911 Taillight seal blues

[Dkennel]

Hi guys, first time on forum.

I tried to replace my brittle taillight seals. Seemed like an easy task.
With a lot of patience I managed to remove the lenses undamaged, only to discover I also have to remove the taillight housing... I started on the right light and could not get the two screw out that hold the light in place. They moved slowly at first and then started to get easier with a "clipping" feel to it. It seemed like I loosened a nut on the back of the screw that now rotates. Of course I also discovered I cannot access the light from the back side (oil tank!).

I tried my luck on the left light One screw on the left came out. The inside screw did the same thing that happened on the right light.

I think the screw fastener is a little metal clip with a thread insert, and the insert broke off the clip. Is this right? Since I can't remove the light I don't know what's behind. Bentley's has only a tiny diagram and it suggests there are two metal clips behind.

Here is my plan: I need to drill off the head of the screws, will measure my drill size with the one screw I can get out to avoid damaging the light housing ($$$). Then the light housing should pull out of the fender. I think these clips slide over a sheetmetal bracket of some kind. I will need to replace the fastener clips and screws and reassemble with new seal and anti-seize on fasteners. Does this sound right? I want to avoid any surprises with this.

Here is my other dilemma though: I don't know what these clip fasteners look like or where to order them. I requested info from PP and they don't have the fastener screws or clips, same with Performance. Strasse claims they can get them to me for $3.95 per clip and $1.70 per screw??? Does this sound right?
I want to use original parts, no "somehow it will work". Does anybody have parts numbers?

I would appreciate any help and advice!


Dietmar
1987 Carrera Coupe
diamond blue


BTW: I'll take pictures of my taillight fix and post them

[carnutzzz]

Do a search on my name- this has been discussed. You really don't need to use "original" fasteners- replacing with u-nuts works very well and much easier.

[carnutzzz]

I'll make it real easy for ya...

Yes, remove the housings to install new gasket. Here are the steps (assuming you've already removed lens):

1. Apply blue masking tape to all painted surfaces around the housing (especially bumper)
2. Drill out screws with titanium bit
2.5 Remove drainplug (mine broke)
3. Carefully pull housings toward you
4. Use compressed air to blow away 9 lbs of boulders and grit
5. Use water hose if no compressed air
6. Bend half of retaining clip enough so you can remove the "cage" and nut from the fender tab.
7. Slide new #8 U-nut (find at any auto parts store) onto tab
8. Shine flashlight around inside body cavity and inspect for rust or debris.
9. Clean outside edges of housing of all old gasket.
10. Slide housing back into place and practice fit with #8 screws (checking U-nut alignment)
11. Unscrew and carefully pull housings toward you
12. Wrap new gasket around housings (helps to enlist a friend)
13. Slide back into place.
14. Screw into place watching for gasket binding on any surfaces
15. Remove all bulbs and inspect/replace.
16. Carefully screw-in new lens- not very tight! They can crack easy!
17. Remove blue tape.

[Dkennel]

Thanks for the fast and detailed response.

You guys rock!!!

[Dkennel]

img src="http://bestanimations.com/Transport/Cars/Porsche/Porsche-01-june.gif"

[FrayAdjacent911]

Here's an interesting situation... I had problems pulling the taillamp housings from my coupe to transplant to Stinky. Had to drill all four screws out.

The housings were not so great, but not so bad. The driver's side had been painted black at some point, and was missing the correct side marker lamp and the plastic diffuser, so the guys that found the car let me have the original housing. When I got the driver's side one on Stinky, using the lenses from the coupe, the inside end of the lense does not meet the gasket. There's about 1/4" gap, and the lense is bottomed out against the housing.

Is there a difference between a '69 Targa's lamp housing and a '70 coupe's lense?