Tail lamp access, '69 Vixen

Tail lamp access, '69 Vixen

Author
Discussion

bergxu

Original Poster:

381 posts

158 months

Sunday 4th December 2016
quotequote all
Gentlemen,

I need to remove the tail lamp assemblies on my 69 vixen in order to install new gaskets I have purchased. Can anyone advise on how to access the hold down nuts? Does not appear there is anyway to get at them from underneath or through a wheel arch so it looks like some trim from inside the car needs to be removed in order to gain access?

chris52

1,560 posts

184 months

Sunday 4th December 2016
quotequote all
There are 4 nuts that need to be removed all are behind the trim in the rear of the car. They are a very odd size and the studs break easily I think a 9mm spanner just about fits them.
Chris
Edit to say if they do break Adrian Venn has some in stock.

P100

619 posts

207 months

Sunday 4th December 2016
quotequote all
Rather than attempt to fit my portly frame through the roll cage and spare wheel area, I removed the rear screen and the access was really easy !
I agree the retaining bolts are brittle, but i doused mine in releasing oil before removal, and had no breakages.
Like you I wanted to fit new gaskets, but also fitted new bulb holders from a Land Rover discovery by slighlty modifying the rear of the lamps.
To brighten the bodies up, I also sprayed them with a bright silver paint to help the reflective properties.

The rear screens are not to difficult to put back in if you have the right tools.
Roy

Moto

1,240 posts

254 months

Sunday 4th December 2016
quotequote all
Roy,

I'm planning to take my rear screen out to fit new light gaskets also. My reason also being that my rear screen leaks very slightly in one corner when washing, as the specialist screen fitting company I used to fit it 4 years ago did a crap job. They used no sealant at all saying that it shouldn't be used. I've since been told that it should.

What sealant do you use? Do you use between glass & rubber, rubber and body, or both? Does yours leak at all?

Oh and presumably it's the same method for the front screen?

Thx

Moto


Dollyman1850

6,318 posts

251 months

Sunday 4th December 2016
quotequote all
Use Sikaflex type Polyeurethane sealant (PU7)

It is best to fit screen then inject a bead between rubber and body and a bead Glass to rubber. Then fit the spreader trim.
I recommend buying the proper Sealey tool which has the spreader opener and the roller. This makes fitting the spreader trim 10 times simpler

I taped around body and also around glass to rubber then you can finger smooth, leave 5 mins and remove the tapes to make a perfect job.

N.

bergxu

Original Poster:

381 posts

158 months

Sunday 4th December 2016
quotequote all
Thanks for the replies, guys. I'm not going to remove the rear screen as I am in the USA and if, God forbid, it were to break, getting a replacement here is going to be a royal pain in the ass so I reckon I'll be wriggling through the passenger compartment in order to get the lamps out!

P100

619 posts

207 months

Sunday 4th December 2016
quotequote all
Hi Moto,
As Neil has said, I used Sika flex PU7 and then fitted the spreader trim.

If you havent got one Ebay is your friend for about £3.
I also used the opportunity to ensure a better seal between the lamp and body as the fit was atrocious .

I was hoping it would stop the fumes from entering into the car, but alas I must look a little further.

Let us know how you get on, if you need to, email me.

Roy

Moto

1,240 posts

254 months

Sunday 4th December 2016
quotequote all
Thx chaps. Sikaflex PU7 it is then. I've got the trim spreader tooly thing from last time. As you say 10 times easier.

Moto

RFC1

1,107 posts

198 months

Sunday 4th December 2016
quotequote all
bergxu said:
Thanks for the replies, guys. I'm not going to remove the rear screen as I am in the USA and if, God forbid, it were to break, getting a replacement here is going to be a royal pain in the ass so I reckon I'll be wriggling through the passenger compartment in order to get the lamps out!
Whip out the passenger seat, makes life much easier to access the rear space!