2002 Nissan Tail Light Assembly

[rruhs]

Realizing that this may be so completely simple of a solution, yet, not wanting to have to purchase a replacement for my own lack of knowlege I am willing to submit to the humiliation of asking a question:

"HOW DOES ONE REMOVE THE REAR ALTEZZA LIGHT ASSEMBLY IN ORDER TO CHANGE THE BRAKE LIGHT?"

I have searched high and low for the answer to this in any and all combinations of removing tail light assembly, changing brake light, and even went to www.askjeeves.com! I have run across this forum on multiple occasions so I decided to join and give it a try.

I have already removed the cargo clips (4 total) and peeled the carpet away from the area of interest. There was an obvious nut to remove after taking the wire harness clip off the stem bolt. There are 2 plastic covers that I have tried to turn, pinch closed, and push to try and remove the assembly. I have tried using a screw driver to wedge and push the covers, even tried a pair of pliers and goose necks to attempt to turn/loosen to remove it.

I must admit that I feel a mechanical failure at this point yet am able to hang on to some sort of dignity in that I have not broken them off just to change the brake light. That seems to be the only saving grace in this process. Any suggestions would be most appreciated. Of course, I would have liked to have them yesterday as I would not have needed to do a search and waste my entire morning trying to find the answer. Ah, the hell of a walking human hanging on the oblivion of ignorance is truly frustrating...is it not? Especially when you're looking at yourself as the oblivious ignorant!