Help <trailer guys>

[bushpilot]

Ok just picked up my trailer and DAMM man someone managed
to bump the flush mounted tail light (not damaged but...)

i cant get the f'in LIGHT back in the hole w/ the gasket...
i used some slippery "stuff" (tire shine) and i cant for the life
of me figure out what the secret is...

if i put the gasket in and then TRY to press the light in the dam
gasket slips in (past the lip) TOO...-mad

if i put the light in the gasket and then try to push the SET
thru the hole the freekin light slips thru...or the gasket slips past
at some edge...frustrating as hell !

whats the deal to getting these flush mounted lights/gaskets back in
their hole ??

 

[Scooter]

This is the way I do it, not that it is the right way, but it is a way. I put the gasket on the light. I take the whole thing and put it through the hole, and then take teh outer flange of the gasket and work it around so that is holding the light in. They are a pain, but better than having to just do a bulb.

Another way that I have seen is that you put the gasket in, and then work teh bulb in, and sort of stretch the backside of the gasket as you are putting it in.

 

[fordtrucker4life!]

Bush

I have these issues all the time. Take a heat gun (hair dryer) and heat the rubber grommet. It will stretch alitltle more and slide right in. You also can add the lubricant to make it even easier.

1) put the grommet in the hole
2) heat it all around
3) spray with a little lube
4) pop it right in

 

[Scot]

Had that issue once. I used windex for lube and started at the end, that lets you hold the rubber in place for some of the time.

 

[02SilverStroke]

Hey guys, y'all need to send these tips to Heloise for her "Hints From Heloise"

Seems that anything that will make the gaskets more pliable will work.

 

[bushpilot]

any other ideas...this light is OVAL (not round)...i STILL cant
get the thing in...

the gasket fits fine (w/out heat)...but the the gasket keeps
wanting to push past...when i try to push the light into the gasket...
and it doesnt matter if i have the light in or out of the gasket when
i try to get the light back in the hole

 

[Scot]

2 suggestions:

1. look at the joint where the 2 plastic parts of the light are fused together. Are there any sharp corners that could be snagging the rubber on the way in? If so, cut them away with a utility knife, lube it and try again.

2. There are lots of members in TX. Try hosting a "I can't get the damn light in party" Get 10-20 other SDD people over there and someone will figure it out. The food and beer may cost you more than 50 replacement bulbs but that's just the cost of getting it done. -popcorn

 

[bushpilot]

fwiw this gasket and light pair are the ORIGINAL set...fitted by the
mfg...if they fit once they should fit again

 

[police stroker]

Bush I had the same prob. on mine if you can install the gasket thenbring the light in from the backside pushing the lense side out. I had to do this on mine when I had a bulb go out. Go from the raw unfinished side to the finished side with a little lube. Hope this helps.

 

[Lefty257]

Bushpilot, What has worked for me in the past is to put the bulb halfway into the gasket then start at one end (whichever way your lights go, mine are vertical) and press the whole thing together working down (or across) with the last little bit being a "thump" with my hand.