How to remove tail light bezels?

[leddzepp]

How do you remove the tail light bezels from a 72, after you take out the 2 retaining screws? I see there are clips that hold them in, and I do not want to scratch the paint taking them off. They do not feel like they will slide off very easily....thanks!

[ChevLoRay]

Sounds like you're gonna need something to place between the trim and the paint. Eastwood sells some nylon tools that should be handy for this. There have to be others who also sell them.

[leddzepp]

So do they "pop" straight off? I figured that they would slide off to one side or the other.

[eightbanger]

Once you've undone the screws the trim should be able to move enough to get a small screwdriver to the back of the trim and pry the little tensioned arms of the clips out, or just hold the trim firmly at the point where the clip goes into the body and give it a gentle but firm tug and and it should pop out that way.

[leddzepp]

Thanks eightbanger...i will try that. I guess i just need to be very careful. i thought there might be a "trick" to it!

[too much stuff]

There is not an easy way that i know. Those are the push in clips that expand once through the hole. Maybe try pulling the taillight housing and see if you can squeeze them from behind? Good luck.

[Andy4639]

As stated above no real easy way. Just be careful and firm with the trim itself.

[Green Monster]

Are there any tips or tricks to removing tail light bezels other than prying or pulling at the retaining clips locations?

[notsolo]

Blue tape on the paint, thin flexable putty knife between tape and trim carefully push in from side to release clip.

[Astro-Balls]

Plastic pry tool kit is the way to go.

[LockDoc]

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Be sure and spray the area where the clips go through the hole with penetrating oil. It makes them come out a lot easier....

LockDoc

[Green Monster]

This is great advice from everyobe that replied. Thank you.

So far, I masked the surrounding painted area then started prying with a 1" putty knife. The clips slightly start to slide out of the holes in the body but are stubborn and won't release.

I ordered a plastic trim removal kit that may help. The kit will arrive Tuesday.

Meanwhile, I'll hit the clips with some penetrating oil while i wait for the trim removal kit to arrive.

[special-K]

The thing with the plastic pry tools is they have to be so thick compared to a rigid steel putty knife. To be honest, I have never successfully removed this trim damage-free. It has always been a go back with new thing for me. Are those giving advise saying they have successfully removed the trim w/o damage?

[notsolo]

Prying is not the answer......thin putty knife, slid in, between, push, tap strait in to release clip. Will try and post a photo later.

[special-K]

Yep, releasing the clips is "how to remove tail light bezels". I said rigid, but with the curved surface follow Not Solo's word on using flexible in this area

[Green Monster]

I don't need to save the bezels however I don't want to trash them in case someone else can use them. I have NOS bezels that I plan to use but did not purchase replacement clips since I was planning on reusing the original clips if possible.

Photos or a video would be helpful as I am struggling to understand how to release the clip. Does the clip stay in the truck or does the clip come out with the bezel? Do I need to push on the clip from the sides to release the clip while pulling straight back on the bezel?

Below is a photo of the bezel I am trying to remove. I found a photo of a clip and screw kit on ebay (also below) to reference what I think the the original clips look like.

[Green Monster]

I found a decent thread regarding this topic titled, "Tail light bezel retaining clips".

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698982

[Green Monster]

I'm still uncertain if the clips need to come out with the bezel or the bezel comes off and the clips stay on the truck.

[demian5]

They never go back on as nice as the come off either.

[Green Monster]

Originally Posted by demian5

They never go back on as nice as the come off either.

I was worried that would be the case.

[special-K]

Hey Led Zepp, did you ever get yours removed??

Originally Posted by Green Monster

I'm still uncertain if the clips need to come out with the bezel or the bezel comes off and the clips stay on the truck.

The clips hold them to the body. To remove you absolutely must remove by the clip.

[Green Monster]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

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Be sure and spray the area where the clips go through the hole with penetrating oil. It makes them come out a lot easier....

LockDoc

Spraying WD40 on the clips at the hole locations was a tremendpus help. Thank you! This plastic trim removal tool was used to lift the trim from the body while I squeezed the clips with needle nose plyers worked for me. Some clips stayed on the Blazer but the trim came off. I managed to break a clip on the driver so a kit of clips is required to complete replacing the bezels.

Thank you for all your help.