1968 tail light bulb sockets

[cool68]

tell me me how do you free up the tail light bulb socket springs? mine are frozen

 

[whodat]

I had the same problem. One was so bad that I pushed the socket through and it was a royal pain in the butt to get the bulb in. Maybe others have a remedy for you. But you can try lectra clean.

 

[stangfan]

I've had very good luck with WD-40. Get the bulb out and shoot some in there and work the spring with a screwdriver. If the springs are really bad, give the WD a bit of time to penetrate before you go after it.

This has worked for me on a number of occasions.

 

[Mosesatm]

It also helps to use a tool like a dental pick to get under the contacts, or even try needle nose pliers to grab them and pull them free. Once you have the springs extended spray a bunch more WD40 to clean out all that rusty gunk.

IMHO if one is stuck it's most likely time to remove the tail light panel and rebuild all of them.

 

[dalorzo_f]

Found this stuff a while ago, all I can say is everything I have used it on has either been pre-treated by a PO with anti-seize, or it just works really well.... never going back to WD-40 after the results I've had with this....

http://www.armchairracer.com.au/too...reducteur-h-72-prevents-rust-forming-on-metal

 

[Ruppstang]

I have been down this road before, if the springs have been very rusty you might as well buy a new panel harness. Once they have been rusted they seem to loose their strength or break.

 

[robert campbell]

+1 to Marty. Time to refurbish all the sockets and add am individual ground wire to each socket to ensure a firm ground point. You will be happy you spent the time. If you are not a total purist you can source the sockets from a local Napa store. Very little in cost and some labor to make it right.

Rob