Anyone know how important it is to change these "seal packing" things?

 

from talking to the dealer, the seal packing only comes with a new tail-light. they can't be purchased separately. now, that's pretty dumb saying as to how you have to remove the tail-light in order to replace the bulbs.

 

I installed my PIAA reverse lights a few months ago and it took me about an hour to figure out how to get my tails out/off to get those bulbs in there, and then a few weeks ago was able to get my old 03 lights swapped with my new 06 JDMs in about 20 minutes. I would guess the seal packing has to do with opening the actual housing? I didn't notice anything like that (other than the rubber lip around the housing which is quite sturdy.) that would need to be replaced.