CarAndDriver

After doing this....here are my additional recommendations.

1. Removing the side marker should be described with more detail. There is a little plastic nub/peg on the top of the rear tab and that needs to be pushed down out of a hole in the body to get the side marker to come out from the car. Take a look at a loose side marker and you can see it.

2. Get yourself some skinny pliers so you can pull that reflector out easier. Use the pliers to bend the corners and sides inward the best you can. Unless you bend them, you are not going to get it out of the hole. Bend first and then work the reflector out with a screwdriver. And patience--its a big pain.

3. Get yourself a can of compressed air to blow out any reflective particles that may come off the reflector when you work it out. Using the pliers, I left quite a bit of dust that I had to blow out.

My result: a driver's side marker with no scratches and a passenger side marker with a couple very very tiny marks that are unnoticeable.

I didn't think it would make that much a difference, but I love the clear markers now that they are on and the internal reflector is gone. I did plug the light in with the reflector to see what it looked like. It was a bit funny looking.

I put a regular amber bulb in there so I could be closer to the law than with stealth bulbs here in California.

Deslock

FYI, their cheap incandescent stealth bulbs melted the nearby plastic so that the clear corners and bulb sockets fused together (meaning I can't replace the burnt out bulbs). Too bad they didn't have amber LEDs 3 years ago when I put the clear corners in... now I gotta install new sockets and either my original amber markers or another set of clear corners.

CTrx8

iTrader: (2)

C&D--
turned out pretty nice. it's not as noticeable with the amber bulbs as i thought it would be.

CarAndDriver

They remind me of some of the side Euro turn signals some cars are coming with on the side mirrors/side panels that have the hint of the orange bulbs behind the clear lenses.

S1lveRx8

iTrader: (1)

Easy installation Took about 10 Minutes w/ just a small phillips, however I didn't bother with the reflector. Too much of a pain for me. Looks good either way...

Zephyrzone

Awesome photos and advice from everyone. I got my clear corners and stealth bulbs in today. Going to install tonight, can't wait!

ryan031581

I received mine today, and installed them. I used the stock bulb, and not the amber bulb that came with the clear corner. I have to post pics later, but has anyone done this? I wonder how it will look at night, and is this set up legal? Would there be any difference if I used the bulb that came with the corner?

And thanks for the DIY posts.

Mazurfer

Have to check with your state on that one. I'll tell you that in Florida I have used bright white LED's in my clear corners and haven't been pulled over. I don't even know if it's legal here or not?????? Many, many people are running white LED's and/or standard clear bulbs in the corners. Keep the amber bulbs just in case you get pulled, but I doubt you will.
Yes...............if you use the ones that came with the clear corners, you will see a difference..........................then your light will be amber! Sorry, I couldn't resist!
BTW, did you pull out the reflector? I'm not saying you should..as it can be a bitch until you have done one, I'm just curious. I think mine look better without the reflector but again.............I'm not using bulbs.

ryan031581

Lol. My light would be amber. I can't resist being a smart *** either sometimes.

I did not pull out the reflector so I could see what it is like with it in. Plus it looked a little hard to do. I am not a handy person. It took me a good 45 minutes to do the install. I had much trouble taking out the OEM corners as it was. I just got home, and it is still a little dark. I am not sure if I like it. I do like the way it looks sitting in the drive way, just not the bulbs.

Is removing the bulb is as simple as indicated on the first page of this thread? You just remove the actual bulb, meaning the glass/plastic round tip?

Mazurfer

Well, now since you know how to take out the side markers it would be easy. The biggest trick you've already dealt with and that's finding that little tab to release them so you can pull the whole thing out(that and the one screw). Anyway, you'd take them back out and with a 1/4 twist the bulb socket would remove from the housing. Then you just would have to unplug the bulb since these are basically 194 type sockets. You've got the old markers right? You can see how the bulbs come out using that one before you do the clears if you decide to do so. So your answer is "yes" although I should go look at the first page. If it's different I will let you know....otherwise, your good to go. And yes..............the reflector inside can be a pain in the butt and it's easy to dork up the clear lenses when getting it out. Leave it alone if you're unsure.

ryan031581

I attached a picture of me removing the OEM corner. Did I do it correctly, or was I suppose to remove the bulb also?

