PortlandRL

I was perusing a detailing forum that discussed cleaning between the 3rd brake light and the rear window and how difficult it is. Well this reminded me that over the past three years or so, the RL's plastics have off-gassed in that small contained space and now it is all hazy and dirty on that side of the window.

Does anybody have any ideas as to how to maybe pull that trim away so I can clean the window in there? It's driving me nuts.

Thanks.

woodek

My 06 had dirt etc between the glass and brake light housing and all I did was pry between the housing and the headliner with my fingers. It popped right off.

Just watch for the clips and how they fit into the housing, in case they fall off. There should be 4.

Snaps right back on too.

PortlandRL

Excellent...thank you for the help, sir.

Chas2

If you have them, pics please.

I always end up breaking everything I try to pry off. Makes me leery of try changing interior bulbs to LEDs because of the covers I have broken off in the past.

Thanks

PortlandRL

Thanks for your advice, man. I just did the deed...took 30 seconds to pop it off, clean, and re-fit. Man the glass in there gets NASTY!! Paper towel came off black.

Good call on the metal clips...one of mine did pop off but thankfully it popped right back in.

afjock21

Chas I got the same problem.. I basically ripped off a white piece from my trunk liner after trying to simply un-snap it from the trunk.

I will take a look at this however, but however, will think twice before attempting as I don't need the headliner to be half down cuz I broke off the snappy thing and pay to have fixed and wait to get my car back and take work off.

woodek

Dude. Its WAaay easier than it sounds. Just watch the little clips (4) and pay attention to which way they go back in (even if they DO fall out).

BTW..... The clips (and the brake light housing) have nothing to do with supporting the headliner.

PortlandRL

The piece is totally separate from the headliner. You don't have to worry about that...this is truly an easy snap-off, snap-on operation.

afjock21

Hmmm... so you're saying there's a chance? I can't screw this up and be sittin in my garage/driveway

PortlandRL

The RL is my dad's car...when I was younger I had a career in accidentally breaking things off my dad's cars and was forbidden from doing it in the future. This 3rd brake light trim is one of three items I actually feel comfortable removing from the vehicle. The other two are the engine cover and the door scuff sills.

If you are really still nervous about it, I'll post a video on how easy it actually is. This operation is virtually impossible to screw up.

afjock21

Hmmm, the other two things are fairly easy, although never have I done it.. I'll try pulling it off later today to get that smudge off the window...

lland

Go for it.

After reading this, I figured I'd take mine off and get that dead bug that's been bothering me for a month out of there. I'ts as easy as stated. Gently pull down and it pops right off. I started at one side and pulled straight down. A couple of inches of the rubber gasket came off on one side but it slides right back on. Two clips came off but they're simple to pop right back on.

Putting it back is also easy as it pretty much aligns itself and with a gentle push, pops snugly back in place.

LL

TampaRLX-SH

sounds like a job for a crowbar and hammer?

lland

If you wanted to tackle it from the outside of the car, that would be the way to go.

LL

afjock21

Well, that was easy.

It was a very comfortable experience dealing with gettin at the 3rd brake light.. I was pretty pumped that it went so well... Kinda like when I replaced the cabin air filter the other day, that was comfortable and satisfying....

I can get something done without damaging it, sweet.

woodek

So easy a caveman can do it! See?

PortlandRL

I resent that statement.

Gimpies-Daddy

Well, I had never thought or had any problems with my third brake light, until yesterday. I unfortunately hit a patch of rough road, and the 3rd brake light cover came loose, hanging upside down by two of the clips. I pulled over, popped it back in, and went on my way. It fell down again a few miles later. I've checked the clips, and they all seem to be there, intact. I used a screwdriver to adjust the clips a little wider, and I popped it all back in. It was still loose - less loose, but still loose.

​​​​It held for about a day, but the whole 3rd brake light cover fell off this morning. I see that it has some kind of sticky silicone type stuff inside. How should I reattach it, without glue, so that I can remove it in the future? The clips on the cover and the female retainers inside the housing all seem to be intact.