Is there anyone out there who can tell me how to replace a tail light in a 96 Corolla?

I inherited my dad's '96 Corolla and it's really a great car. Problem is one of the rear brake lights is out. I figured no problem because I've been replacing brake lights and tail lights all my life. Was I mistaken! Well I remove the two screws on the left of the outside real light cover panel that are concealed when the trunk in closed. Then I remove the bolt that I see exposed in the trunk of the car that appears to be coming directly into the trunk from the light cover panel. I try and get some movement on the side of the panel near the two screw holes but light covel panel will not come off so I can get to the lights themselves. I notice two black pieces of rubber with small hollow cylinders that are affixed to the inside of the trunk and I try jimmying them and then applying pressure to them from the inside of the trunk figuring that maybe these two rubber pieces hold the far side of the light cover panel securely to the passenger's side of the car. Still no luck. I'm afraid if I try to force the light cover panel I'm going to break it and I know that would not be a wise thing to do. I figure there has to be an easy way to do this but I'm just not seeing it. Can anyone please help me?

Reply to
Semajris
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have a 97 corolla. same lights as yours. when you remove the screws you see when you open the trunk and the one nut (one i think) from the inside of the trunk everything is off and the light assembly should come out. take a screwdriver . put a rag around the blade as no to scratch the car.pry straight out on the side of the fender where the light assembly wraps around. proudly just stuck.once you get it removed the first time it should be ok. remember mine was a bugger the first time. had it about 7 years before i needed to replace any bulbs. good luck..

Reply to
Dave Dave

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