LED Taillight Gap 2018 Camaro

Fiyero88 · 01-07-2022, 06:46 AM

So I went ahead and installed some aftermarket led taillights. There's no a small gap1/4" on the outside lip of the taillights. Everything is seated and I reinstalled the three bolts but still a gap. Could this be cause by the two weird chsitmas tree connectors permenetly installed by chevy for the two end posts on the lights? No matter how hard I smack it and push it in it still gaps. No wires are blocking anything.

KyBoy · 01-07-2022, 08:08 AM

Aftermarket quality control more than likely. Return them for another set.

We can see too far.

arpad_m · 01-07-2022, 01:18 PM

Not sure what you expect of us, these are aftermarket lights and their dimensions may or may not match. I'd make sure the two posts are pushed all the way in, if that's the case and the gap still remains, it's a defective unit or a defective design.

MightyBobo · 01-07-2022, 01:43 PM

Almost certainly quality control issues w/ aftermarket lights. Aftermarket stuff is almost never built at the same quality as OEM stuff, especially for fitment.

Number 3 · 01-07-2022, 02:12 PM

What are all the scuff marks? Looks like it might have fit but something hit the panel and the lamp.

Fiyero88 · 01-07-2022, 02:18 PM

Was more wondering if I had them in wrong because the side that's sticking out has those orange cone like retainers. When I pulled the oem headlights out the retainers were still in their hole on the cars body. Maybe has something to do with that I dunno

KyBoy · 01-07-2022, 02:25 PM

Should be one set of the orange "cones". If you've got them double up, that may be the issue.

We can see too far.

Fiyero88 · 01-07-2022, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Number 3

What are all the scuff marks? Looks like it might have fit but something hit the panel and the lamp.

That is oil from my hands, the lamp is spotless. I think it has to do with those orange Christmas tree looking clips. When I removed the oem lights,the retainers stayed in the body and didn't come out with the light. I'll have to modify something I'm sure.

Fiyero88 · 01-07-2022, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KyBoy

Should be one set of the orange "cones". If you've got them double up, that may be the issue.

We can see too far.

Each lamp housing area has two orange cones so two on the left and two in the right. They seem to be permenetly installed to the body of the car, the orange cones didn't come off when I pulled the oem lights

Fiyero88 · 01-07-2022, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arpad_m

Not sure what you expect of us, these are aftermarket lights and their dimensions may or may not match. I'd make sure the two posts are pushed all the way in, if that's the case and the gap still remains, it's a defective unit or a defective design.

The two end posts that go into the orange Christmas tree like Retainer, are attached to the body of the car, when I put the new taillights in they go on fine except I do see a gap between the threaded screw and the orange Christmas tree cone retainers. Not sure if they need to be pulled out of the body of the car and inserted to the threaded bolt of the new oem lights or not.

KyBoy · 01-07-2022, 02:37 PM

Those aren't cheap tails, I couldn't really see the quality being that bad.

Been a long time since I installed my OEM black tails, but I thought there were only one orange retainer per post.

Fiyero88 · 01-07-2022, 02:53 PM

I wish I had a guide that explains how those orange retainers work, I have a feeling they are the problem. Or even a guide that shows installation of taillights on a 2018 camaro lol.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KyBoy

Those aren't cheap tails, I couldn't really see the quality being that bad.

Been a long time since I installed my OEM black tails, but I thought there were only one orange retainer per post.

KyBoy · 01-07-2022, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiyero88

I wish I had a guide that explains how those orange retainers work, I have a feeling they are the problem. Or even a guide that shows installation of taillights on a 2018 camaro lol.

YouTube is your friend.

We can see too far.

arpad_m · 01-07-2022, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiyero88

The two end posts that go into the orange Christmas tree like Retainer, are attached to the body of the car, when I put the new taillights in they go on fine except I do see a gap between the threaded screw and the orange Christmas tree cone retainers. Not sure if they need to be pulled out of the body of the car and inserted to the threaded bolt of the new oem lights or not.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KyBoy

Those aren't cheap tails, I couldn't really see the quality being that bad.

Been a long time since I installed my OEM black tails, but I thought there were only one orange retainer per post.

There are two (maybe three?) on each side, and the orange part is supposed to remain on the body indeed. The only thing I can think of is still that the metal pegs didn't properly go all the way into these orange retainers, it did happen to me once when trying to install the OEM dark taillights, and a little wiggling solved it. The service manual isn't too descriptive (see below), and it's been a while for me, too

This gap is huge, it would be an obvious defect that any QA would pick up immediately.

01-07-2022, 06:46 AM	#1
Fiyero88 Drives: 2018 Chevy Camaro 1LT Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: FL Posts: 130	LED Taillight Gap 2018 Camaro So I went ahead and installed some aftermarket led taillights. There's no a small gap1/4" on the outside lip of the taillights. Everything is seated and I reinstalled the three bolts but still a gap. Could this be cause by the two weird chsitmas tree connectors permenetly installed by chevy for the two end posts on the lights? No matter how hard I smack it and push it in it still gaps. No wires are blocking anything. Attached Images Last edited by Fiyero88; 01-07-2022 at 07:09 AM.

