OK, I am a moron. Re tail lights

Was fussing with one of the rear red tail lights as one seems to be out.

Trying to figure out how to change the damn bulb, I tried gently twisting/pushing the red lens and the damn thing broke off in my hand. I didn't force anything, but I do see that the inside chrome plastic refextive back is cracked in a couple places, as is the lens, probably has been hit before.

Were these lenses just glued to the housing?

Are replacement housings available? Cheaper to epoxy the lens back in place?

And, how do I change the bulb? Push and turn like a std US 1157 bulb? I don't want to break anything else.

And, since the lenses don't appear to be removable, how are the bulbs accessed if I don't break the housings? Remove from behind?

Thanks,
Doug

 

The bulbs are changed from the backside. There is a bracket held in by tabs that pops into the rear of the lens and it holds the bulb/s.

 

no doug your no moron this ginda sh#t happens to every one i was adjusting the striker for the dek lid after engine rebuild left the pass striker loose jacked around for 2 hrs trying to get open the deklid to open no go mate !!! so i had to ( it pains me to say this) smash one of the brake light to get my hand in there to release the lock expensive mistake ...we live and learn ...... theres a guy here in ozz selling the repo lenses ebay aust item # 250457401281 good luck mate

 

Hi,

I saw the add on ebay of the repo lenses, they look good, have you actually seen one in the flesh? Seems like a good deal if they actually look identical.

Thanks
Helmut

 

No have not seen them in person but for a hundred $$ aussie there worth the risk i bought 4 used OEM on ebay $300 email the guy for some hi-res pic ..... good luck mate

 

The three bulb strap carrier does snap out, from the back of the lens/housing assembly, which as you have just learned, does not come apart at all....the base, lens and reflector are all glued together fimrly.

It is sold as a unit.....

I think Ricambi or TRutlands has them and while they are pricey the newer one will have better plastic and the three mounting studs will be fresh, most of the bases are cracking by now...
two of my three cars have had all four replaced...It's worth it.

 

There's a locking plastic tab at the top and the bottom of the vertical metal strap, itnegral to the black part of the housing...pry VERY gently or this will snap to pieces as well......

 

It's not an #1157...there are three lamps single filament each...

Top and bottom are running lights, center one is the brakes......IIRC 1156 is the single filament, same size but only one contact tit on the bottom........

 

My inboard (red ) lights have two bulbs each, both dual filament. Owners manual says SAE 1034, but an 1157 is a brighter direct replacement of the 1034. (I had to look up the bulb specs on my Corvette, which says 1034 to verify the 1157 replacement, which is what i have used for years in that car)

I am going to install 5 watt Luxeon LED 1157 bulbs everywhere in back. Kind of pricey at ~$30 each, though

Incredibly bright and much faster lighting, I put them in my Corvette, as those small 1961 lens need all the help they can so people can see if I am stopping.

Thanks,
Doug

 

Your sockets have TWO pins???

Look at them......it's been awhile but I distinctly remember mine as single filament...

Whatever works, brudda, sorry to hear about your lens, if it's in good shape glue it back in, but you'd be happy to see the brighter plastic overall of the new components, it sounds like that's your objective....

 

LEDs are a good idea, it's sunlight and heat that has aged the existing lenses.

 

I had a Body Shop after a wreck trying to glue mine together and "make it work"....I slapped them around and made the insurance buy a whole set of four.....about $1,200 USD at the time....

 

The red ones have two pins. Has to, one filament for tail running lights, one filament for brake lights.

TRutlands quoted me about $255 per light, which includes a Ferrari club discount.

Will see if a local resto shop can get them cheaper.

Those 5 watt LEDs rock. Eye dazzlers, someone behind you cannot miss them.

Doug

 

BTW, these are the LEDS I have been using

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/commerce.cgi?product=CAR#1157-x12

About halfway down the page are the 3 and 5 watt bulbs. Available in both dual filament 1157 and single 1156.

If you ever decide to use these, you always want the same color LED as the lens it is behind. Red LED for red lens, amber for amber. Unless of course your lens is clear or white, then use whatever color you want.

If you put a white LED behind a red lens for example, you filter out a bunch of the brightness.

Doug

 

They must have revised them then, as mine I recall have run lights top and bottom and the center bulb of the three is the brake....

You are going to have me digging around in my garage all weekend now looking for those old lamp supports!!! LOL!

 

That's a fair price, bear in mind they are DOT certified and I'd be leary of going "cheap' in this area.....if you are particular about a 'match' buy the pair.......the plastic will be noticebly brighter in color...

 

Does the back end of your car look like this? The red lens have two bulbs, the outside amber lenses have three bulbs (I believe, I haven't broken one of those yet), with the center as backup lights. My car # is 25521, built in mid 1978, though registered as a 1979 model. It is part euro car (kph speedo, fake carbon canister setup), part US car, though I do not think it is grey market

Doug
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I've got a 1983 QV and my lights are just as you describe above. Two dual filament bulbs inside the red lenses (one filament for standard driving light, and second for brake lights) and three singles in the amber lenses... two for the turn signals and one for the reverse lights.