It took me about 2 hours.
The tools I required:
– T25 torx
– 8mm socket
– 10mm socket
– socket extension
– magnetic pickup tool
– plastic pry tool for trim removal
– flashlight
Here’s my step-by-step guide for installing a new passenger side tail light, along with pictures. I assume steps for the driver side are similar. I hope this is helpful for everyone!
Step 1: Remove first pillar cover. You need to first remove the plastic “airbag” cap to expose the bolt. Then use 8mm socket to remove the bolt. Then give a good tug on the cover to remove it.
Step 2: Remove second pillar cover. You need to use a 10mm socket to remove the bolt which is next to the airbag. Then pull the cover off.
Step 3: After removing the second pillar cover, you will see the hole in the pillar which will be used to access the top bolt securing the tail light.
Step 4: Here is the tricky part! This step to remove the top bolt from the tail light took me the longest time (about 15 minutes) because I worked very carefully and did not want to drop the bolt inside the pillar! You also will need a flashlight and maneuver the light thru the hole to find the bolt. Use a 8mm socket with an extension to loosen the bolt. I did NOT completely remove the bolt with the socket. After loosening the bolt, I used a magnetic pickup tool to finish loosening the bolt and then remove the bolt from the hole. You may have a better idea to get this done, or if you have a magnetic socket extension it will be easy, but just be careful here!
Step 5: To access the second tail light bolt, you have to remove an interior panel of the cargo area. First, pull the tray out. Then use 8mm socket to remove 2 bolts behind the chrome cargo anchors.
Step 6: Pull the panel out. This required a few good tugs. You do not need to completely remove the panel. Just enough to leave space at the rear to access the electrical connector and the bolt.
Step 7: Disconnect the electrical connector from the tail light. Press firmly on the top part of the connector and then pull it out.
Step 8: To get access to the second tail light bolt, someone else above mentioned they removed the round foam plug. I just pulled back the insulation to expose the bolt and give me more room to work. Try whatever works for you to expose the bolt. Then using a 8mm socket remove the bolt from the the tail light.
Step 9: Now we have to access the third and final tail light bolt which is hidden under the bumper cover. First, remove the wheel trim. Starting from the front, pull firmly on the trim away from the vehicle to release the clips, then work carefully towards the rear. Make sure not to bend the trim too much.
Step 10: Using a T25 torx wrench, remove the 5 screws from the wheel well. (I am not sure if this step is really necessary… but I was following the steps for bumper removal from the Invisihitch installation.).
Step 11: Remove the rubber stop from the cargo area. No tools needed. Just turn counter-clockwise and pull out.
Step 12: Remove the 4 screws from the bottom of the bumper cover using a T25 torx. (This step may also not be necessary. But I didn’t want to take a chance and bend the bumper cover so I did this step).
Step 13: Now back to the wheel well. Using a plastic pry tool, release the 3 clips holding the bumper cover to the wheel well.
Step 14: Working from the wheel well towards the back of the vehicle, pull the bumper cover to release the clips. I did not need to completely remove the bumper cover, just move it enough to expose the tail light bolt.
Step 15: Finally, you will see the third bolt holding the tail light. Using a 8mm socket remove the bolt.
Step 16: With the third bolt removed, now you can remove the tail light assembly!
Steps 17+… Install your new tail light assembly and then reverse all the steps above.
Now you have saved yourself $$$. My dealer wanted to charge me over $200 just for labor!!
I find this process is something we all will have to do at one point or another because the white back-up light bulb is not LED. Eventually the back-up light bulb will burn out and you will have to remove the entire tail light assembly just to replace the bulb. Bad design on Volvo’s part. I do not understand why they made all other lights LEDs except this one bulb.
Hope this saves you some time and money. Thanks to all for good advice!!!