Broken Tail Light Bolts

[sonny]

Anyone discovered a good way to remove bolts broken inside the tail light housing ( the ones that hold the lens cover on) - I have three broken ones in my lights - thanks, Sonny

[wesk]

by Cuz » Thu Jan 21, 2010 7:45 pm
There is only one real way to do it. Set the light up in a drill press using an empty clean threaded hole for press alignment then drill the screw out as close to it's threads as possible and remove the remainder with a easy out. The square type tend to work best. Chase the internal threads with the appropriate thread chaser.

When you put steel screws in those aluminum housings it is best to put some anti-sieze on the threads to prevent that from happening.

[captw]

you are right on the money, as usual, Wes...I bought a bunch of lights off of ebay...all of them had seized bolts....I wiggled, sprayed with penetrating oil, tapped, and was able to get them all out...chased the threads and then put them back together with lead base antiseize...great stuff!...Wilf

[sonny]

Thanks guys - I was afraid that was the only way - you can bet they will go back together with aniti-seize

[sonny]

Thanks to previous posts, I drilled all 3 of my broken bolts out. Two turned out great but one I had to re-tap the hole. Anyway, my housings are saved and I appreciate the help - Sonny