The Subaru SVX World Network   SVX Network Forums
Live Chat!
SVX or Subaru Links
Old Lockers
Photo Post
How-To Documents
Message Archive
SVX Shop Search
IRC users:

Go Back   The Subaru SVX World Network > SVX Main Forums > Technical Q & A

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 08-16-2008, 11:28 AM
plantchick's Avatar
plantchick plantchick is offline
Mechanical 'L' plater ahead
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Australia (Townsville)
Posts: 119
How do I remove centre tail light cover?

Preferably without destroying anything.

I feel a right twit asking, but I've searched and searched and can't find anything on it.

The left hand side is sticking out enough to be (at least one) source of a boot leak. I can see the plastic thingies that look like they should fit snug beneath the trim, but either its jammed on the right or I just can't work it out. I'm scared to use too much force because of the electrics.

Can anyone tell me how to remove it?
__________________
1992 Onyx SVX 184,500kms
Now with new and improved no leak steering!

No plants = no life on earth - so go forth and plant green things!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 08-16-2008, 11:54 AM
LetItSnow's Avatar
LetItSnow LetItSnow is offline
Still Cant' Say the Z-Word
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Syracuse, NY
Posts: 2,338
Send a message via AIM to LetItSnow
Registered SVX
Re: How do I remove centre tail light cover?

Our forum's server is a bit wonky today, so keep trying if it gives you trouble...
<clicky>
__________________
Disclaimer: The above post is on the internet.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 08-16-2008, 12:26 PM
lhopp77's Avatar
lhopp77 lhopp77 is offline
Old Timer (age that is)
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Las Vegas, New Mexico
Posts: 3,514
Send a message via Yahoo to lhopp77
Registered SVX
Re: How do I remove centre tail light cover?

Actually, the above probably doesn't tell you what you really want to know. Its obvious that there are a couple of electrical connectors and the visible nuts. The harder part is getting the trim cover off the underside of the trunk lid without breaking the little mounting clips.

Carefully insert as screw driver under the edge of the trim piece and pry gently until you actually located the clip. Then in the area of the clip exert a slight pry pressure until the clip comes out of the mounting hole. there are clips all around the edge and then there is on nearly in the middle. That middle one is the trickiest. Gentle pry pressure will do the trick in most cases without any damage. A nice big flat blade screwdriver is best.

I have done it this way 4 different times and only broken one clip.

Lee
__________________
SVXx2
92 SVX LS-L Silver
92 SVX LS-L Burgundy (structurally challenged with 2792 miles)
96 SVX LSi Red
92 SVX LS Pearl (Parts)
01 F150 4X4 Red
(+6 with other members of the family)

FREEDOM IS NOT FREE
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 08-16-2008, 12:41 PM
LetItSnow's Avatar
LetItSnow LetItSnow is offline
Still Cant' Say the Z-Word
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Syracuse, NY
Posts: 2,338
Send a message via AIM to LetItSnow
Registered SVX
Re: How do I remove centre tail light cover?

I didn't cover that very well in my writeup; thanks for the supplement.
__________________
Disclaimer: The above post is on the internet.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 08-16-2008, 06:54 PM
plantchick's Avatar
plantchick plantchick is offline
Mechanical 'L' plater ahead
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Australia (Townsville)
Posts: 119
Re: How do I remove centre tail light cover?

Thanks guys. I could see the major clips and connections, but not all and couldn't figure if what I could see were all part of the same housing. The pics fill in the blanks and the trim cover explanation puts it all together.

I hope! Am going to give it a go today....

Tania.
__________________
1992 Onyx SVX 184,500kms
Now with new and improved no leak steering!

No plants = no life on earth - so go forth and plant green things!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 08-16-2008, 09:49 PM
plantchick's Avatar
plantchick plantchick is offline
Mechanical 'L' plater ahead
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Australia (Townsville)
Posts: 119
Re: How do I remove centre tail light cover?

Well I got the cover off and think I can see why it isn't seating properly, but I don't know if the goop is some kind of adhesive that's been applied in the past, or melted/degraded seals. The clips weren't really engaged at all - it was the goopy stuff that seemed to be holding it. All but the lower right came away easily. Clickable thumbnails;

Tail light bracket goopy stuff LHS;



Tail light bracket goopy stuff RHS;



Tail light bracket goopy stuff Middle;



Tail light cover goopy stuff RHS;



Tail light cover goopy stuff Middle:



===

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Tania.
__________________
1992 Onyx SVX 184,500kms
Now with new and improved no leak steering!

No plants = no life on earth - so go forth and plant green things!
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 08-29-2008, 05:58 PM
plantchick's Avatar
plantchick plantchick is offline
Mechanical 'L' plater ahead
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Australia (Townsville)
Posts: 119
Re: How do I remove centre tail light cover?

Apologies if resurrecting this annoys, but I've done my best to try and work it out by searching threads here and asking for advice from autoparts stores (and a rubber store). From threads etc I get where I need to check next if this doesn't turn out to be the only leak source, but I'm stuck on this atm. Will put everything I know/have done so I don't waste anyone's time.

