SpeedyC2

I was out for a fun drive with friends yesterday and had to pull over at one point to acknowledge the frantic headlight flashes from behind me.

It turns out the driver's side rear brake light assembly had escaped from it's intended location. It was caught quickly so no paint damage, the connector remained attached, and miraculously the screw remained captured in the housing. I happen to keep a small phillips-head screwdriver on my key chain (for just such an emergency) and things were back together quickly.

I check these screws at intervals, but must have let it go too long this time! So I'll offer a PSA to check those screws are tight the next time you are out. Does anyone recommend maybe using Purple or Green LOCTITE here, to minimize the chances of the light falling out?

Jon 'Bama

you should have a phillips screwdriver in your cars toolkit as well.

Thanks for the heads up though I will check mine

BobbyT

The turn signal/brake light housing is secured by tabs on the inboard end and a single screw at the outboard end. The screw goes into a "speed nut", that is easily dislodged from its correct position. When that happens, the screw goes into a plastic hole, with nothing to really "bite" into. Bottom line, make sure the speed nut is correctly positioned before replacing the housing, and feel carefully as the screw tightens, but don't overtighten. Good idea to check these screws from time to time.

If the speed nut is loose, it may help to remove it and pinch it a bit with pliers so it fits tighter onto the plastic.

Loctite or similar won't help in this application.

il pirata

I'd get a new speed nut 999-507-018-01 and screw 900-143-153-07 for both sides.

pp000830

Yup, I had a lamp try to run away once, held back by its leash too. It doesn't help to try to make the hold down screw tight as one will simply crack the lens. Could put some low strength thread locker or something called after-lock on the screw threads. This might help those who have a concern.
Andy

levtron

I had the same problem... except my leash let the light hang on the exhaust tip, and melted the bottom of the light. worked fine for a year, till I got around to getting a new one....

Chuck W.

Yap ... been there. The exhaust pipe melted part of the lens. fatmike (Mike) bailed me out and basically gave me a brand new one. Love his place!

fatmike

Well - of course I had the same issue (on the opposite side) of my car. I stupidly over tightened the screw and cracked the plastic resulting in me buying a new pair (and only needing one) —

it’s the circle of life.

/

Kein_Ersatz

Yup common issue on track use 993s too (WGI for me). Gorilla tape over the screw hole helps keep the screw from backing out enough to let the lens come lose, but you will see the tape “pimple” up when it dose start to back out.

SpeedyC2

Nice idea. Thanks!

AX993

After having this happen I "theorized" that the screw had come loose because of vibration.

I put a rubber o-ring on the securing screw to reduce vibration, add some clamping force between the screw head and the plastic of the brake light, and also to keep from overtightening the screw and cracking the plastic. The o-ring is just big enough to fit like a washer under the screw head.

This might not work for everyone but has worked for me for several years now.

Glenn

goofballdeluxe

Yup, happened once to me as well. Thank goodness someone honked at me and I pulled over before any damage was done.

Must be a 993 quirk

Railmaster.

Check the rear light screws anually!

SpeedyC2

Good idea. I may do similar.

The road we were traveling on when the light popped out was rough. I do think the extra vibration helped the screw back out, or the screw had already backed out and the vibration worked the inner tabs loose from their connections in the center reflector.

I check every few months, but apparently it was not enough.

71-3.0-911

Yup. Happened to me about 2 years ago on the highway. Didn't notice until I pulled into the garage and at that point it was already melted.