[OptimusPrime]

One of my tail light sockets (the ones with the long white fingers is broken. One of the locking tabs was broken and the socket would not stay in place.

I went to O'reilly's auto and found a GMC snap in socket ($5) and pulled out the metal piece inside. I cut the bottom tabs off, straightened out the top tabs, bent the top tabs down and cut them to size. I then pushed the metal piece inside the broken socket between the plastic housing and the metal socket (it takes a little manipulation to get it in but if you use a needlenose to make the metal ring round, it will fit just fine).

Next I potted the piece in place with expoxy. It workes great and is tight. I realize I did not need both tabs as one is still intact, but I thought it would look too Rube Goldberg like if I only had one tab. As it is, you would need to look close to realize it was repaired with a metal piece. I did find a new plastic socket for $125 AARRGGG!! so I decided to repair it. One thing to note, you must bend the one tab down as low as the bottom of the other tab so the rubber washer gets compressed the same and the socket it tight and does not move.

See pictures in order:

[wetpet]

nice work around. love to see things easily fixed rather than replaced.

[a1exander]

Originally Posted by wetpet

nice work around. love to see things easily fixed rather than replaced.

+1.

[tazandjan]

Very ingenious.