Broken rear light cluster mounts on 996? Known problem?

[Namor]

I've owned my 2002 996 from new with less than 21,000 miles and no track use. Just noticed that all 4 of the plastic fixtures holding 2x rear light clusters have fractured and broken. So the lights are no longer secure except for the hinge in the corner but they still illiminute and function perfectly. I wondered whether anyone knows if I need to replace the entire rear light cluster or can the mounts on the lights be changed? I'm hoping this is a known issue on 996?
Many thanks for any help you can provide.

[IBM9000]

It's a fairly common thing. Most people glue in washers with Araldite or repair it with glue / plastic bits. It's only seen when the bootlid is open.

Otherwise, it's a new rear light. You can't buy the bits separately.

If you search on 911uk you'll see a few topics about people having broken plastic bits.

http://911uk.com/viewtopic.php?t=89252&highlig...

[Jibaro]

Hi, a poster on rennlist has designed a solution, and they are available via ebay, he has called them "Light Savers". I bought a set for my car recently, they're simple and effective.
http://rennlist.com/forums/996-turbo-forum/709017-...

[chriscoates81]

Mine are gone as well but I don't fancy paying 500 quid a side for some new lights. I've seen that guys solution when I noticed mine were gone, I suspect it's a metal plate that covers the wholes as that's what I'm thinking of doing, why it wasn't alloy or steel to start with I don't know.

[Namor]

brilliant many thanks guys. I fear I'll be buying 2 new rear lights as my mounts are completely broken and much of the plastic has fallen out. Its frustrating when you know the new lights will break in just the same way. I guess Porsche aren't sufficiently interested to design a better version.

[Jibaro]

The light savers (which are plastic rather than metal) should work even if you have no mounts holes left as they run along the length of the plastic from top to bottom. Alternatively there is a product called Plastex which will enable you to rebuild the mount holes if you are "handy with crafts and stuff" (I'm not so got the light savers instead!)
Not really worth the huge expense of buying new lamps which have the same problem built in, as you rightly point out. The after market LED lights are cheaper but aren't everyone's cup of tea..