Rear tail light lens (96 OBW)

[rajp53]

Some fine person hit my driver's side tail light lens and smashed the
thing to pieces. The car is a 1996 Subaru OBW. I am trying to put the
puzzle back together, but I will have to use lens tape as well. My
questions are:
1-What do I call this entire part, should I attempt to find it at a
junk yard?
2-The bulb was also destroyed. What is the replacement part number?
3-Is there somewhere I can find out how to remove what's left of it and
replace it should I find the part?

Thanks.

R-

 

[rajp53]

Follow-up to my own message. Will a 2001 tail assembly fit a 1996?

 

[S]

Hi R.

1-What do I call this entire part, should I attempt to find it at a
junk yard?

Left side tail light lens assembly for '96 OBS
..

2-The bulb was also destroyed. What is the replacement part number?

Mmmmm, 1157? When you get a replacement assembly, there'll be a lamp
(lamps?) in it.

3-Is there somewhere I can find out how to remove what's left of it and
replace it should I find the part?

At your service.

Pull the inside trim from the back, and the L. side. Combination of
snap-ins and those damned little plastic push-pin fasteners. They can
be hard to remove w/o breaking, but it is possible, and you don't
really need _all_ of 'em anyway . . .
Remove 3, or maybe 4 8mm nuts associated with the lens assy, and
unplug the wiring connector. Also note that there is a plastic tab up
at the front; this just slides out when you:
Use a pry tool of some description to gently (or not if it's already
broken) pry the lens assy away from the body recess it lives in. There
is a collar of black-sticky that seals the lens to the body, and you
have to break this seal to get it out. Start at the inside top, and
work outward a bit at a time, and it'll come, I promise ;-) Be sure to
either replace the sticky (I use windshield stuff), or at least push
what's left around enough to insure a seal when you install the
replacement lens.
Assembly is the reverse, be sure to get the front tab into it's
recess, and do not over tighten the fasteners; you just want 'en tight
enough to pull the assy into position against the sealant.

Howzat?

FWIW, the salvage yard will probably hit you up for $75 or so for the
assy. This might seem like a lot, but consider that it is probably
around $200 from Subaru. You might check on line, and/or on ebay for
aftermarket lens assemblies as well.

ByeBye! S.

Steve Jernigan KG0MB
Laboratory Manager
Microelectronics Research
University of Colorado
(719) 262-3101

 

[bigjim]

New its $93.56 from 1stsubaru.com for the whole assembly

 

[rajp53]

Thanks to all!

 

[S]

Hi again R.!

Follow-up to my own message. Will a 2001 tail assembly fit a 1996?

Couldn't say.

But as a follow-up to my message, the lens removal goes a lot smoother
if that corner of the car (at least) is as warm as possible; softens
the sealant. Very difficult to do if it is cold.

Good Luck. ByeBye! S.
Steve Jernigan KG0MB
Laboratory Manager
Microelectronics Research
University of Colorado
(719) 262-3101