Tail Light Rubber Seals

[bpossel]

I recently installed new rubber seals on my tail lights (when I bought my car, none were on the car).

The new rubber is very thick.  With the new rubber installed, the chrome strips on each side of the lights are now ~1/4 from the body.  To get it that close to the body required tightening the 4 screws on the tail lights to the point I felt like they were going to break.  Is this normal?

Anyway, has anyone else experienced this?  Are the lights supposed to be very tight, sqashing the rubber?

Also, should there be a rubber strip behind the chrome strips on each side of the lights?  If yes, who sells these?  

Thanks,
Bob

bpossel
Memphis, TN.
1971 280SL
1997 E320

[Jonny B]

I can't help on the rubber seals for the tail lights, but for the later model cars, there is a small rubber strip that goes behind the chrome strip. There have been a number of discussion threads about this, if you try "restoration detail" in the search engine you should find the list of comments.

Jonny B
1967 250SL Auto

[TA250SL]

Gernold at www.sltechw113.com sells the rubber trim that fits under the chrome strips.

Tom
1967 250SL
Los Angeles