Has anyone fixed their 3rd brake light themselves?

I have the recall notice. I really don't like the extra bezel which looks like it is just to cover the excess sealant that oozes out. Mine isn't leaking as far as I can tell. Do later years do something different that one could buy those parts for the later year and "upgrade" the 3rd light that way? I really don't trust the dealership and if I can avoid them I would like to do so even if I have to foot the bill.

 

I agree 100% with you. Thought about going to the Service Manager and seeing if they will give me the parts for self-install - No way I am going to make an appointment and then have to leave it all day for a 30 minute job. Doubt seriously they would do this. So likely option is to purchase and do install and then send them the materials receipt for refund.

Edit: went to fleabay and bought the one noted below and in link - the newest version. Worth the $ to just do it myself and not let the stealer touch my truck or waste my time.

 

I felt the same way so I did mine myself. Make sure you buy the brake light with the new part number. The foam gasket is a different material. You don’t need to remove the entire headliner. Just remove the coat hanger hooks and corner plastic where the rear seatbelts are and the headliner will drop JUST enough to reach the bolts. Mine wasn’t that bad because I have a DiamondBack bed cover and was able to lay on my back and reach through the rear window to remove the 2 bolts. Bought one of these

$16 Cal-Van Tools 108 Mini Finger Ratchet , Blue

https://www.amazon.com/Cal-Van-Tool...48567906&sprefix=thumb+ratchet,aps,172&sr=8-5 and it helped tremendously.

 

Thank you. Just what I wanted to know. I'm assuming the gasket comes with the brake light assembly. Happen to have that part #? Would help me and others for future searches. I have on of those tools I use fairly often.

 

I found this thread which pretty much covers it.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/yes-another-leaking-third-brake-light-thread.558122/page-4

 

Part number for the newer brake light is 81570-04051. The gasket comes already attached to the light. I used Goo-gone to clean the old gasket off then cleaned with alcohol before sticking the new light on. Also, I thought the headliner would be flimsy and was afraid of creasing it. It’s more reinforced than you’d think at the back. Still be careful though. A creased headliner would ruin your day for sure. I had my wife help by holding tension on it while I removed the nuts. One other tip. The hardest part was getting the nuts started on the new light. If you drop one, you’ll have to fish it out with a magnet. There’s just no room to get your fingers in there to get it started. You’ll see what I mean when you get to that point. I cheated and cut about a 4” section of clear tubing that was just large enough to press the nut into. Use that to get it started then just pull the tubing off and finish tightening with a deep socket. Worked like a charm.

 

I’d probably go with the new design, but I’m not looking forward to removing and installing my Meso hex rack.

Will probably just buy the gasket as others have.

 

Are the 2022's involved in this?

 

I replaced it myself. I have a 2017 though so can't really say for newer ones. Should be pretty much the same.

This is more or less what I did.

 

You can request reimbursement from Toyota through the app so keep your receipts. My request was denied because I can’t find a receipt or the CC statement that showed the Orta purchase.

 

I replaced my light with my Meso Hex rack in place. Toyota says they can’t though. Another reason I do this stuff myself.

 

Tell me more…

Did you have to loosen anything?

 

when I had my 2016 and found it started leaking. I was out of my 36k and it was still a TSB and they wouldnt replace it and wanted like $500 for the new one.
So I taped a very tight line around the light and siliconed it real good and after the tape was removed the line was so thin you could not see it unless you were up on it and it Never leaked again. I did buy the upgraded gasket but didnt want to get into the whole drop the headliner and all and the silicone took me 5min

 

Not on the hex rack. See my post above. Only removed the coat hanger hooks, top portion of the plastic corner trim and the weather strip above the rear doors. Headliner will drop enough to reach the brake light bolts. It’s a tight squeeze but with some patience and acrobatics, it can be done.