tail lights on a century

2004 Buick Century, 3.1L


I was going to change some burned out tail lights for my friend today, but when i went to do it i found that they are the ones that go up with the trunk so i will need a socket to do this. I'm an automotive body repair student, so i know how to do this, but i dont have my tools at home with me, so i am wondering if anyone can give me the size of this nut. Usually on GM's this type of nut is anywehre from 7-10mm, but i'd like to make sure i have the right size when i go to her house tomorrow. thanks

-Darin

Why do you need a wrench to remove the taillight assemblies? :confused:

Pull back the carpeting material and should see 3 large plastic wing nuts you turn by hand (counterclockwise). Remove them and the taillight assembly will remove. Pull back towards you. Then you will be able to access the respective lamp sockets.

The same should be applicable to the center part on the trunk which has running lamps.

maybe her car has been in a wreck and they just used nuts to put them back in because hers are definitely held on with nuts...thanks though.

It sounds more like a case of GM getting cheap in later year model Century and doing away with the convenient plastic wing nuts. For GM taillamps that use regular nuts the size should be 10mm.

thanks a lot for your responses