chipworkz Posted October 15, 2014 Report Share Posted October 15, 2014 So I tried to remove my 2012 tail lights last night to get at the bulbs. I did a quick search to see how they are removed. I removed the screws and then tried to pull them straight out as the videos showed. I got the top stud to release but the bottom one is more like a barb and will NOT let go. I pulled as hard as I could while wiggling the light around and could not get it. I even used a putty knife behind the light to give it pressure as I pulled and still nothing. Why would Ford make it so hard to get these lights out? I am afraid of scratching up the paint just trying to get the lights out. Anyone have any special way of getting these things out? Thanks, Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWWPerfA_ZN0W Posted October 16, 2014 Report Share Posted October 16, 2014 It's pretty hard to pull them out on the 2007 too! I guess a couple of suction cups or ribbed gloves would be helpful in pulling the lights straight out, though usually I can get a good grip on the plastic with my palms and pull straight out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CinnamonEdge Posted October 16, 2014 Report Share Posted October 16, 2014 Once you do get them out I would lube up the studs with some dielectric grease. That's what I did when I pulled mine out and they release much better. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chipworkz Posted October 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2014 I finally got it off today. I just could not get it loose with my hands only. It didn't matter how hard I pulled the bottom would not come loose. I used a body panel removal tool to insert between the housing and body and pulled it towards the rear of the car. The bottom finally popped out with no damage to the housing or paint. I do have a couple of scratches below the light from all the wiggling around that I will need to touch up. As suggested, I did put a little grease on the pegs so it will be easier to get off next time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWWPerfA_ZN0W Posted October 26, 2014 Report Share Posted October 26, 2014 Sorry to hear about the scratches, that's gotta hurt! I think I will follow suit with the dielectric grease the next time I get to pop 'em suckers off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc300c Posted October 31, 2014 Report Share Posted October 31, 2014 Chipworkz is on the right track. However, a customer of mine gave me a nice method he discovered when he was replacing his stock tails with my new LED tails. He used a piece of wood 2X4 and cut it into a wedge shape. He then covered it with a piece of cloth. He stuck the point of the wedge into the gap between the lens and the body and twisted. He moved the wedge up and down the forward edge of the tail like Chipworkz shows and it easily works loose. With it being made of wood, the chances of scratching the lens is mitigated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
normcloutier Posted November 1, 2014 Report Share Posted November 1, 2014 When I removed mine to install new back-up lamps, I put painters tape into the gap as far as I could before prying them off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisbritt1995 Posted January 4, 2015 Report Share Posted January 4, 2015 That's odd. When I removed both fixtures I had no problem popping them out when pulling them straight out of the body. Maybe it's because I have a 2013. Think the design is any different or it was easier due to being newer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.