01-07-2022, 08:08 AM	#2
KyBoy Drives: '17 2SS H50 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Louisa, Ky Posts: 3,952	Aftermarket quality control more than likely. Return them for another set. We can see too far. __________________ 2017 H50-2SS-MN6-F55-NPP-RIK-WL4-IO6 1100 - 5/26 0000 - Cancelled - 7/5 Contacted Becky - 7/1 2000 - 7/5 3000 - 7/6 3000 - 7/11 TPW 8/1 3100 - 7/18 TPW 8/1 3300 - 7/20 3400 - 7/21 Built - 8/2 - PS 1,182/1 of 699US 4300 - 8/3 5000 - 8/5 6000 - 8/13

01-07-2022, 01:18 PM	#3
arpad_m Drives: 2018 Camaro 2SS A8 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 11,625 View My Garage	Not sure what you expect of us, these are aftermarket lights and their dimensions may or may not match. I'd make sure the two posts are pushed all the way in, if that's the case and the gap still remains, it's a defective unit or a defective design. __________________ 2018 Camaro 2SS — G7E MX0 NPP F55 IO6 735 rwhp \| 665 rwtq Magnuson TVS 2300 80mm pulley \| Kooks 1 7/8" LT headers \| JRE smooth idle terminator cam \| LT4 FS & injectors \| TSP forged pistons & rods JMS PowerMAX \| DSX flex fuel kit \| Roto-Fab CAI \| Soler 95mm LT5 TB \| 1LE wheels \| 1LE brakes \| BMR rear cradle lockout \| JRE custom tune 1100 - 1/30/18 \| 2000 - 1/31/18 3000 - 2/06/18 TPW 2/26/18 3400 - 2/19/18 \| 3800 - 2/26/18 4300 - 2/27/18 \| 4B00 - 3/01/18 4200 - 3/05/18 \| 4800 - 3/14/18 5000 - 3/16/18 \| 6000 - 3/19/18

01-07-2022, 01:43 PM	#4
MightyBobo Drives: 2022 VOM 2SS 1LE M6 Camaro Join Date: Nov 2021 Location: Vegas, baby...Vegas... Posts: 816	Almost certainly quality control issues w/ aftermarket lights. Aftermarket stuff is almost never built at the same quality as OEM stuff, especially for fitment. __________________ 2022 Vivid Orange 2SS 1LE ordered (BDQDHT, 1G1FG1R7XN0108251) - ETA 20220223 20211120 - 1100 --- 20211207 - 2500 20211208 - 3000 (TPW: was 20220103, now 20220124) 20211220 - 3400 (TPW: 20220110) 20220114 - 3800 --- 20220122 - 4300 (1LE Wrap Shuffle) 20220125 - 4B00 --- 20220129 - 4200 (Shipped! ETA: 20220223) 20220212 - 4800 --- 20220216 - 6000! 2024 Silverado EV RST First Edition on reserve, as well.

01-07-2022, 02:12 PM	#5
Number 3 Hail to the King baby! Drives: '19 XT4 2.0T & '22 VW Atlas 2.0T Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Illinois Posts: 12,173 View My Garage	What are all the scuff marks? Looks like it might have fit but something hit the panel and the lamp. __________________ "Speed, it seems to me, provides the one genuinely modern pleasure." - Aldous Huxley

01-07-2022, 02:18 PM	#6
Fiyero88 Drives: 2018 Chevy Camaro 1LT Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: FL Posts: 130	Was more wondering if I had them in wrong because the side that's sticking out has those orange cone like retainers. When I pulled the oem headlights out the retainers were still in their hole on the cars body. Maybe has something to do with that I dunno

01-07-2022, 02:25 PM	#7
KyBoy Drives: '17 2SS H50 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Louisa, Ky Posts: 3,952	Should be one set of the orange "cones". If you've got them double up, that may be the issue. We can see too far. __________________ 2017 H50-2SS-MN6-F55-NPP-RIK-WL4-IO6 1100 - 5/26 0000 - Cancelled - 7/5 Contacted Becky - 7/1 2000 - 7/5 3000 - 7/6 3000 - 7/11 TPW 8/1 3100 - 7/18 TPW 8/1 3300 - 7/20 3400 - 7/21 Built - 8/2 - PS 1,182/1 of 699US 4300 - 8/3 5000 - 8/5 6000 - 8/13

01-07-2022, 02:37 PM	#11
KyBoy Drives: '17 2SS H50 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Louisa, Ky Posts: 3,952	LED Taillight Gap 2018 Camaro Those aren't cheap tails, I couldn't really see the quality being that bad. Been a long time since I installed my OEM black tails, but I thought there were only one orange retainer per post. __________________ 2017 H50-2SS-MN6-F55-NPP-RIK-WL4-IO6 1100 - 5/26 0000 - Cancelled - 7/5 Contacted Becky - 7/1 2000 - 7/5 3000 - 7/6 3000 - 7/11 TPW 8/1 3100 - 7/18 TPW 8/1 3300 - 7/20 3400 - 7/21 Built - 8/2 - PS 1,182/1 of 699US 4300 - 8/3 5000 - 8/5 6000 - 8/13

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