minor4326 Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 While my 1991 is awaiting better weather I thought I'd look into possibly installing LED bulbs in the rear light bar. I've damaged two bulbs beyond repair trying to get them out. I tried pushing down and twisting, but in the cold weather that didn't work. Can someone please tell me the best/easiest method to remove the bulbs. As an aside I'm not familiar with what lights up, when, at night since I don't follow the car. I discovered that some or perhaps all of the bulbs have two filaments. That suggests to me they are all used to signify braking as well as light up at night when not braking. Is that correct? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogold99 Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 These links may help answer your questions: Reatta Owners Journal - Exterior Bulb Chart Reatta Owners Journal - Tail Light Bulb Replacement 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minor4326 Posted February 18 Author Share Posted February 18 Can someone give me a couple tips to remove the bulbs. The 2057s are particularly difficult to remove. The instructions and charts were incredibly helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 If I remember correctly, the bulbs were installed at the factory with some kind of grease in the socket. It may have become hard over time, and might have got harder with the cold weather. I would use a hair dryer to warm the socket up some, and then carefully try to move the bulb around enough to get it to push in and twist so you can remove it. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Eaton Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 (edited) On removing the bulbs it helps some if you push the bulb in and twist, there is a little hump that retains the bulbs so they do not vibrate out. In the rear, not all the bulbs NEED two filaments, GM installed the two filament bulbs so they only needed to stock one parts number. I'm thinking the 3 above the license plate do not flash with the turn signal or braking so they could be single filament bulbs. Edited February 23 by Barney Eaton (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minor4326 Posted February 18 Author Share Posted February 18 The bulb(s) will push in, maybe too much. I think I'll try a hair dryer and a thin rubber 'mat' used to open jars to get some grip. Thanks for the responses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DS_Porter 89 Burgandy Posted February 22 Share Posted February 22 I replaced all the rear light bar bulbs with LED's. It took a lot of trial and error. What you want is a bulb that outputs red light and lots of lumens for the brake/turnsignal filament and of course less bright for the tail light filament. The outer bulbs on the corners also output red light. Unfortunatly they all came from China so I have no part numbers. Buy a few spares if you find some that look good. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wufibug Posted February 23 Share Posted February 23 If the genius of the internet is to be believed, dielectric grease is softened or "melted" by rubbing alcohol, preferably the strongest. I don't think it harms plastics so it should help with removing bulbs that have been in place for over 3 decades. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue90 Posted February 23 Share Posted February 23 23 hours ago, DS_Porter 89 Burgandy said: I replaced all the rear light bar bulbs with LED's. Where did you get the bulbs (auto store, hardware store)?🤔 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DS_Porter 89 Burgandy Posted February 23 Share Posted February 23 Go to ebay and search for example "1157 led red bulb" Lots of different styles and prices. Generally the more expensive ones are brighter and more dependable. You can fine tune your search with price range, location (USA not China)... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minor4326 Posted February 24 Author Share Posted February 24 As the OP my problem is getting the bulbs out, not finding new ones Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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