I bought a clear center brake light recently but can't get the original red light out to put the new clear one in. I removed the three cheesy plastic screws but it won't clear the low spoiler from the sports package enough to get it out. Any suggestions?

 

Aloha, pinz1974 and welcome to MCO.

Interesting.....I plan on purchasing the 3 clear brake lights and never thought about the removal of the center, high mount light. I, too, have the sport package/rear spoiler and upon closer inspection, there might be clearance problems with the original red light removal.

I know on the MCS, the rear spoiler sticks out away from the roof, but on the MC, it's stuck right on the roof.
Has any MC owner with the sport package done this mod?
A "How-to" or pictures of this mod is greatly appreciated.

Thanks pinz1974 for bringing this up. I know I didn't help you much, but these folks at MCO has a lot of tricks up their sleeves....anyone?!

 

Have had the same problem, still got the red light in at the mo.

I have tried to remove the spoiler but I dont have a box spanner long enought to reach the centre bolt.

Really need pictures of other ways to do this.

 

I had service do mine. They had the same problem with the spoiler. Finally, I told them just break the red lens if you have to. So they did, and now I have a clear third light .

 

Not sure about breaking the light. I wanted to sell it on ebay, make back some of the money I spent on the clear ones.

Any other ideas guys??

 

Hmmm....maybe I should get MINI service to do the install, and if they break the lens, they owe me for a new one

There's got to be a better way!!.....Anyone?

 

I tried to do this mod last night - got close, but could not get the old red one out It did not seem to me that the spoiler was a bolt-on? From another site, it looks like the OEM install guide for the spoiler shows it being glued-on - so that option is out.
Put me on the list of people waiting for a diy answer to this one! anyone?

_________________
'03 LY/WHT MC all 3 packages, xenon, sprt susp plus. MOTOR ON.

 

If that rear spoiler is glued on, then we might be in for some trouble

Any MC owner with clear brake lights and rear spoiler....who installed?..or how installed?
PLEEAAZZE!!

 

We need pics!!!!!!!

 

My car looks stupid with the red break light. Someone out there must have done the mod.

 

I will PM HARMINI and direct her to this thread...she has replaced her brake and tails.

 

>>I will PM HARMINI and direct her to this thread...she has replaced her brake and tails.


Thanks mate, really need to get this sorted

Ta

 

I did some research and it appears that the consensus on the install is to 1) tape the underside of your spoiler to protect the paint (i was also thinking some white lithium grease wouldnt hurt to get the bugger to slide out a bit more). 2) Loosen the two or three bolts thru the decklid that appear to hold the spoiler on. You will have to remove the 3 black plastic caps to access the 10mm bolts - use a long throat socket. 3) use the palm of your hands (or an assistant's) to deflect the spoiler just enough to get the brake light to pass - about 1mm. 4) repeat for new clear unit. Patience is the key - i have read that it may take 2 hours to do this mod.
My thoughts are that the flexiblitity of the spoiler will increase slightly if it is warm, so i plan to leave my car in the sun before attempting. I will be doing this over the weekend - i will let you know how it goes. Good luck.

 

richyc....I sent her a PM with a link to this thread....hopefully she will have some insight for us!

 

The CHMSL replacement is rather easy on non-spoiler MC and big-spoilered MCS's, however I can see how it would be tougher for spoilered MC's!

Is there a way to remove the spoiler, to get at the CHMSL easier? What goes in, must come out

Good luck,
Ryan

 

Mahalo, luvdamini for being brave this weekend....keep us posted

HARMINI......Helloooo?!

 

Sorry everyone, I took a break from the computer for a week as my hands were hurting.

I am not much help here as I don't have a spoiler on HARMINI, no sport package here.....

But.......I will add that the brake light mod DOES work with the clear tail lights. I hooked it up this past weekend and now I feel a little more secure that I won't get rear-ended again (HARMINI had to have a new bumper put on because someone didn't see me braking at a light and just plowed into her).

Good luck to all of you who are wrestling with the 3rd light. It sounds like a pain in the boot!!!

 

>>
>> It sounds like a pain in the boot!!!
>>

 

DONE!
I was successful in changing the 3rd brake light using the method proposed in my previous post. So here is a veteran's tips and tricks: you really need two pairs of strong hands to do this. One guy will need to lift with both hands on the spoiler by placing the but of the palms at roughly the 1/3rd points of the opening for the light. The other guy will then need to rotate the light out of the opening. Piece of cake! Once we were committed to really pushing hard the mod took about 10 to 20 min. A good tip is to protect the spoiler with tape and use the lithium grease for removal and install. Don't be shy, just muscle it in! Good luck.

 

Much Mahalo, luvdamini!
Just what I wanted to hear.....good 'ole elbow grease!

Thanks HARMINI for the reply and input

 

Good luck everyone. As I posted some time back, my roof brake light spontaneously broke when I closed the rear hatch last week. Part's on order (I almost got the white, but was afraid dealer would think I broke the red one for that reason!). Replacement 5/7 appointment.

I was told the MC Sport Pkg spoilers were glued on, but at the factory, not the dealer. I asked if it could be omitted, but was told no. Interesting to read that there are bolts.