4kq trunk center reflector removal / leak repair

[Jpinkowish at aol.com]

In a message dated 1/4/03 8:40:36 PM EST, lrickert at covad.net writes:

> After a good rain water pours out of the right side of trunk lid
reflectors/light unit
>  when I open the trunk. The light socket is supposed to be in there has been
>  missing since I got the car.
>
>  anyway the questions are:
>
>  1) how can water get into the reflector thing?

Hi Luke,
I occasionally get the water drip thing too.  Only for me, the h2o comes out
of the stamped metal piece on the inside of the lower trunk lip that is just
below the center section light unit.  Even though I installed new automotive
caulking around the center section and lights, water prolly gets in through
capillary action somewhere.  You can also check around the bolts that hold
the spoiler to the trunk lid.

Look more closely next time you open the trunk after a rain.  If the plastic
reflector/light isn't cracked, water shouldn't be getting into it.

>  2) how do I get the reflector panel off the car? is it simply a matter of
>  removing the screws under the license plate and cutting the old putty away
from
>  under the outer light unit?

Remove the screws that are behind the license plate and also the 2 nuts on
the backsides of the L/R light sections.  Use a 1-2" putty knife to gently
separate the lights from the trunk lid.  Remove the schmutzy caulking and
replace with new.  I used glass setting butyl tape from a NAPA store.  Part
#4195, 5/16" diameter.  It's really more like a rope.

Now that you have the center section off, you may discover rust spots.  Good
time to repair.

>  3) speaking of removing the license plate, two of the four bolts that hold
it on no
>  longer have anything to attach to. (they rusted on at some point and the
nuts
>  attached to the plastic were ripped out) any suggestions for a good way to
fix
>  this? I will be replacing the steel with stainless hardware one way or
another.

Forget stainless; black plastic is the way to go.  You can buy kits at any
FLAPS.  My suggestion for fastening the new nuts in the kit to the center
section is to use GOOP adhesive(not the hand cleaner and not the shoe repair
stuff) that is available at all Sears Hardware stores and prolly Lowes/Home
Depot.  A little antiseize on the plastic screws and you're all set.  BTDT
for 2 yrs with no problems.

HTH

Jan Pinkowish
'85 4ksq
Bristol, CT