bigvain31

Hi,
I just bought a LS430 this past Saturday and I'm trying to replace the Rear license trunk lights. I removed the side two pieces of the trunk liner but I can't get any of the plastic fasteners off. How do you do it without breaking them?

HiloDB1

iTrader: (3)

http://www.familyhandyman.com/tools/...clips/view-all
Get one of the tools in this link and just pry them off.

bigvain31

They are not ordinary and have a weird shape to them. I tried prying it off with a flat but I felt like I was going to break them.

Lynzoid

Just pry them off. Even if you break one or two - these are cheap. But i didn't and i replaced my lic.plate lamps twice.
Gone with LEDs in the end, bright white is the way to go.

bigvain31

Yup you took the words right out of my mouth. I hate the dim yellowish standard white lights currently installed. After I get the liner off, what else do I need to do in order to change lic plate lamps?

HiloDB1

iTrader: (3)

Is this what the clip looks like? Its the part listed on Sewell Lexus' site as the clip for the trunk lid panel. So you should be able to just pry it out.

bigvain31

BINGO!!! That's exactly it.

chrispy

iTrader: (21)

I have this and it comes in handy pretty often. Alternatively you can use a flathead that goes into the slot on the clip and put something under it as leverage and it'll come out easily.

bigvain31

I used a mini flathead and I got no where trying to pry them out without the feeling that i was going to snap something. I'll try again tomorrow.

DriftGirl

iTrader: (6)

use a pair of scissors...slide them under the head and pry up. They wont break


Edit: needle nose pliers, anything...be creative. It just needs to be able to grb the head of the fastener.

g1kon1whee

iTrader: (4)

you don't need to buy any tools to remove them. what i use is a zip tie and slip it in through the top and then just grasp both ends and give it a pull. you should be able to do the entire trunk with one zip tie. i usually replace those stupid clips with a clip that has a push pin top and can be removed by simply pushing the center in then removing it, then resetting the push pin.
here's a link:

http://lexus.sewellparts.com/accesso...2012/5386.html

hope this helps.

bigvain31

thx all. i'll try today

Legender

And you should not have to go to the dealer to get those... well, at least here in TX, Lowe's in their hardware department has an entire cabinet of automotive parts just like those that you can get on the cheap, and for me, much closer than the dealer.
And yes, just get something under both sides and pull them straight out.

bigvain31

Yes sir, I'll try it at lunch time today.

bigvain31

Thanks all for the advice nd help. i was able to get the fastners off without breaking one. I changed to the license plate lights in the trunk with blue LED's. In addition I changed all 4 door lights with blue LED's.

It's looking SWEET at night!!!