So I had to remove the rear lamp assembly (tailights) to make room for a drill hole for paintless dent removal on a both rear quarter panels of my 05 g coupe (there were shallow but fairly large dent(s) on both sides that looked like someone leaned on the panel or pushed into it).

The fsm didn't seem to offer much help, except to remove the nuts and pull out the assembly. The wiring for the lamps were held together by a narrow red clip and the wires had to come off this clip so the assembly could be removed far enough for room to work. (unless there was another way to release the wiring from the other side without messing with the wires in the clip to get slack??)

However, in getting the wires off the clip, it was really tight and the clip was slightly brittle, so the clip ended up snapping off. I think the sole purpose of the clip is to hold the wires in place so they do pinch or hang? There was no choice but to put back the assembly with the wiring not being neatly held in place by the clip since it broke off.

My rear lights are functioning and the dents are gone, but I'm obsessing over the broken clips. Since the clips are directly attached to the assembly, I think the only way to get new ones is with a brand new assembly.

Do you guys think I should be ok without this small clip that neatly holds the wiring down directly on the back of the assembly? Has this happened to anyone else when removing the rear lamp assembly?

Thx!