to replace a few of mine and yes the were very hard top get off after sitting in there for 14 years. Once their off you will be very clear on how to do it in the future. It is quite simple once you get one off.

TwilightRotary

iTrader: (3)

hey not to thread jack, but where did you guys buy your '99 spec tailights from?

ppritchard

GOT IT!

Thanks for all the help!

spandy

iTrader: (1)

No, bullshit, you have to tell us what the deal was and what ended up working before you bail on the thread.