My 97 TL got hit in the driver's side rear corner and the tail light got smashed in pretty bad. I ordered a replacement off of ebay but seeing as to how I've never worked on a TL before.. I may need some help from you guys.

I've heard that all it takes is the removal of the carpet lining and 4 metric bolts? I've also got a gnarly dent on the bumper.. how hard is it to press/push that out?

Keep in mind I'm pretty broke right now so this is all DIY.

 

assembly.

Rear Bumper

Replacement

CAUTION: Wear gloves to remove and install the rear
bumper.

NOTE:
An assistant is helpful when removing the rear bumper.
Take care not to scratch the rear bumper and body.
Open the trunk lid.
1. Remove the screws and clip from each side.

GROMMET
REAR
BUMPER

2. Remove the clips, then remove the rear bumper.

REAR BUMPER
REAR BUMPER
CLIP

3. Pull the trunk side trim back, then remove the nut
from the trunk area on each side.
4. Remove the nuts from under the rear floor on each
side, then remove the absorber and rear bumper
beam. Remove the nuts, then remove the rear bumper
upper beam.

8 x 1.25 mm

22 N-m (2.2 kgf-m,
16 Ibf-ft)

6 x 1.0 mm

9.8 N-m (1.0 kgf-m,
7.2 Ibf-ft)
INNER
CLIP

NUT

REAR BUMPER
UPPER BEAM
REAR BUMPER
BEAM

5. Installation is the reverse of the removal procedure.
NOTE:
If necessary, replace any damaged clips.
When installing the trunk side trim, install the
clips as follows.
a. Pull the inner clip up as shown.

INNER
CLIP

b. Install the clip in the trunk side trim, then push the
inner clip until it's flush.

INNER CLIP
CLIP

Make sure the rear bumper engages the side
clips and hooks on each side securely.

SIDE
CLIPS
REAR BUMPER
UPPER BEAM
REAR
BUMPER
ABSORBER
HOOKS
TRUNK
SIDE

TRIM

Sorry if this is sketchy, but I don't know how to poat the whole picture. I think I'd try to get the bumper skin off to try to get the dent out of it.

 

The tail light might give you some trouble but it's really not that bad. You pull back the carpet lining, unplug a few connectors, and take out 4 bolts. It should come out, however my taillight was stuck to the seal that was stuck to the car so I could not move the light for the life of me. The trick is to take some towel and a sharp, flat object (knife, chisel) and pry it against the car covering the body with a towel not to scratch anything. If you do it carefully the light will come out without any problems. Also once you take the old light out you will need to replace the seal before putting the new light in.
If you want to take the bumper out you pretty much need to take the tail lights out but other than that it's pretty easy. It takes a lot to crack these bumpers so you should be able to push the dent back without cracking the bumper, but I don't know if you'll be able to restore it completely to its original position.

 

Sounds easy enough. Thanks guys!