msrecant

SLO1 posted a thread similar to this, about installing cabin air filters, and this is my attempt to "pay it forward". This thread documents my installation of clear side-markers on my Velocity-Red 2004 RX-8. Like the cabin air filters, the side-markers did not come with installation instructions.

The only tool you will need is a small Phillips-head screwdriver. Below is the "before" picture showing my RX-8 with stock side-markers.

msrecant

The clear side-markers were purchased from www.rotaryextreme.com for $70.00. The picture shows a front view of the left side-marker and the rear view of the right side-marker. Note the two TABS that are used to hold the side-marker in place once it is installed.

msrecant

The RotaryExtreme side-markers did not come with colored bulbs. Rather that researching Virginia state-inspection regulations as to whether white side-marker lights are legal, I simply purchased a pair of generic colored side-marker bulbs from my local auto supply store.

msrecant

This was the first unexpected issue I encountered. Unlike the stock side-markers, the clear side-markers have an internal reflector just in front of the bulb. As can be seen from the photo, this focuses the bulk of the light to the rear-half of the side marker (sorry about the fuzzy photo).

It is not hard to remove the reflectors and I believe it substantially improves the look of the marker at night (see installation photos). Unfortunately, due to the small size, it is hard to take pictures of the reflector.

Below is a rough diagram of the right-side side marker, looking down from the top. The reflector is located inside the side marker at the top of the opening where the bulb-assembly plugs in, and is angled to reflect the bulb's light towards the back of the side marker.

To remove the reflector:

1. The reflector is a single piece of soft metal, about 3/8 inch wide, roughly in the shape of a reverse "L". It is held in place by the flat bottom-portion of the reflector sliding in between two plastic slots rising from the back of the side marker housing. The bottom portion of the reflector has a tooth-edge to secure it between the two plastic slots. Note that the reflector is made of a soft metal that is easily deformed.

2. Entering through the bulb-assembly hole, place a small flat-blade screwdriver between the back of the side marker and the bottom of the reflector. Gently rotate the screwdriver side to side to loosen the reflector. Repeat using progressively larger flat-blade screw drivers until the base of the reflector has been deformed enough that the reflector falls free from the back of the side marker.

3. The reflector is now free within the side marker but it is too wide to simply come out the bulb-assembly hole. Shake the side marker until the reflector rests against the bulb-assembly hole. Reach in the hole with a pair of needle-nose pliers and attempt to bend each side of the reflector towards the center of the reflector. Eventually the reflector will become narrow enough to slip through the bulb-assembly hole.

Be gentle to avoid scratching or cracking the interrior of the side marker. If you are familiar with doing it, the process takes about 3-5 minutes.

Helpful hint: You may want to crush the reflector (squeeze the sides together) before you break it loose from the side marker. This can be done using a long neck version of a needle-nose pliers or by looping a piece of wire around the top of the reflector and pulling towards you.

I cannot guarantee that everyone will be able to do this, but I was successful and caused minimal internal scratching in the side-marker. If not done carefully, you can break the side-marker ($35 out the window).

msrecant

Now I am actually starting installation. First you need to position the front wheels so that they are turned to the other side of the car from where you are working. This exposes the forward inside of the wheel well. The two fasteners that need to be removed are noted in the picture.

msrecant

By using a Phillips-head screwdriver and turning counter-clockwise about a quarter turn, you release the pin from the middle of the fastener. The pin will pop out. You may have to hold the outer ring to keep the whole fastener from rotating. Once released, pull the pin all the way out and then simply pull the entire fastener from the vehicle. Remove both the noted fasteners, then pull back the plastic trim to expose the back of the side-marker.

msrecant

As shown in the picture, the side-marker is held in place by two things. A Phillips-head screw and the REAR TAB of the side-marker which clips on the fender sheet-metal. Use a screwdriver to remove the screw. Then reach behind the metal frame and push the tip of the side-marker REAR TAB forward, which should release the side marker and allow the back of the side-marker to swing out from the car. Once the rear of the side-marker and the bulb assembly are clear of the fender, then pull the side marker rearward to release the side-marker FRONT-TAB.

