removing tail light lense

[ez73]

I have a 73 240,and was washing it today and noticed a darkened driver side tail light lense. I have a turbo muffler with a slash tip that sticks out even with the bumper guard. the clear back-up lense is particularly dirty. the drivers side on the back hatch mating surface is also discolored(painted recently) My question is I presume you have to take out the black plastic panelnext to the hatch to take the t.l. assmby out , but does the light housing separate from the lense? Is it worth while to get a new gasket or just put black gasket cement around unit after cleaning.I know all about the fume problems with the z and got it pretty much under control but havn't touched the tail lights ---- richard (can't use nickname)funk

[hls30.com]

Yes, the rear trim panel comes out to remove the taillights.

The taillight assembly seals to the body with a weaterhstrip compacted by the six or eight nuts on studs holding the housing to the body. The lens is glued in with a non-hardening seamsealer like material.

Taking the whole thing apart, cleaning and putting it all back should take less than an hour.

Will

[ez73]

Thanks for the reply Will. I have 3 manuals and they all are very sketchy in this regard. I went to the post about euro tl on ebay and saw a picture of the assmbly out of the car. the light housing and the lenses do separate,might as well clean both while apart . Presume MSA has gaskets? thanks again----D

[hls30.com]

The weatherstrip between the housing and the body is available-bought my most recent one from VB-er Black Dragon(WHat were those guys thinkin?)-readily available from several sources.

Just use non-hardening weatherstip adhesive for the lense to the housing(white or tan to be orig. color)

Will

[gnosez]

The most problem-some step is the removal of the retainer clips which I just cut off since the weatherstripping adhesive will hold the 2 halves together. The old adhesive can be made more compliant with an application of heat (hair dryer or heat gun) as you try and separate the 2 halves. Remember to replace the small felt block.