I tried to remove them a week ago when I was getting new stripes put on my car, but I couldn't get them off. They are starting to rust on the inside & on the bottom. The nut just turns with the hollow shaft that the wires run through. I don't know how it was made, if it was just a compression fitting or if was glued, but now both are a little loose from me trying to get them off & I would like to tighten them up at least. Any ideas or tips?

 

I have tho OEM rallys and removed them to swap out my grille. The nut on the underside of the bracket should just unscrew off the end of the hollow bolt.
I discovered that the wires that thread through the hollow bolt have end connections on them that are too big to go through the bolt. You have to cut them off and replace them when/if you re-install.
The lights themselves come apart with 1 screw in the bottom of the housing. Once you open them up, you should be able to see how they assemble.

 

First thing to do is put some Liquid Wrench or other penetrating oil on the threads of the hollow bolt. Above the nut would be best, but a little squirted on the bottom of the nut should travel up the threads. Wait 10 of 15 minutes and try again.

Taking a quick look at the MINI instructions (downloaded from MotoringFile.com), it looks like you will have to remover the bulb, disconnect it and pull the wires down so the connectors are on top of the hollow bolt's head in order to possibly get a deep socked on its head. I have not seen this actual setup though.

Some of the manual's illustrations show a possible finger at the top of the hollow bolt, pressing on the side of its head put there to stop it from rotating. It may be rusted of damaged. Check on it.

Good luck.

 

I took the screw out and opened one light yesterday & I sprayed both down with WD-40 about a 1/2 hour before I tried to work on them, but still no luck. I will try again tonight. Maybe if I can get a pair of vice grips to hold the hollow shaft from the top while I try to tighten the nut. I still would like to at least get them off so I can complete the stripes behind them.

 

sorry..couldn't resist...