msrecant

This is a picture of the side-marker, clear of the vehicle. Simply turn the bulb assembly counter clockwise to remove it from the side-marker.

msrecant

Pull the clear bulb out of the bulb assembly. Push the colored bulb into the slot in the bulb assembly.

msrecant

Insert the bulb assembly into the clear side-marker and turn clockwise to lock in place. The side-marker is now ready for re-installation into the vehicle.

In the picture, note that the clear side-marker is not the same shape as the stock side-marker. The stock side-marker has been sculpted to match the lines of the fender. The clear side-marker flares out and then tapers in at the back. I'm still not sure which I prefer.

msrecant

For installation of the clear side-marker, position the FRONT TAB at the front slot in the fender and rotate the back of the side-marker until it barely makes contact with the fender. You may have to reach behind and use your fingers to keep the bulb assembly wires from getting pinched. Then slide the side marker forward as far as it will go. As a last step gently push on the rear of the side-marker until you feel the REAR TAB click into position. Insert the screw, at the rear of the side-marker, and tighten it down.

Reposition the plastic that covers the forward side of the wheel well. Make sure that, where appropriate, it is tucked beneath the lip of sheet-metal and that the fastener holes line up. Insert the two fasteners and push the center pins all the way in.

msrecant

This is a picture of the finished product. Repeat the process for the other side of the vehicle.

msrecant

This is what the clear side-marker looks like when illuminated. Remember I used colored bulbs and removed the internal reflector.

SL01

Nice! Thanks!

--SL01

BRx8

now why didn't i think of that? i will have to do this when i get home...thanks for the tip

mikeb

great post.. It looks way better to me with the reflector out.

Magar

Excellent instructions and photos!

This is a great example of the quality everyone should use when posting instructions on "How to....".

What was the total time frame to get this job done?

Thanks!

mikeb

time frame when I installed is like 5 to 10 min
but I didn't take out reflectors yet

msrecant

The whole process took me about 2 hours but there are several considerations:
- I am still overly cautious about doing something that would damage the car
- I was constantly taking picture of the process for the forum
- I initially tried to remove 3 or 4 wheel-well fasteners, some of which are
a bear to get off with the wheel in place
- The reflector and the shape of the clear side-marker stopped me cold.
I didn't like it and had to think it through. I did several test
mounts and dismounts.
- Removal of the first reflector was done with unnecessary caution

Regardless, in answer to your question, after practice it would now take me 10 minutes to swap out both side-markers. Removing the reflectors is about another 10-15 minutes work (5-7 minutes a piece) depending on what tools you have, how dexterous you are and how carefully you proceed.

Wing

Wait a second, in your post you say if you break it your out $35?? I thought the markers were $200!

msrecant

The pair I got was only $70. I think I saw in another thread that you can find them at some other after-market shops for a little less.

Check out www.rotaryextreme.com.

msrecant

That was $70 US.

BRx8

good grief!!! it took you 2 hours?!? it took me 5 minutes each side...and i was very cautious...

well i took the reflectors out and they makes a big difference...the first one was a bitch, but as soon as you get one out, the second one took me a minute...just take a flat head and pry it under the reflector...get it in deep, twist, deeper, twist...eventually it pops right off...then take a needle nose plier, grab one side, then twist it until you bend it small enough to fit through the hole...a fair amount of force is necessary...

it looks good! thanks for that tip

bwayout

... that's because msrecant took all of those great pictures, downloaded them into Photoshop, added the graphics & arrow pointers then upload them here to this fourm!

:D

Great job msrecant!

mikeb

I was going to try to practice taking the reflectors out on my stock orange corners but the orange corners don't have reflectors.