i hope this is considered a "technical" question, cuz it's "technical" to me......
how hard is it to install the clear corner lights (from afterthoughts)?
on a scale of 1 - 10:
1 = can't even open the box correctly * * * 10 = most of you guys on this board
(i'm probly about a 3....)
[ 23. August 2003, 06:11 PM: Message edited by: cytruffle ]
Posted by OBSSD (Member # 1258) on :
Wellllll...I just did it...twice. First time was when I was replacing the damaged fascia. But the driver side lens didn't fit right so Deanne had to send a new one. By that time, I had the new fascia installed and I didn't feel like removing the fascia again (and I didn't have a helper either).
The lenses themselves are held in by 3 screws...two into the back and one into the bottom...that's a piece of cake when the fascia's removed. Removing the fascia's another story It's probably a toss up which way is easier - to remove the fascia or install the lenses with the fascia still attached.
Removing the fascia isn't too bad if you have a helper or two. You'll need to remove the plastic panels underneath (quick'n easy): then you'll have access to the 4 nuts on each side that hold the fascia to the fender. You'll also need to remove the plastic clips along the top and bottom (5 on top, and 3 on the bottom, I think). Then comes the finesse of removing the fascia without scratching it.
When I replaced them the second time, I still had to remove all the nuts and clips to provide enough room to wrangle the lenses out. And it took quite a bit of wrangling...they don't quite clear the outside fascia bracket and it's really difficult to see what you're doing from under the car. I ended up removing the headlamps (one bolt and they just slide out) so I could work from the top. Once the turn signal lens was loose, I masked off the areas where I was worried about rubbing the paint. Then it was a matter of applying just enough pressure to the bracket to let the lens slide by. Installation was reverse of removal.
Let me know if you have any questions...I'll be around during the week and then gone for 2 weeks.
Posted by cytruffle (Member # 1733) on :
okaaaaaayyyyyyy.......that sounds scary... ....guess i'll be driving to oregon for help.....
thank you for the info! -- i may get the courage to try it myself.....
Posted by OBSSD (Member # 1258) on :
It's really not that scary...just takes some effort. Once you get started, you'd be amazed how easy it is to see how everything fits together. Also, you don't need any special tools...I think I used my 1/4" ratchet exclusively. You'll need deep sockets to reach the nuts on the fender bolts...a wobbly and extension will make the reach easier.
Or if you feel like a trip to Oregon, I'll give you hand Posted by poSSum (Member # 119) on :
I went from the top.
Remove the plastic anchors on the top of the fascia and pull it forward a little. It "hooks" about 2 inches forward and stays there.
Pop out the headlight bulbs, remove the headlights, 2 bolts each, then they slide about a 1/2" toward the center of the car to unhook, then wiggle them out.
Now you have clear access to the corner light housing. Follow the other instructions to switch them and reverse the order to put it all together again.
Take your time ...it'll be about a 3 on your difficulty scale.
Posted by poSSum (Member # 119) on :
I went from the top.
Remove the plastic anchors on the top of the fascia and pull it forward a little. It "hooks" about 2 inches forward and stays there.
Pop out the headlight bulbs, remove the headlights, 2 bolts each, then they slide about a 1/2" toward the center of the car to unhook, then wiggle them out.
Now you have clear access to the corner light housing. Follow the other instructions to switch them and reverse the order to put it all together again.
Take your time ...it'll be about a 3 on your difficulty scale.
Posted by SS Rally Red (Member # 1633) on :
I went from the top also took about 10-15 minutes per side. It's a squeeze but not to hard. Posted by cytruffle (Member # 1733) on :
thanks, guys!! i think i'll give it a shot.... Posted by OBSSD (Member # 1258) on :
Well heck...sounds like it may be even easier than mine. I imagine there's enough variances in these cars that some may have room to slide it out without loosening the fascia. Mine may have just been difficult because it was a new fascia mounted by hand instead of the factory robots.
Let us know how it goes. And let me know if yours end up fogging up when wet. I've only washed my car once since I installed them and they fogged up as soon as I hosed the car down.
Posted by DGOETZ (Member # 1846) on :
Service manual says nothing about removing the facia. But you do have to remove the interior trim in the back to access the screws that hold them on
Posted by cytruffle (Member # 1733) on :
quote:Originally posted by OBSSD: .... fogging up when wet. I've only washed my car once since I installed them and they fogged up as soon as I hosed the car down.
was there any kind of sealer around the lenses before you took them out? that's weird that the new ones fogged up..... Posted by OBSSD (Member # 1258) on :
quote:Originally posted by cytruffle: was there any kind of sealer around the lenses before you took them out? that's weird that the new ones fogged up.....
Nope...just a rubber cap over a vent hole on the back side of the lens (similar to OEM). I also transferred the rubber gasket that goes between the lens and the larger bulb's socket.
Posted by CK-1 99SS (Member # 93) on :
I did this as well. I did it the same way as poSSum.. It took me about and hour to do both sides.. The tricky part is moving the corner light so it comes out easy.. Oh ya make sure you clip the headlights back in when you put them back.. I didn't and my headlights seemed to be shining at the top of the trees....
![[Confused]](confused.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
It's probably a toss up which way is easier - to remove the fascia or install the lenses with the fascia still attached.
....guess i'll be driving to oregon for help.....![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
