1970-72 Tail light assembly bolts

[John W.]

Removed tail light assemblies on my 1972 coupe and a few of the bolts broke due to accumulated rust. This is the round and flat headed bolt that holds th fixture to the body - where can I find a replacement

[Jack H.]

Re: Tail light assembly bolts

It might be time for a set of new tail light housings... It the attaching studs were that far gone, rusted, I'd question the integrity of the bayonet lamp sockets captive to the housing.

[Pete B.]

Re: 1970-72 Tail light assembly bolts

My 71 had the same problem...one broke off on each lamp...They are called weld studs they are put in with a spot welder. Luckly my sockets were fine.
I did not want to spend $250 on this dilemma.... So from the lamp side I ground the "button" part of the stud off, being carefull not to cut into the housing. The old stud then dropped out. As i recall the thread is a 1/4-20 I bought Pem studs from an industrial supply house of the appropriate length and then tack welded the new studs in. The fix is as good as original and you cannot tell them from factory.

[Tom L.]

Re: 1970-72 Tail light assembly bolts

Pete's reply is simlar tot he repair on my taillight housings. I was going to replace all of the housings when getting my '72 restored but for some reason only three of the four were availible. The body shop used the best of what was left from the other three and made one. He removed good studs by grinding them off and welded them back on the best of the four making a housing that is fine. good luck!

[Bill C.]

Re: 1970-72 Tail light assembly bolts

It is not to hard to find housings that are in decent shape and are used.

I see them on fleeybay all the time. Plus I am sure that there are a handfull of us folks that might have extras laying around from our repairs/restorations.

[Harmon C.]

Re: 1970-72 Tail light assembly bolts

Drill a hole in the center of the head of the welded stud from the lens side with an 1/8" bit. Drill it to tap size with a 13/64 bit. The stud will now be gone. Tap the hole and insert a bolt or threaded rod in 1/4-20 thread the right length and bond it in with JB-Weld or Locktite. The repair will all be covered by the lens.