I also posted before and after pics. I know its dirty, but when it rains everyday, what can you do?

salituro64

If I am removing the front nose to install the Hymee oil cooler protectors, will I be able to install the clear corners without removing the panel inside the wheel well?

Mazurfer

Removing the bulb doesn't matter. You're last pic implies that you did remove that bulb and used the amber bulb right? I like it with a clear or white light better, but then we are back to what will be allowed in the Bayou!

Dave

Mazurfer

Don't have to remove the panel, just have to take out about three of the push pins. Just enough to reach in and get that that little plastic clip(so to speak) and the screw that holds them in. If you are gonna remove the bumper, you should have little fear in doing the corners!

laythor

You have to undo those fastners anyway to remove the nose, as well as the corners.

Mazurfer

I thought so........I couldn't remember, so I didn't want to say it!

ryan031581

I left the stock bulbs connected to the car. I removed the bulbs that came with the clear corners. The bulbs that were connected to the car look more white than yellow or orange. I had some body work done on my car, and I am not sure if they hooked those lights back up stock. There is tape, but then again, maybe that is stock.

Zephyrzone

Popped in the clear corners. Ordered them from Ebay- $40 shipped. Got Stealth bulbs for $30. I removed the reflector as advised and do prefer the look with it out. The removal process left some slight scratches inside the lens but they are unnoticeable from more than a few inches away. Definitely worth it, but I don't see how these can be removed without leaving at least a few scratches. It just seems impossible.

Stealth bulbs looks great and the clear looks sooooo much better on the red than the clashing amber. I'm also in the minority, but I think the flares lenses look better and more aggressive than then US spec.

A.Mair

just installed mine, a lot easier than i expected with the explanation, i was just real carefulk when removing the reflector. all i did was got a small phillips screwdriver to loosen it and then get a larger one to completely break it free then ease it out if the corner. I love this look for just 80 dollars.

Thanks for the tutorial

firebirdude

iTrader: (3)

Doing this now.

First: Genuine Mazda clear corners direct from Japan can be had for $52 shipped off Ebay.

Second: That little plastic REAR TAB or what have ya... is the worst part. Push it forward of the car and start to slightly push downward towards the ground. Between those two movements, it should come free every time without breaking

And lastly.... to anyone thinking about just installing them and leaving the reflector....DONT. It DOES look like crap. I have no friggin idea why they would put that bull$%^& in the lens. Got one side done and decided to see how it looked. TERRIBLE. Turned them right off and started removing the reflector in the other one. lol Used a huge screw driver. Reflector popped free in under 30 seconds. Regular needle nose had it out in under 30 seconds. Yes. 1 minute reflector removal. lol

robel82

Would it be too much to ask for night pics with and w/o the reflector in the housing? This isnt necessarily directed towards the OP just anyone. I just wanna know if worth potentialy damaging the side marker.

laythor

Here's a link to a thread I posted awhile back. Shows pictures of the clear corners in the day and night. Reflectors were removed.

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-multimedia-photo-gallery-6/my-baby-114983/

msrecant

Hopefully, someone who did not remove the reflectors will post a night picture.

However, if you are really not sure, I would suggest you install the side-markers with the reflectors in place. If you like it, leave it. If not, pop the side markers out, remove the reflectors and re-install. Removing and re-installing the side markers are pretty quick, particularly if you have already done it once.

smokedRX8

Well I can say from experience that dealing with these markers can be a bitch. i broke through one of mine the first time i tried to remove a reflector and had to order a new pair. (sucks pretty bad). Havent had them installed but i am gonna run a white 6 LED bulb in mine to match my parking lights. does anyone know if thats legal in NC? their gonna be smoked which will make it a bit darker light but still noticeable. i really think cops have better things to do...

firebirdude

iTrader: (3)

Exactly. It's not that big of a deal. I tried it real quick without them and instantly decided I needed to remove the reflectors. Barely any light comes through with them in. Also, I don't know how your broke through the whole lens by removing the reflector, but I was certainly not careful and managed to get them out without really scratching anything.