Cannot remove licence plate light assembly

[Mattgfx]

I cannot remove the licence plate light assembly... the bolts that are holding the outer trunk compartment on are rusted and just spin in place. anyone help me out?

***http://www.audiforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6324
stuck on picture 3 i have bolts instead of torx ?!

[B6JoeS4]

drill it out

[Mattgfx]

its a very hard spot to do that.. i would be drilling into the trunk from the inside..

[Chknkatsu]

if it's spinning in place the threads are obviously worn out, try to get some channel-locks and muscle it out

[Mattgfx]

been trying too.. adding oil and trying to rip it out and spin it. its in the worst spot ever also..

[Mattgfx]

no luck.. might have to see what the audi dealer can do.

[mholme]

I've never really looked at that part but what are you dealing with, a couple of bolts I guess? can you get at them from the inside of the trunk if you remove the backing? Can you get a picture? I guess I could go look for myself but it's cold outside

[spinny]

Audi dealer? if the screw keeps spinning try this..

Take a small flat head screw driver and stick it under the screw head. Then twist the flat head. Almost like you're trying to use the flat head as leverage to pry the screw out.

while you are doing this, with your other hand try to unscrew.

If that doesn't work - drill - or drive to my house and I'll do it for you and then you can buy me beer.

[Mattgfx]

I've never really looked at that part but what are you dealing with, a couple of bolts I guess? can you get at them from the inside of the trunk if you remove the backing? Can you get a picture? I guess I could go look for myself but it's cold outside

the two bolt unscrew from the inside looking up at the trunk. they hold on the rear trunk part that holds the licence plate lights. i believe.

these two bolt's i cannot get off no matter what i do. and im thinking of handing it over to a shop because this is getting ridiculous

[Mattgfx]

Audi dealer? if the screw keeps spinning try this..

Take a small flat head screw driver and stick it under the screw head. Then twist the flat head. Almost like you're trying to use the flat head as leverage to pry the screw out.

while you are doing this, with your other hand try to unscrew.

If that doesn't work - drill - or drive to my house and I'll do it for you and then you can buy me beer.

i wish it was in that easy of a place to try that.

[mholme]

Grind them off..you've got me about 30 seconds from going outside and looking at what you are dealing with here if you're thinking about taking it to a dealer for somethin like this...Don't do it..

[Mattgfx]

i have tried hammering down onto it and no luck either.. tomorrow im going to keep trying at it...

[Mattgfx]

http://www.audiforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6324

im stuck on picture 3 but i have bolts instead of torx

[mholme]

http://www.audiforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6324

im stuck on picture 3 but i have bolts instead of torx

Grind them off. Do you have a grinder/rotary tool? That will make quick work of those..

[DzeticVR]

it out!

[Mattgfx]

Grind them off. Do you have a grinder/rotary tool? That will make quick work of those..

wish i had one.

[wdbdy2000s4]

try a quick post in the regional forum...someone in NY has to have a grinder you can use.

[Mattgfx]

try a quick post in the regional forum...someone in NY has to have a grinder you can use.

going to a shop i know pretty well .. they hopefully will help me out since this needs to be done by sunday.

[wdbdy2000s4]

just tell them to grind off the bolts and finish the install at home. I couldnt imagine charging more than 10bux to grind off two bolts. it's like 23.7 seconds worth of labor

[Mattgfx]

told me its going to be free... so

[mholme]

wish i had one.

Alright, well put one on your shopping list. They are cheap.These won't be the last two bolts you have to cut off on this car

[Mattgfx]

problem solved ..finally finished it

[spinny]

what method did you use?

[Mattgfx]

drill

[lucajS4]

i love my florida car no rust ;) lol one of mine lights went out but eh whatever deal with that later

[painter]

The plastic housing that goes through the trunk body (bottom of the housing) won't budge for me. I have everything apart; everything exposed; I cut off the little nubs that might hold it to the inside, but it won't even wiggle! I can't pry it off for fear of damaging the lock/light housing. The new one looks like it will just slide in but the old one certainly doesn't slide out! Dremel is next! While using a chisel, I removed enough plastic to see that a bigger screw is coming from behind the assembly, which seems to mean that then entire lock/light housing has to come off! How stupid is this! Who designs these things - or over-designs them. This means the lock housing has to be removed - totally absurd! Just to change a damn bulb holder, a bulb holder!