How to remove the rear surround?

[FASTLLS]

I know this is a stupid question but how is it done?

I removed two bottom nuts, three middle, and one top. It moves a bit but doesn't come off. I also removed the backup lights and one of the plate lights. I can't seem to get the other out but I'll keep trying. Do the plate lights housings have to come off the surround to get it to come off? Also, can the light stay in while I pop the housing off from the plate side? Since I can't seem to get it off..

 

[pektel]

I removed all bulbs, and all bolts.

There are also some clips holding it in. I'll try to find a picture to show you.

 

[FASTLLS]

Thanks man..

So it does take some force to get it off.. I just didn't want to break it. Did you take the plate housings off too of are those ok to leave in? I assume they come off since they are removable for a reason..

 

[pektel]

Found a pic. This guy pointed to one of the tabs that I'm referring to. Looks like he broke it trying to remove it (the same thing is what is catching on your's.)

 

[pektel]

Once you line up those tabs properly so they go through the opening, it will come out easy. No force is necessary.

 

[craigh]

Keep in mind that the tab is kind of an M shape with the middle of the M actually doing the holding so you only need to slip a screwdriver in the middle of the clip. Get a light on it and you will see it.

A word of caution, the top post under the emblem tends to break, so be cautious when removing the surround from the trunk lid.

Good luck!

 

[FASTLLS]

Thanks.. Yeap.. I will need to get a light in there and push the tabs in. I kinda figured there must be some kind of tab holding it back.

 

[bearsfan39]

i missed a bolt and ending up breaking it when i switched mine out

 

[lsdarkshadow]

I broke a tab too. Fockers at ford engineering do that stuff on purpose.

 

[FASTLLS]

Broke the post off as expected. Got some "plastic welder" and it's like new. Soon to be painted..

 

[LeaSr77]

Yea I had to replace my not too long ago because the plastic piece that the screw goes into for the license plate and broke. I bought one off of ebay and the the top piece that commonly breaks all the time was broken but he shipped it tapped to it. I put some epoxy on it but it still one sit flush on the trunk so I got a new one on the way from TascaFord since since the car is about to be repainted.