How to Replace Brake Lights on a Ford

Like every other type of light, brake lights don't last forever. Replacing them on an automobile such as a Ford can seem daunting. Fortunately brake lights, unlike brakes themselves, can be replaced on Fords quickly and easily.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wrench
• Pliers
• Screwdriver
• Light bulbs

Replace the Brake Light in a Ford Car

1. Locate the brake light assembly. This is found in the trunk of the car, and you will need to pull aside the lining of the trunk to access it.

2. Loosen and remove the three nuts that connect the brake light assembly to the rear lamp mounting studs.

3. Remove the brake light assembly by pulling it out of the Ford body. Avoid scraping it against the sides, as it will damage the paint.

4. Grasp the light bulb socket and twist it counterclockwise until the socket can be removed from the assembly. Be sure not to use excessive force when twisting the socket to avoid damaging it or breaking the light bulb.

5. Pull the light bulb out of the brake light socket. The brake light bulb for a Ford does not have a thread on its base, so it does not require being twisted out.

6. Replace the light bulb with one of the same wattage. Push it in gently but firmly.

7. Twist the socket back into the brake light assembly. The socket has an indexing tab on it that must be lined up with the corresponding slot on the brake light assembly, and turning the socket clockwise will lock it into position.

8. Replace the brake light assembly in its housing. Place the nuts onto the mounting studs and tighten them. Replace the trunk lining and close the trunk.

9. Understand that each Ford car has subtle differences. Before removing the brake light assembly on each car, take the time to examine how it is held in place and what tools will be required to remove it.

Replace Brake Lights on a Ford Pickup Truck

10. Open the tailgate of the pickup truck. This will reveal the compartments in which the brake light assemblies are stored, each of which is kept in place by two screws.

11. Loosen and remove the screws keeping the brake light assembly in place. Put the screws in a safe area to prevent loss.

12. Pull out the brake light assembly. Be sure to avoid pulling the assembly out at an angle in order to avoid scratching the paint, an error which will be more obvious on a pickup truck than in the trunk of a car.

13. Twist the light bulb socket located in the brake light assembly counterclockwise in order to remove it. Then grasp the light bulb and pull it out. Since the light bulb does not have threads, unscrewing it is not necessary.

14. Replace the light bulb with one that has the same wattage. Push it into the socket firmly but without using excessive force.

15. Place the socket into the brake light assembly. Figure out how to line up the socket tab with the corresponding slot in the brake light assembly and then twist it clockwise until the socket locks in place.

16. Replace the brake light assembly in the pickup truck body. Insert the screws into their connecting holes and tighten them.

17. Close the tailgate.

Tips & Warnings

• Ford cars and Ford pickup trucks have their own distinct ways in which to replace the brake lights. The method of how to change brake lights in Ford minivans, conversion vans and sport utility vehicles, however, differs from vehicle to vehicle. Some of these Ford vehicles will have brake light assemblies more common to a pickup truck than a car, while other vehicles of the same type will have brake light assemblies that have more in common with an automobile. Examine your Ford vehicle before you begin the brake light replacement process.

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