my wife backed into something and broke the clear glass of the tail light (driver's side). now i'm responsible to fix it. it looks like i have to replace the whole thing (lights, lens and all)???? i'm thinking of going to a salvage place and doing this myself because our deductable is so darn high. is this a difficult repair for someone who is not a mechanic? if it's not difficult, how do you go about replacing the tail light?
The instructions don't tell you that you need to remove the side cloth panels to get to the nuts that allow the light to be removed. Make sure you get a light from a 2004 or 2005, they are different on the 2006-up.
kevtphoto, This not a difficult job, but if it's the first time you've pulled out an interior panel, it will provke some anxeity... wholly unnecessary you'll admit once its completed. I used the pdf dogfriend posted and had no problems. (Can't get it open right now for a quick review though, oh well.) I would say that you need to be especially mindful when you're closing things up; * Do not over-tighten the four bolts; two are on plastic studs, two are on steel, but either way over tightening could break them free from the back of the assembly. * Be sure to get the new assembly is well seated. The gasketing is all that keeps water out of the car. It would be wise to do a hose test after reinstallation. Any water that gets through will collect under the floor, down by the spare. Hope this helps.
