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Old 08-29-2021, 02:46 PM   #1
Ramblin Reck
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Default Removing 1157 Light Bulb in Tailight

A simple task like this is proving to be a major headache. Got the lens and chrome edging off no problem. The bulb is stubborn. I push in and turned to left CC but to no avail. Sprayed PB Blaster. It wiggles now a little, very little but still won't come out. Suggestions needed!
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Old 08-29-2021, 02:49 PM   #2
Mart
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Default Re: Removing 1157 Light Bulb in Tailight

Be careful, if you try too hard the glass will smash and you can cut your fingers. My dad did this when I was a kid.
If necessary break the bulb and use pliers or whatever you can to get the remnants out.
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Old 08-29-2021, 02:59 PM   #3
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Default Re: Removing 1157 Light Bulb in Tailight

Here is a trick that works for me. I learned it after breaking one of those bulbs and driving shards of glass deep into my fingers. Cut a short piece of rubber heater hose that will fit tight onto the bulb and use it as a twisting tool to remove the bulb. Works great for me.
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Old 08-29-2021, 03:27 PM   #4
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Default Re: Removing 1157 Light Bulb in Tailight

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Be careful, if you try too hard the glass will smash and you can cut your fingers. My dad did this when I was a kid.
If necessary break the bulb and use pliers or whatever you can to get the remnants out.

Thanks!
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Old 08-29-2021, 03:39 PM   #5
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Default Re: Removing 1157 Light Bulb in Tailight

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Here is a trick that works for me. I learned it after breaking one of those bulbs and driving shards of glass deep into my fingers. Cut a short piece of rubber heater hose that will fit tight onto the bulb and use it as a twisting tool to remove the bulb. Works great for me.

Thanks
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Old 08-29-2021, 03:46 PM   #6
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Default Re: Removing 1157 Light Bulb in Tailight

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Quote:
Originally Posted by RalphG View Post
Here is a trick that works for me. I learned it after breaking one of those bulbs and driving shards of glass deep into my fingers. Cut a short piece of rubber heater hose that will fit tight onto the bulb and use it as a twisting tool to remove the bulb. Works great for me.
==============================================



That is what I do too to get out stubborn bulbs, and if the
glass bulb alone twists out, then I'll use a small vise grip
and twist out the brass base.




.
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Old 08-29-2021, 05:04 PM   #7
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Default Re: Removing 1157 Light Bulb in Tailight

break the glass, then go in with a needle nose pliers and wind it up like a sardine can lid
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Old 08-29-2021, 05:20 PM   #8
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Default Re: Removing 1157 Light Bulb in Tailight

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break the glass, then go in with a needle nose pliers and wind it up like a sardine can lid
That's the way I do it, brut force.
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Old 08-29-2021, 09:24 PM   #9
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Default Re: Removing 1157 Light Bulb in Tailight

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break the glass, then go in with a needle nose pliers and wind it up like a sardine can lid
Yes so do I. Put on a good pair of leather gloves and wind it up!!
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Old 08-29-2021, 10:02 PM   #10
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Default Re: Removing 1157 Light Bulb in Tailight

cas 3 got it right. Then use an LED bulb.
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Old 08-29-2021, 11:10 PM   #11
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Default Re: Removing 1157 Light Bulb in Tailight

And, after you clean up the socket, put some vasolene or some other grease of your choice on the new bulb so the next guy wont have to fight with it
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Old 09-01-2021, 08:03 AM   #12
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Default Re: Removing 1157 Light Bulb in Tailight

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Originally Posted by Ramblin Reck View Post
A simple task like this is proving to be a major headache. Got the lens and chrome edging off no problem. The bulb is stubborn. I push in and turned to left CC but to no avail. Sprayed PB Blaster. It wiggles now a little, very little but still won't come out. Suggestions needed!

GOTERDONE! Broke glass, twisted out with needle nose pliers, inserted new bulb, unplugged light fixture from car wiring and removed and started testing. Light had faint glow from car wires. Reinstalled and Wha-la!, everything works when plugged back in! Previous installer failed to push in plugs all the way. Should have checked first. Anyhow Problem Solved! Lessons learned! 100% legal and safer now operating with two brake lights!.
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Old 09-01-2021, 09:06 AM   #13
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Default Re: Removing 1157 Light Bulb in Tailight

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GOTERDONE! Broke glass, twisted out with needle nose pliers, inserted new bulb, unplugged light fixture from car wiring and removed and started testing. Light had faint glow from car wires. Reinstalled and Wha-la!, everything works when plugged back in! Previous installer failed to push in plugs all the way. Should have checked first. Anyhow Problem Solved! Lessons learned! 100% legal and safer now operating with two brake lights!.
The reason you got the "faint glow" was because the shell of the lamp wasn't grounded. Current traveled through the tail light filament, then the brake light filament, across to the other side of the car, through that brake light filament and finally to ground. Whew!
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Old 09-01-2021, 10:08 AM   #14
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Default Re: Removing 1157 Light Bulb in Tailight

I'm a ground wire nut. I always add a separate ground wire back to the main battery ground for bulb sockets and other electrical components. Using the base of electrical components as a ground works AS LONG AS there is a good circuit through the body/frame back to a battery ground. If there is a poor or weak body/frame ground, the bulbs may be dim or the electrical components may not work properly.
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Old 09-01-2021, 10:44 AM   #15
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Default Re: Removing 1157 Light Bulb in Tailight

Bust it! Then use the pliers. Only sure way. Then add a dab of dielectric grease to the new base
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Old 09-01-2021, 12:21 PM   #16
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Default Re: Removing 1157 Light Bulb in Tailight

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Originally Posted by Ramblin Reck View Post
GOTERDONE! Broke glass, twisted out with needle nose pliers, inserted new bulb, unplugged light fixture from car wiring and removed and started testing. Light had faint glow from car wires. Reinstalled and Wha-la!, everything works when plugged back in! Previous installer failed to push in plugs all the way. Should have checked first. Anyhow Problem Solved! Lessons learned! 100% legal and safer now operating with two brake lights!.
Good job!
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Old 09-02-2021, 07:36 AM   #17
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Default Re: Removing 1157 Light Bulb in Tailight

take a piece of duct tape and wrap it around the bulb. Flatten the excess at the top and you have something to grab onto that is not glass. Really handy when you cannot get your fingers on the bulb.
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Old 09-02-2021, 12:21 PM   #18
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Default Re: Removing 1157 Light Bulb in Tailight

Good idea ^^^ ,and sometimes the glass globe will just twist off, no mess, then reach for the needle nose pliers
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Old 09-02-2021, 01:40 PM   #19
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Default Re: Removing 1157 Light Bulb in Tailight

I wear leather welding gloves
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