More Overpriced Junk | Tom's Tails

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by Dezoris

The answer then is to move to California or should I bottle the water and send it to you?

Bottle the water and distribute here for a profit.

[Sportsguy83]

Originally Posted by Dezoris

The deal is I had OEM tails leak twice. Had them replaced and most recent TSB done and they did not leak after.

So, you know I had to screw around and replace them with the USDM Toms.
Followed TSB and made sure they were tightened properly (basically not tightened.)

Well just look at them. Junk @FT-86 SpeedFactory

I hear your pain. Local BRZ owner had three set of Tom's leak.

Got fed up with it, did the forum DIY new gaskets and all perfect from that moment on. At least its fixable, but nonetheless sucks.

Later on I got a leaky set for cheap, applied the fix too and perfect.

[Beyer Subaru]

My factory tails and my Tom's tails both leaked. All you gotta do is go to the dealer and order up a set of the "newest" gaskets and install. I always recommend to leave the interior carpet pealed back after install, drive the car for a little while and go back to re-tighten the nuts. This should "fix" it. My Tom's have been leak free now for thousands of miles. Good Luck!!

[drewbot]

Tighten them like a mofo...

[Diode Dynamics]

Tom's tail lights are manufactured by DEPO, one of the best automotive housing manufacturing companies in the world. They are certainly not junk, but I'm sorry to see you've had trouble with them OP. I'm sure a few adjustments to the gaskets will prevent this from happening again (like others are suggesting)

Nick C.

[Dezoris]

Originally Posted by Diode Dynamics

Tom's tail lights are manufactured by DEPO, one of the best automotive housing manufacturing companies in the world. They are certainly not junk, but I'm sorry to see you've had trouble with them OP. I'm sure a few adjustments to the gaskets will prevent this from happening again (like others are suggesting)

Nick C.

Ok so they are the best and still leak, so its either them or the car. (Probably car)

I followed service manual and TSBs for install. No instructions included, so the fact I have to do any research on it let alone getting new gaskets, using adhesives etc is in my opinion a crock of sh*t namely for something as simple and plug and play as hunks of $500 plastic lights.

[Dezoris]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

Bottle the water and distribute here for a profit.

Shipping now. Stabilizes temps for higher performance on track when mixed in coolant.

$70 per liter since it's vapor distilled in JDM plastic.

[ZionsWrath]

All cars and parts are shit.

But the more expensive shit tastes better.

nom nom nom

[wheelhaus]

Originally Posted by Dezoris

Shipping now. Stabilizes temps for higher performance on track when mixed in coolant.

$70 per liter since it's vapor distilled in JDM plastic.

In for group buy.

The design of how the housing meets the sheet metal using a dry gasket is going to affect any tail light from any manufacturer. Water is funneled directly on top of the gasket and it gets micro-eroded with water and debris, eventually letting small amounts of water wick past and drip down the backside of the housing, where it can then wick past the bulb seats.

The most permanent fix is a sealant, like silicone or the like. IMO a thicker gasket only delays the inevitable. Ideally you'd run a bead of sealant on both sides of a clean full-circumference gasket so it seals right where the pressure is. I have zero long-term faith in any dry gasket. If the water was funneled differently, even the OEM dry gasket likely would be a non issue.

[Cheeseballs]

Do you have an on again/off again girlfriend that bothers you to no end but you stay with because of the time and money you've invested plus the fact that she romps you in bed like few others in her price range?

Just a strange feeling I've got after watching your (excellent) videos :p

[Kiske]

Did you hit them with an impact? Be honest.

Almost year 2 with mine and still perfect. All seasons driver.

[Foobar]

My passenger side USDM Toms leaked as well - as did my OEM before that. It's definitely the car and how the water channels to the dry gasket.

[robtan]

I just installed some usdm ones and felt like the gaskets were thicker than stock, so I'm pretty confident. My old tails leaked once at 6000 and never again (I'm at 13xxx).

[blue cat]

Make sure there's no dirt on the car or gaskets when installing as i've heard this is the number 1 cause of the condensation issue as it doesn't seal.