Hi there,

I've got a '10 plate 500 1.3 Multijet Diesel and I am unable to remove the rear lights in order to change the bulbs. Tried with a socket instead of a screwdriver as many places suggest but it just spins around and still gets nowhere.

Any suggestions?

Many Thanks

My first guess would be to pull the trim on the inside of the boot to see if you can see what they go into and try and hold it? Or Try prizing the unit outwards at the same time as turning?
This simple fault could get a bit of an issue to resolve.

Its a little hexagonal bolt. I have a cheapo toolkit that happens to have one in. It's acbolt head rather than a screw even though it looks like a screw.

typecastboy said:

Its a little hexagonal bolt. I have a cheapo toolkit that happens to have one in. It's acbolt head rather than a screw even though it looks like a screw.

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I think what he's saying is that the bolt heads turn but don't unscrew, suggesting they are both stripped, or that whatever they screw into is either turning or similarly stripped?

John202020 said:

I think what he's saying is that the bolt heads turn but don't unscrew, suggesting they are both stripped, or that whatever they screw into is either turning or similarly stripped?

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Oh I see. Surely if they were sheared it would lift straight off.

John202020 said:

My first guess would be to pull the trim on the inside of the boot to see if you can see what they go into and try and hold it? Or Try prizing the unit outwards at the same time as turning?
This simple fault could get a bit of an issue to resolve.

Click to expand...

From what I can see on my car the bolts screw into a metal 'plug' that's been fixed into the sheet metal from outside, not unlike a trim clip. That's possibly what's spinning - in the bodywork. Access from behind consists of just a small hole, maybe 20mm wide. If you get a finger in there you should be able to tell if the whole thing's turning with the bolt but I've no idea how to fix it.

Note to self; Never over-tighten the tail-light bolts.

Piccolo Nero e Bella said:

From what I can see on my car the bolts screw into a metal 'plug' that's been fixed into the sheet metal from outside, not unlike a trim clip. That's possibly what's spinning - in the bodywork.

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That's what I wondered, if that is the case this is quite an issue, a hammer from behind through the hole could punch the metal threaded part out(permanently!)

If its so tight or rusted the outer metal part is spinning I cant see much else than to place a spanner over the bolt head and drill it out, that at least allows you to remove the light unit for better access, the issue being once the bolt head is off, the remaining part will then turn with the drill bit?
I would be tempted to cover the rear of the bolts inside the boot with lots of quality epxoy once cured either drill out further, or drill a smaller hole and use a stainless self tapper(with care!) and suitable washers to the hold the light in place?

How about forcing a thin spark park gap tool between the light and the bodywork and see if you can put pressure on the thread housing to stop it from turning. If I remember rightly last time I took one off, they do protrude slightly.

Thanks for all your replies.

Honestly whoever had the car before me bodged everything and definitely has over tightened them!

Unable to grip it behind to stop it turning, might be a drill out job! Got a guy who can put new rivnuts in and not over tighten them!

EmmaDu said:

Honestly whoever had the car before me bodged everything and definitely has over tightened them!

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Sadly it's a common mistake. Novice mechanics are far more likely to overtighten than undertighten.

Might pay everyone to take the bolts out grease them and carefully replace them?

They are often quite tight. I think the weather must get in there. I've had to put some welly in to get them undone before.

The plugs appear to be diecast zinc or similar and the bolts might tend to bind. Regular removal may benefit them and also give one a chance to clean behind the taillight.

As to over-tightening, I think the modern reliance on power tools has a lot to answer for, removing the 'feel' for when a bolt is properly fastened.