3rd Brake Light Replacement on a 3rd Gen

Hey everyone, I recently purchased a new 3rd brake light for my 2017 Tacoma. I am replacing the old one because of leaking issues. The dealership quoted me 700$ for a replacement done by them, so I opted to try it out myself. I have spent about 5 hours now trying to get one nut to tighten on a bolt that secures the brake light in place. I cannot seem to get the nut to tighten or loosen and it seems to be stuck on the bolt. This is extremely frustrating due to not being able to see what I am working on and how hard it is to fish a socket wrench up there. Does anyone have any tips to how I could either get the nut off the bolt, or get it tightened somehow?

 

There is a recall for the 3rd brake light, should be free of charge at the dealer

 

I went in for it already, they said my factory break light was damaged and to replace it was 700$

 

How far did you drop the headliner?

 

Not very far, just got it enough to get my socket in. I was worried about dropping it further because of the airbags in the rear.

 

Dropping further would probably make the job easier, but i've neverdone it, so I can't give you any advice on how to get it down.

My general practice is to disconnect the negative battery terminal when getting anywhere near airbags.

It sounds like you may have cross threaded the nut though.

 

This thread might help

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/removing-your-headliner-and-insulating-sound-deadening.394469/

 

Youtube.com video

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=v4la65jm4DA

 

^^^ not true. another thread of same topic details the same issue and the LSC. I in fact experienced the same as OP. Total f job and money grab by Mother Ship.

experienced the very same. Lamp was broken obviously by oem installation - cracked on the passenger side nut/bolt location - verified by dealer. No leak so not fixable at dealer cost via LSC - dealer option was as you note. F that $700 for a repair that has a material cost of $80.00. I tried to purchase the trim part from the dealer and they said no - as it is only to be sold as part of the LSC. Their Solution was for me to re-install the broken part - have them reinspect, then again deny the fix and pay them to install a new brake light (at the cost of as stated for parts and labor) and then they would sell and install the trim bezel at an additional expensive fee. F Toyota! Remove the coat hanger brackets, loosen the c pillars, remove the plastic lense/head liner light - pull the headliner down (works easier if you open back sliding window and have someone gently push the head liner down). Then you can get to the nut (10mm deep-socket) and remove. Pull light and clean surface with rubbing alcohol. Install new light and replace loosened parts.

 

See post #3274 in this thread:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/super-ultimate-3rd-brake-light-build.522181/page-164#post-25229408

Remove the old light using that method, then replace it with the new one.

 

True here. They replaced my headliner, all new carpet and put me in a rental for months (parts shortage) until parts came in and it was fixed. Cost - ZERO under recall.

 

only because you qualified (aka water leakage) for the LRC. If you don't have a leak or signs of a leak you don't qualify. So if you did not have a leak and they did the LRC they only did it for the $ they get from the Mother Ship. No dealer here willing to do that. Glad you got it done regardless of the situation.

 

Here is mine, just dropped it off at the dealership today.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-brake-light-safety-recall.732883/page-24#post-27416535