Tail light lens(?) replacement ; 1991 Legacy wgn

[Anon.II]

I need to *fix* my broken (right rear) tail light on a 1991

Legacy L+ wagon. With some boneheaded acts, I managed

to crack & break out part of the lens. The lights all work,

but in rather brighter-whiter hue than inspection expects.

I think I could make do with a LENS vs entire assembly

(although some of the amber inner lens is cracked, it

shine amber rearwards).

 

I've found one URLink (amongst NAs) for this, I think

http://www.partswebsite.com/subarucatalog/?i=2&make=153&model=2033&year=1991&catid=30201&subcatid=58735&section=137&type=parts

 

But in examining the tail light, I don't see any obvious way

to remove & replace the lens. (I've only looked at it from

the outside.)

 

Advice appreciated ... ,

thanks,

 

--Anon.II

[markjw]

I'm not too sure what you mean about "just the lens"...It really needs to be replaced as a whole unit. I guess a person might be able to take one apart,but it's just not worth it because it'd be difficult to seal it back up.

 

They are cheap and plentiful in the yards around here. About $12.

 

Only held on by two 8mm nuts, accessed from within the vehicle. There is a obvious panel, easily removed to gain access to the nuts.

 

The real problem is, they are also glued in place. Some are easier than others to remove as the glue ages or fails in some way, but sometimes they are a bear.

 

If yours won't come off easily after removing the two nuts, use small ply bars of some kind to pry the tail light off the car. Steady, and slow on the prying as the glue that is used really is more like a rubber cement that really never cures.

 

Be careful not to scratch the paint.

[Anon.II]

Thanks. I'd mis-read the info at that parts site and thought there was

a separable lens --rather, it was merely separately identified as part

of the unit for sale.

 

Okay, I've pinged a couple of junk yards re the part,

and await responses.

 

--Anon.II

[LegacyBrad]

I'm not too sure what you mean about "just the lens"...It really needs to be replaced as a whole unit. I guess a person might be able to take one apart,but it's just not worth it because it'd be difficult to seal it back up.

 

They are cheap and plentiful in the yards around here. About $12.

 

Only held on by two 8mm nuts, accessed from within the vehicle. There is a obvious panel, easily removed to gain access to the nuts.

 

The real problem is, they are also glued in place. Some are easier than others to remove as the glue ages or fails in some way, but sometimes they are a bear.

 

If yours won't come off easily after removing the two nuts, use small ply bars of some kind to pry the tail light off the car. Steady, and slow on the prying as the glue that is used really is more like a rubber cement that really never cures.

 

Be careful not to scratch the paint.

 

Quoted for truth. Ive done two Leggy wagon tail lights, the first time I didn't realize they were glued in (with sticky tar s h i t) and broke the first nice one I found by rippin and tearing at it like an idiot. Nice steady pressure.

[bheinen74]

make sure you get all the retaining nuts off from the inside hatch area.

The tailight is epoxied into the body with some really really really nasty black caulking/tar crap. You should take a heat gun/ hairdrier to the edges to get the tar stuff warm and flexy, then it will take lots of steady pulling to get it out. <---from experience as well.

 

Man they built those things like tanks. no accident is going to rip one of those suckers out. The new ones, heck, they fall out after a few years, or if hit.

Edited February 16, 2011 by bheinen74

[Anon.II]

They are cheap and plentiful in the yards around here. About $12.

...

The real problem is, they are also glued in place. Some are easier than others to remove as the glue ages or fails in some way, but sometimes they are a bear.

 

Thanks again.

Your quoted price, though, amazes me --esp. tied in with the seemingly

arduous extraction to liberate the part : who can do all that and still sell

the part for $12?!

 

(Your "Washington" is on the other side from mine (D.C. area),

and of the places I've called, I found just one with the wrong side,

and @$75.00 (another had a bulb for nearly half the $12).)

 

Which is the same price as the *new* one listed here:

http://www.partswebsite.com/subarucatalog/?i=2&make=153&model=2033&year=1991&catid=30201&subcatid=58735&section=137&type=parts

 

So, a question: What's the reputation of this on-line company,

"Subaru-Parts-Dealer.com" ?

 

Also, in replacing the assembly, is new sticky tar crap needed,

or is the residue from extraction sufficient to hold, along with

the two bolts?

 

(Frankly, I'm a bit annoyed at having to replace, as so far as *function*

is concerned, my obviously busted lens works fine --white light emits

only a little, visible only from a 45deg angle (so, w/right light, the curb).

But the law is clear, and even damns a mere crack!)

 

 

Thanks again,

--Anon.II