Socket panel
 

Hi everyone. Going over my wiring and lighting on my '71 GTO. There is a rear socket for my parking/driving lights, that won't hold the bulb properly. Wiggles a lot. It will only stay lit until a vibration or touching affects it. This socket is in a black plastic panel. I believe for me to remove and replace this socket, I have to take this panel down/out. I don't see how or where it is attached. Even looked in my assembly manual which was vague. The back of the socket seems to be surrounded by the bumper. I can't believe you'd have to drop the bumper to change the socket. There is a valance panel that is removable, but again, seems like a lot to do for a socket. Anyone have experience with this?? Point me in the right direction?? Thank you, Carmine.

Its been quite a few years since I changed mine. If I remember correctly the valance has to be removed and then the panel that holds the sockets comes out. Its not difficult ,I think a few screws secure the panel, but like I said it,s been a long time.

I think you are right on that. I don't see any other way to do it. Thank you, Carmine.

I just did this a few weeks ago when I mounted my rear bumper. Funny that the "how" fades into obscurity in just a few weeks.

The housing bolts to the bumper from the back side. If you only needed to change a bulb, I think you could remove the screws on the lens, pull the lens out, and get access that way. But if you need to service a socket, then yes, the valence is the limiting factor. I had to repair a backup light socket last week, tho, and was able to squeeze my hand up behind the valence to get the socket out. I had an intermittent "Fonzie" style lamp, and it required a little bend upward in the electrical contact in the socket so that the bulb had a little more spring tension.

Valence removal might be easier, but I was able to get to it from underneath.

It helped that when I rewired my car I left a little extra slack on my tail sockets. This made servicing bulb/socket easier. But this probably doesn't apply to you.

Actually, I think that one socket might need replacing. Probably would be smart to replace them all while I have it apart. I can see some of the wiring and I think when they took the body off the frame, they cut it and re-taped it. The tape is unraveling. Real crappy job. I know I can get new sockets through Ames. Just wondering how good they are. I bought new ones for my '62 SS, from a different vendor, and they were junk. Thanks, Carmine.

I found compatible sockets at NAPA off the shelf. I only had a couple of sockets that were remotely serviceable. My "Fonzie" socket was one of those.

OK. Thanks, Carmine.