As far as I can see from the parts diagrams, the only gaskets/seals are two behind either turn signal and two on each side of the centre light assy, while the light cover itself clips into the black plastic bracket, with no seal/gasket between . Aint so with mine - its the goopy stuff that's holding the cover on, not the clips - I can't even get the clips to engage because they're blocked by the goopy stuff buildup. I haven't found a clear diagram what clips are meant to be there but none are obviously broken, unless there's meant to to be one at the centre top.

The goopy stuff seems to be either degraded u-channel or sealant. Maybe it isn't needed at all, or maybe it was put there to sort a leak in the first place and has become too degraded, so needs to be replaced. I don't know. I do know I need to scrape/clean it off to work it out, but...

1) If the clips don't turn out to hold it alone, what can I use to temporarily hold it while I work something out? Would some kind of silicone that I could peel off work? blu tac? tape of some sort? I'm awfully wary of the cover breaking.

2) If some kind of sealant replacement is needed, the only idea I've come up that would let me replace bulbs by taking off the cover & not having to remove the entire assembly is u-channel. If u-channel, would I try and fit it into the gap between the metal of the light assembly & plastic bracket, or on the cover itself (have asked places, but got conflicting suggestions)? Alternatively is there a selastic type product that won't permanently adhere?

Thanks in advance,
Tania.
===
If anyone else comes accross this in a search on leaks, here's a good thread link (that also links to another good thread): http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/showthread.php?t=45943
__________________
1992 Onyx SVX 184,500kms
Now with new and improved no leak steering!

No plants = no life on earth - so go forth and plant green things!
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 08-29-2008, 07:23 PM
legacyau legacyau is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: brisvegas
Posts: 281
Re: How do I remove centre tail light cover?

hi tania i'd go the silicone(try neutral cure roofing type) route you can get it off later usually, i'm assuming you want to seal the cover to the housing? or is it the housing you want to seal to the bootlid?

cam

ps im going to check mine out now lol all my lights get condensation in them
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 08-29-2008, 08:43 PM
plantchick's Avatar
plantchick plantchick is offline
Mechanical 'L' plater ahead
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Australia (Townsville)
Posts: 119
Re: How do I remove centre tail light cover?

Quote:
Originally Posted by legacyau View Post
ps im going to check mine out now lol all my lights get condensation in them
Hey, so there's a bright side - gap = ventilation = no condensation!
shame about the water in the boot....

Quote:
i'm assuming you want to seal the cover to the housing?
Yup, that's the one. The pic shows the gap on the LHS that's letting water in.

Sorry, I'm not sure if you mean the silicone as a temporary solution, or a permanent one that would seal it but still let me remove the cover to change bulbs. Also, is the neutral cure type silicone so it doesn't damage the plastic? I was sold a tube of black 'gasket' silicone by an autoparts store, then told not to use it by the rubber place because its meant for high temp metal surfaces & would eat plastic/rust light metal.

Thanks, Cam... so how are your covers?

Tania.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Tail light cover.JPG (26.8 KB, 64 views)
__________________
1992 Onyx SVX 184,500kms
Now with new and improved no leak steering!

No plants = no life on earth - so go forth and plant green things!
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 08-30-2008, 01:36 AM
legacyau legacyau is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: brisvegas
Posts: 281
Re: How do I remove centre tail light cover?

Quote:
Originally Posted by plantchick View Post
but still let me remove the cover to change bulbs.
you can get to the bulbs from the inside of the bootlid cant you? there is a movable flap on the inside of the bootlid cover

cam
ps i didnt get the time i needed to fiddle with mine today but tomorrow for sure
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 08-30-2008, 03:28 AM
plantchick's Avatar
plantchick plantchick is offline
Mechanical 'L' plater ahead
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Australia (Townsville)
Posts: 119
Only one option after all....

Quote:
Originally Posted by legacyau View Post
you can get to the bulbs from the inside of the bootlid cant you? there is a movable flap on the inside of the bootlid cover
Darn, darn, darn! I thought it'd be possible, too, but nope - from inside the boot (trunk) you can only access the wiring and bolts that hold it in place - the light panel itself can only be removed from the outside. (LetItSnow's post link shows it better than I'm explaining it)

And I'm a twit - only realised I knew that after reading your comment....

So the only option is a fix that seals but won't permanently adhere.

Started cleaning the goop today but with the panel in place. Guess I'm going to have to take the assembly out and see if there's a way of removing the metal bulb plate thingamy from the black plastic housing. Maybe that'll tell me more.

Does anyone else have some kind of sealant/u-channel between the two?

Cam, if you do do your lights tomorrow.....
__________________
1992 Onyx SVX 184,500kms
Now with new and improved no leak steering!

No plants = no life on earth - so go forth and plant green things!
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:32 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
© 2001-2015 SVX World Network
(208)-906-1122