Headlight Boot Lube??

So...I broke the retainer spring off my headlight prying the boot off the back of the lamp as it was just crazy tight stuck on there. Basically it gripped the base of the light so tight that it ripped it and the retainer out. This broke the place on the headlight where the spring anchors.

New headlight housing is on the way.

My question is do you guys normally coat the rubber seal with something to make it come off easier next time or do I need to contend with trying to hold the bulb in place while yanking the silly boot of every time. It turned out to be a two person affair for the other light. It really is CRAZY tight.

Would dielectric grease hold up here?

FWIW...I got the truck used and dont know if they are the factory lights or what.

thanks

Bryan

 

I broke my clip last year. Just put the rubber boot on, it holds the bulb OK. A couple of strips of duct tape on top of the boot and BOOM! Doesn't move at all. Almost a year and still going strong.

 

You could always use the same lube for spark plug boots on the headlight seal if you were so inclined. I think taking it off every summer to clean and refresh the rubber would also work.

 

I ended up fixing my headlight bulb retainer using this method: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/fix-for-broken-headlight-clip-retainer.414005/ I put it off to the side a little bit as there is a whole lot more meat to drill into.

Lubed everything with spark plug boot grease and dielectric grease, where applicable, and its working fine for now. Hopefully it comes off easily next time. Or I may just swap out the stock lights for the TRD Pro housings.