Running light repair....

[Ooooner]

I have removed my lower running light "cans" so I can have them re-chromed along with the outside housing ring that holds the amber light lens in place. The question I have is, how do I removed the chrome ring from the light socket and lens? I noticed that it is being held in place by four "push on washers" on the four prongs from the ring. I tried to nudge them with a screwdriver but they would not budge. I don't want to snap the prongs off or mess anything up since this is all original.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[BQS4]

Roy;
Those are just push on type of washers, if you look up AU-VE-CO in a google search, they may have a store near you. They handle all the weird little auto type fastners.
Gene
www.auveco.com

[opelnut10]

I have had success using two hooked picks and pry on both ends at the same time and work them up off the pegs. Usually they break into in the middle which is ok too because they have to be replaced any way. Just take your time and work them up slowly so as not to break the pegs.

[opelnut10]

DO NOT try to use needle nose or regular pliers to get them off, you will only make them tighter and harder to get off, and you WILL break the pegs.

[Ooooner]

Thanks for the tips on getting the "push on washers" off. I just happen to have a couple of hooked picks to try what you said to do. I think patience is one of the keys to this one!
Gene, I will try to find the replacement push on washers from the site you mentioned.
Again, thanks...

[baronbors]

See if you can find a store called Bap-Geon. They carry mostly import car stuff- I found mine there

[markandson]

I practiced on a can that I did not care about, and it is VERY difficult to get those little suckers off without breaking one of the pins. So far I have one good ring that could be rechromed. I kept one set of pretty good chrome rings intact and I am messing with the others that I have. In my case I just used aluminum oxide blasting media on the cans themselves and painted them black. Good Luck.

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by Ooooner lower running light "cans" so I can have them re-chromed along with the outside housing ring that holds the amber light lens in place. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Roy,

First of all they aren't "running lights" although it seems alot of people believe it is okay to use them instead of headlights when it is near dusk.

Secondly, someone correct me if I'm wrong, but your cans aren't supposed to be chrome just the rings/bezels. Opel only did that on the earlier models.

If I don't give you a hard time who will.

Harold

[Ooooner]

Harold,
I know they aren't technically "running lights" but I didn't know what else to call them. Actually, they are my turn signals and are on whenever I have the parking lights on as well. What would you call them?
I guess I will be taking my time and working on these things. I think you are right about the "cans" not being chromed. I think they were originally a greyish color with the outside ring being chrome. But while I have it all apart, I figured, why not get the cans chromed, too! I think it would look better....

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by Ooooner Harold, I know they aren't technically "running lights" but I didn't know what else to call them. why not get the cans chromed, too! I think it would look better....

Not sure either. I think they're usually referred to as parking lights but in the GT's case depending on the year they may only be directional lights. Hope you didn't take offense you just gave me an opportunity to vent about people running around with parking lights on instead of headlight. I think while I'm there I'll mention those driving around with foglights on when there is no fog, out of adjustment foglights, and just for the heck of it driving lights when they aren't needed or are inappropriate because of other traffic. Man I feel better, thanks!

I figured you knew they weren't originally chromed but thought I would mention.


Harold

[namba209]

Originally Posted by hrcollinsjr you just gave me an opportunity to vent about people running around with parking lights on instead of headlight. I think while I'm there I'll mention those driving around with foglights on when there is no fog, out of adjustment foglights, and just for the heck of it driving lights when they aren't needed or are inappropriate because of other traffic. Man I feel better, thanks! Harold

Harold, here in CA it is against the law to drive with only parking lites, they have to run headlites or no lites. Just passed into law is the requirement to have the headlites on if the windshield wipers are on. One neat thing about the fog lites on newer cars I've noted, they go out when you switch to hi-beams. Now if there was just a sensor that would turn them off if there is no fog.

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by namba209 Harold, here in CA it is against the law to drive with only parking lites, they have to run headlites or no lites. Just passed into law is the requirement to have the headlites on if the windshield wipers are on. One neat thing about the fog lites on newer cars I've noted, they go out when you switch to hi-beams. Now if there was just a sensor that would turn them off if there is no fog.

Ron,

We've had lights on if it's raining law for awhile in TN, it helps. If people followed the instructions on fog light installation they could only be used be used with the low beams.

It's a shame these people couldn't meet others like themselves so they could experience being blinded.

Harold

[namba209]

Originally Posted by hrcollinsjr It's a shame these people couldn't meet others like themselves so they could experience being blinded. Harold

Yeah, I hear you Harold. My biggest complaint is with the jacked up P/U with a whole gang of lites below the fender and on top of a non-functional roll bar. P/Us are o.k. for what they were intended for, but here in SoCal they rate along with the SUV, none are gonna be used off the road. It's a status thing, I guess.

[sawdust]

Can someone tell me how to remove the Red Marker lites.
Do I use a sledge hammer or a screw driver??

[namba209]

For a start use a Phillips screwdriver and remove the tailights. Then if your arms are small enuff, you can reach inside with an 8mm wrench and take out the two nuts that hold the brackets that hold the lite to the body. BTW the lite assembly comes out from the outside of the car. HTH.

[sawdust]

I didn't think about the removeing the tail lite. But, however, it appears that the PO removed/lost that bracket and I think the housings are GLUED in.
Looks like I got more parts to lok for.
Thanks for the come back.

[tomking]

I have brackets for that. PM me with your address and I will mail you the brackets. You can mail me the postage.