How To: Disassembling Firebird Tail Lights

[blindeyed]

Note: For this walk through, the tail light being used has already been taken apart. The pictures are mainly to help provide you with a visual perspective to go along with. The tail light being used is from a 93-97 Formula/Trans Am, but the process is virtually the same for all 93-97 tail lights. 98-02 lights are epoxied together, and nearly impossible to separate without breaking the lens. Trust me, I learned this the hard way.

If you look closely, you'll see where the lens is attached to the housing with RTV silicone. You'll need a basic flat-head screwdriver to separate the lens from the housing. Now, before you start anything, you'll need to know that there are a few techniques of loosening the silicone enough to pry off the lens. Some people use a blow dryer/heat gun, others stick the whole tail light in the oven for about 10 minutes (like the Camaro headlight mod) at around 300* degrees. The tail light wouldn't fit in my oven, so that was no option. Plus, that just didn't seem too bright of an idea. So what I did was simple.. I did nothing. I just went at it. Not the easiest way of doing it, but it worked just fine for me. Might be a little easier for you if you use a hairdryer or heat gun to work the silicone loose.

Now you're ready to start. You'll want to begin on the reverse light end of the tail light, since that's the easiest place to start prying apart.



Now wedge the flathead at the inner edge, and start working the screwdriver back and fourth. Don't pry too hard, you don't want to crack the lens and/or the housing. Be gentle, and be patient, and you will see the lens start to lift off some.



Now wedge the flathead at the inner edge, and start working the screwdriver back and fourth. Don't pry too hard, you don't want to crack the lens and/or the housing. Be gentle, and be patient, and you will see the lens start to lift off some.





Once you have that end of the light loosened up, you'll want to work your way around the light assembly. Pulling and prying wherever needed. Once I had the end loosened up, all I pretty much had to do was start prying the two apart with my hands and the rest popped right off. Not saying it will be as easy for you or anyone else, so please be careful and cautious when doing this. Once you have got the two pieces apart, you'll need to peel off all the silicone that was holding the 2 pieces together. After you've done that, you'll be left with this:



There will be tiny little metal tabs holding the plastic lenses down, as you may have noticed while peeling off the silicone. Pry those off with the flat-head, and remove them. It's not necessary to save them for reinstallation.

From this point, all you have to do is apply a new bead of silicone around the edges, and put the lens back on. Make sure you apply pressure to the lid as the silicone is drying. You don't want to end up with any moisture leaks. You can find this silicone at any major auto parts store. It will be labeled as "RTV Silicone Gasket Maker," and comes in an aluminum squeeze tube.

[blindeyed]

Continued: Making Your lights clear (for 93-97 grid lights only)

Continuing from the above disassembly steps.. To make your own clear lights, all you have to do is remove the red and clear (optional) lenses.





Now just apply a new bead of silicone around the edges, and put the lens back on. Make sure you apply pressure to the lid as the silicone is drying. You don't want to end up with any moisture leaks.



Once you've done that and the silicone is fully dried, you're ready to test it out and see how it looks. Just be sure to have some red bulbs or red led replacement lights on hand before you go off driving.