Middle Trunk Tail-Light Separation

[NewLeSabreOwner]

I think the winter is starting to take its toll! I noticed today that the middle tail lights covers on the truck on both sides are separating from the assembly. Does anyone have any input on how to safely remove them and then be able to glue and mount them back on or should I just go ahead and look for a scrap yard replacement. If glue replacement, any input on what I should use?

I tried to push them back in and then by the time I got home both of them were separated again. The middle tail lights never worked, even after lightbulb changes since I got her, but the license plate lights work just fine.

https://imgur.com/a/9CM7qZ3

 

[silverbullet04]

You can take the entire assembly out and then try to remove the lens, clean everything up and use a waterproof glue/silicone. Something similar to windshield glue. Make sure you do this in a warm area and be careful not to break the lens! As for the bulbs not working, it could be a wire issue somewhere in the harness or a damaged harness plug.

If you dont want to go through this, you can probably find a used unit on ebay. I did when I cracked mine, it was around $120 shipped for a decent used unit and it came with the harness.

 

[JGBuick]

They look in good shape actually! I'd try and glue them back in place if it were my car. They unbolt very easily from inside the trunk lid. 10mm socket if I remember.

 

[BuickGirlFromMars]

They look in good shape actually! I'd try and glue them back in place if it were my car. They unbolt very easily from inside the trunk lid. 10mm socket if I remember.

A impact and a 10mm deep well make this much faster

 

[silverbullet04]

A impact and a 10mm deep well make this much faster

Indeed. Just be careful not to over tighten the bolts when you put the light back in.

 

[NewLeSabreOwner]

Well, I will report back.... I removed the whole middle assembly today, and then used a heat gun to loosen up the adhesive / glue / tape....let's just say there was a 0% chance that the light cover would have fallen off, but leak sure. There is so much adhesive, it's not even funny and the glue is hard to remove and get to in its little wedge area is hard. I fully removed the tail plastic outside lens and then inside there was a ton of dirt, and removed the inner red plastic piece that's curved that is between the bulbs and outside lens. I then did use the silicone / glue mixture and have my clamps on it and its flush again, however the middle area reverse light area is wedged out and could not seem to find a way to fix that, so I just filled that in with the silicone to stop that from future leaks. That was just the driver side....the passenger side I could not justify all that again, so have some thick silicone filling in the crevasse and have that one clamped down as well as it dries and then will put back.

https://imgur.com/a/KQwCb24

 

[BuickGirlFromMars]

Well, I will report back.... I removed the whole middle assembly today, and then used a heat gun to loosen up the adhesive / glue / tape....let's just say there was a 0% chance that the light cover would have fallen off, but leak sure. There is so much adhesive, it's not even funny and the glue is hard to remove and get to in its little wedge area is hard. I fully removed the tail plastic outside lens and then inside there was a ton of dirt, and removed the inner red plastic piece that's curved that is between the bulbs and outside lens. I then did use the silicone / glue mixture and have my clamps on it and its flush again, however the middle area reverse light area is wedged out and could not seem to find a way to fix that, so I just filled that in with the silicone to stop that from future leaks. That was just the driver side....the passenger side I could not justify all that again, so have some thick silicone filling in the crevasse and have that one clamped down as well as it dries and then will put back.

https://imgur.com/a/KQwCb24

to be clear the part your clamping isnt warped right? you would need to use an adhesive if this is a lot of force in play. if its just to keep it smushed into the sealer, then its not a big deal. if you needed holding force i woudl have used urethane