Replacing a Honda Prelude Tail Light Gasket
 

Original Thread

First off. I have been trying to sell my Prelude for sometime. Not actively pushing it as much as i should, but gas prices are making it not be a priority. I have had 2 people come out and look at it.
The first after i washed it looked in the trunk and noticed some water. I assumed it was from my opening the hood and not shamying the car before doing so and some dripped in. On the second occasion a guy came to look at it and i had just washed the car and i noticed a small leak coming from behind the paneling on the right side tail light.

I am fortunate as there is NO rust in the spare tire well, so i figured i had better get this fixed. Had the one guy looking at the car not have mentioned it, i may not have looked into it further.

That being said, here is some quick play by play photos on replacing a 1999 Honda Prelude rear tail light gaskets.


Honda Prelude
1999 Model

Goal:
Replace leaking tail light gaskets in the rear of my 1999 Honda prelude.

Tools:
2 Hands
Some cleaner
8mm ratchet


2 Gaskets from Honda for under $50
http://www.gtcars.ca/gallery/files/5...change_026.jpg

The rear paneling to be removed. Push in the small round black clips and pop them out.
http://www.gtcars.ca/gallery/files/5...change_028.jpg

There are 6 nuts to be removed. Grab an 8mm
http://www.gtcars.ca/gallery/files/5...change_029.jpg

Me, removing them
http://www.gtcars.ca/gallery/files/5...change_030.jpg

Remove the bulbs and disconnect the wiring from beneath the old gasket. This does not require much force.
http://www.gtcars.ca/gallery/files/5...change_032.jpg

The old gasket with the wiring removed. Notice how dirty it is.
http://www.gtcars.ca/gallery/files/5...change_033.jpg

Very simple to remove the gasket. Just pull it off. I put more thought into it than that making sure to remember how the new one goes on. There are guide holes however.
http://www.gtcars.ca/gallery/files/5...change_034.jpg

I took the time to just clean that area of the tail light where the gasket was going to sit.
http://www.gtcars.ca/gallery/files/5...change_035.jpg

This is how the gasket should be fitting for the passenger side rear tail light. I now get started on the driver side.
http://www.gtcars.ca/gallery/files/5...change_036.jpg

Remove the jack cover, take out the jack and pop out the clips.
http://www.gtcars.ca/gallery/files/5...change_038.jpg

Grab that 8mm again and start remove the 6 nuts. For me, it required a quarter back and then they came off easily by hand.
http://www.gtcars.ca/gallery/files/5...change_039.jpg

Quick picture of the nuts you are removing and the 1 clip.
http://www.gtcars.ca/gallery/files/5...change_040.jpg

This is how i removed the wiring. I pealed back the gasket and just unclipped it.
http://www.gtcars.ca/gallery/files/5...change_041.jpg

On both sides i cleaned up where the tail light gasket will be sitting. I was happy to see NO rust on my prelude.
http://www.gtcars.ca/gallery/files/5...change_042.jpg

This is how the wiring goes back in. At first, you might think throw the gasket on which is not the case. You still have to reclip the wiring under the gasket. Your install should look like mine. (or better. LOL)
http://www.gtcars.ca/gallery/files/5...change_043.jpg

This was all that was required to change the gaskets. 2 new Honda prelude tail light gaskets, a ratchet with a 8mm socket, some time and some ice tea!
http://www.gtcars.ca/gallery/files/5...change_044.jpg


If there is something to add, please do. This was my first time on this small project.

Hope this helps someone in the future.

Very informative write-up!

:fing02: