Tail light guards

ObedaTJ

ObedaTJ

TJ Enthusiast
Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 1, 2018
Messages
319
Location
New York
Okay so I got these tail light covers and I installed one side which was easy as hell but I ran into a problem on the left side.

How would I go about doing something to this?

image.jpg
 
Are you referring to the rusted bolts? If you can't get a socket on them, I'd pin-punch the center and drill them out. Soak 'em in PB Blaster and use ez-outs. Replace the lights with new - Stock TJ taillights are pretty cheap.
 
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RubiconMike said:
Are you referring to the rusted bolts? If you can't get a socket on them, I'd pin-punch the center and drill them out. Soak 'em in PB Blaster and use ez-outs. Replace the lights with new - Stock TJ taillights are pretty cheap.
Click to expand...
Yes the rusted bolts. I want to replace them but there is other stuff more important at the moment.
 
I'd get a small tooth brush size wire brush on them ..PB soak them and get a socket on them suckers....there not usually that tight.
A Jeep wreckers should have replacements for peanuts.
 
Use penetrating oil and buy/borrow a specialty socket for rounded bolts like grip-tite or an extractor socket that bites into the bolt head. Your local hardware or auto store should carry them and like any tool, they come in a wide variety of quality/price. You should be able to get by on the cheap end.

For specific tools and how to videos:

https://www.google.com/search?ei=BW...2......0....1..gws-wiz.......0i71.jNvVzeAMVIA
 
Definitely let them soak a few days before using the stripped bolt/nut extrators on them. I have a Craftsman set that I've had for years. Those things dig in and hold tight. You don't want to break the bolt heads off. It would still be possible to get them out, but a lot harder. I'd hit them some penetrating oil like previously mentioned 2 or 3 times a day for a couple days.

FYI, the factory bolt thread size is kind of an oddball size, 12-24 thread, in case you want to replace them.
 
Do they go into rivnuts in the body? (I haven't worked on my tail lights yet)
If they do, you could grind the heads off to access the riv nut in the body, then drive out and replace the riv nut.
I'm going thru the same thing underneath with the mopar rock slider install right now.

PS: I've got shit that has had KROIL sprayed on it every time its on the hoist since April and it won't break loose.
 
Another option would be to take a cut off wheel and make a flat screwdriver slot. Sometimes an manual impact driver will get them moving.
 
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It might be hard to get a dremel tool or similar inside there though. Cutting a slot would be helpful though.
 
Farmergreg said:
Do they go into rivnuts in the body? (I haven't worked on my tail lights yet)
If they do, you could grind the heads off to access the riv nut in the body, then drive out and replace the riv nut.
I'm going thru the same thing underneath with the mopar rock slider install right now.

PS: I've got shit that has had KROIL sprayed on it every time its on the hoist since April and it won't break loose.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure the tail lights are bolted into regular threaded holes in some structural metal, not with rivnuts. The bolts for the tail lights are not that big and should not be torqued too tight, you just need something that will bite hard enough on the bolt head to break the corrosion. Penetrating oil should work, and maybe a few taps on the bolt head to transfer a little shock, but not enough to do damage.

As far as the rivnuts in the frame, the only way I know to remove defective ones is to grind off the outer flange and punch them into the frame. Should not matter if the bolt is in or out, just more grinding with the bolt in.
 
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