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Loose Tail Lights
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davec1957 View Drop Down
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Joined: Jul/09/2010
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Points: 385 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote davec1957 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Loose Tail Lights
    Posted: Apr/07/2021 at 4:04pm
The tail light sockets in my '70 AMX are occasionally coming out of the housing, usually after driving on a bumpy road. It has gotten progressively worse over the last 5 years. I've replaced the sockets, but the new ones don't stay in place any better than the originals. Anybody have a trick to get the 1157 sockets to stay in place even on a harsh road surface?
1970 AMX Bayshore Blue 390 4-spd GoPac
1970 AMX Commodore Blue 390 4-spd GoPac
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george w View Drop Down
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Points: 2899 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote george w Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr/08/2021 at 7:07am
You say you replaced the sockets. I can't speak for the 1970 tail light housings but my 69 housings have an indexing tab in the socket opening at the 12 o'clock position that locates the socket orientation. My bulb sockets have a open spot on the locking tabs that engages with the tab.
Could it be that the sockets you're using may not have a open spot and that's not allowing the sockets to seat tightly and fully in the housing ?
Long time AMC fan. Ambassador 343, AMX 390, Hornet 360, Spirit 304 and Javelin 390. All but javelin bought new.
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Perrybones View Drop Down
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Points: 274 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Perrybones Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr/09/2021 at 4:38pm
Just another poor AMC design, just push in without a turn and lock. Mine fell out all the time, I replaced with new and it got worse. I just installed the LED custom fit EasyPerformance LEDs, they have problems too. Just cant win with the tail lights on these cars!
Perry 70 Javelin SST 390, 69 AMX 343, 73 AMX 360, 67 Rebel SST Conv and 92 Corvette Conv. (modern muscle to keep wife happy).
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Heavy 488 View Drop Down
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Points: 3552 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Heavy 488 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr/09/2021 at 4:57pm
Just get those magnetic ones they use for towing. Pop em' on the deck lid and problem solved. LOL
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Perrybones View Drop Down
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Points: 274 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Perrybones Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr/09/2021 at 5:14pm
Yeah!  Maybe those ones that go on top of the trunk so dopey phone users dont slam into the back of my hard to get bumper!
(see my post about the LED conversion boards, another fiasco)
Perry 70 Javelin SST 390, 69 AMX 343, 73 AMX 360, 67 Rebel SST Conv and 92 Corvette Conv. (modern muscle to keep wife happy).
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tomj View Drop Down
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Points: 7539 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tomj Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr/09/2021 at 9:50pm
68 AMerican has a similar design; so does 72 Hornet. I'm sure many more. As george w says, there is a 'missing prong' on the socket that aspirationally snaps into the metal reflector. They're also in a terrible location and get bumped a lot. The Hornet is much worse than the 68.

I gently bent all of the prongs slightly wider for a tighter fit, this "helps". But I really have to lean into the trunk to see exactly how to install it. I check it weekly. 

I replaced the 1157/2357's with red LED clusters. I found some inexpensive ones that had LEDs more on the sides then out straight, they work great.
1960 Rambler Super two-door wagon, OHV auto
1961 Roadster American, 195.6 OHV, T5
http://www.ramblerLore.com
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LakesideRamblin View Drop Down
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Points: 2691 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote LakesideRamblin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr/09/2021 at 10:33pm
Tom, can you please share where you obtained the LED's?  Thanks.
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69 Rambler 360
73 Javelin 360
"If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn't sit for a month." T. Roosevelt
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madams View Drop Down
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Points: 599 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote madams Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr/10/2021 at 7:16am
I bought a set of these for a 68 AMX from a forum member.  Work great - the sockets stay in and keep a good electrical connection
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Steve_P View Drop Down
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Points: 3803 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Steve_P Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr/10/2021 at 2:45pm
1970 is different than 1968-9.  70 bulb housings are recessed (they learned something from 68-9) and IIRC uses plastic sockets
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