Tail lights

[mr55s]

I am thinking of re-chroming a pair of tail light housings. Is there a good or easy way to remove the light bulb receptacle from the housing itself?
Brian

 

[65sunbeam]

You must have the later non removeable type-the early light sockets just pull out. The later ones can be removed after prying back the mounting tabs that hold the sockets in place-not as easy to do.....Eric

 

[mr55s]

I wanted to let anyone know who might want to go down this road, if you have a tail light housing that’s not perfect with a dent in the side, it’s not hard to straighten. The light sockets were easier than I thought to uncrimp. I used what look like wire cutters but the sharp side is at the end of the pliers instead of the side (end nippers?) It was easy to get underneath the crimped end with these. Once that was done, I used a block of wood on the light side of the housing and tapped gently with a hammer on the body side of the housing. Once you have that surface flat like when it was made, you can align the slow curve. I used a pair of pliers with some electrical tape on the ends so it wouldn’t mark the outside surface. You know you have it right when you look down the length that goes against the body and it’s straight instead of like a banana. Take to the chrome shop if it is pitted like mine if you don’t have a good one to use. I hope this helps someone.
Brian