Tail Light Repair Advice?

[markinLA]

My partner was backing around in a parking lot and managed to jam a yellow 4" steel and concrete post into the tail light on the driver's side. The dealer wants $275 for the lens (plastic color parts) and another couple of hundred for installation. Frankly their prices seem beyond outrageous. The only part injured is the plastic colored lens portion which is shattered. All pieces of it, top, middle, insert, and bottom. The inside silver plastic lamp holder assembly is not hurt at all. The lens seems to be attached with some sort of glue! It's not screwed on! Does the assembly the dealer sells include the holder portion as a "unit"? or do they charge $200 for taking off the old glue and replacing it with fresh glue?

Is this a part a reasonably bright owner can replace themselves? If so, how? The truth is I'm making payments of close to a grand a month on this beast (short term almost no interest financing but still paying off a car of this price in less than 36 months puts the payment up there) and I don't need nor can I easily afford, another $500 hit to the dealer if I can avoid it!

BTW: this lens seems to be very thin and flimsy. Is this just their way of getting you to buy the metal guards they sell? And if so, which ones should I be buying to prevent another broken tail light lens next time round?

Don't mean to be a pain in the neck, but I need an answer and recommendations FAST. In LA I can drive this thing about two days with a broken tail light assembly before I get fix-it tickets, etc. Thanks. Oh, if it helps, I'm in the LA area (WEHO).

Looking forward to the collective wisdom and experience of this group being able to save me some of the screw-them-after-the-sale prices that the dealer normally offers.http://www.landroverworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif

Thanks,

Mark In LA

 

[Roverine]

You may find a cheaper part on Ebay. The installation can't be that hard. My bet is you'll have to get a whole new tail light as the plastic cover is likely not available separately. As for how to do it, I haven't looked, but I'd open the tailgate and look for screws to get it off, or check the Global Technical Reference (here: http://www.landrovertechinfo.com/extfree2viewlrprod/index.jsp ) if you want to see the shop manual.

 

[davez26]

The tail light comes as a complete unit. While there are small parts, they are "components" that the manufacturer uses to build the entire thing, and are not available seperately. $275 is an average price, you could shop it a little. Greenleaf Nevada is a salvage outfit I use sometimes when price is an object (1-800-487-9544). That labor is insane!
Instructions from GTR:
Rear Lamp Assembly (86.40.70)
Removal
1 . Open the liftgate and tailgate.
2 . CAUTION: Always protect paintwork and glass when removing exterior components.
Remove the rear lamp assembly. Remove the 2 screws.
Release the 2 clips.
Disconnect the electrical connector.
3 . NOTE:
Do not disassemble further if the component is removed for access only.
NOTE:
Note the fitted position.
Remove the wiring harness. Release the wiring harness from the 2 clips.
Release the 6 bulb holders.
Release the electrical connector.
Installation
1 . Install the wiring harness. Install the 6 bulb holders.
Install the electrical connector.
Secure the wiring harness in the clips.
2 . Install the rear lamp assembly. Connect the electrical connector.
Secure with the 2 clips.
Tighten the screws.
3 . Close the tailgates
If you can handle screwdriver operations, you can do this.
The lamps are pretty good. Yeah I've got the guards, but my wheeling buddy doesn't and no issues. The lamps will always lose up against a concrete post though. I don't think the guards are a requirement, just look out for bright yellow concrete posts. Those ones on the drivers side are the tricky ones.
As for the dealer rant, some are that way, but we prefer repeat business over robbing someone...

 

[grommet]

Yep, changing the full light assembly is no worse than swapping out one of the light bulbs. No problem.