Well I completed the instillation of my new Tail Lights on this fine MidAtlantic afternoon. I started around Noon and just finished up around six, after, of course, a brief cruise around the block to make sure the new lens didn't effect performance in any way. I can say I am really please with the results...
Here are the quick Pics:
First we have the taillight as it came with the car. You can see here that the corners are actually melting into the rear plate at this point. The paint is shot and it may turn out easier for me to replace the entire rear panel. Only time will tell. For some odd reason this pic reminds of the Shark in Jaws 2 with half of its face burned off...
This is a pic of the actual operation. You can see here that the fire liquified the paint and first layers, but otherwise did little damage. There was no interior damage at this point, not even soot from the vent holes. The lens themselves weren't even damaged on the black parts. Note the weatherstripping laying on the spoiler.
What you see here is the finished reassembled tail end. The new lights function 100% and gave me no headaches whatsoever going back where they belong. However that weatherstrip that was mentioned above - ABSOLUTE nightmare to reinstall. There were several moments where I thought the rear piece was going to break under the pressure. That piece fits between the panel and the spoiler piece and was laying across the lights when I removed the panel. I had no clue as to how or where it mounted. The guys doing the estimate must have gotten lazy on putting it back because there is no way for this to simply fall off.
Finished product... almost symmetrical now...
All in all it was not that difficult of a project. For anyone trying the same thing be aware of the key hole which needs to be removed first (and was subsequently preventing me from removing the panel which was the original intent of this thread.) Figuring out how to remove the parts wasn't hard but be PREPARED!!! If I had no intention of repainting the bumper and rear I would be very pi$$ed at the amount of scratching this produced. The rear panel bends into the vent holes on the sides and creates a bowing effect (which I assume makes it stronger.) Also the lightbulb sockets were a little temperamental about screwing in and out but save patience, they worked out eventually.
Scale of 1 to 10 (one being setting the clock on the radio - 10 being rebuilding the transmission using only chopsticks) I give this a 3. You only need basic tools (depending on how that weatherstrip is supposed to go in - I only guessed) and a great deal of time. Second set of hands couldn't hurt either.
