I have a '79 Lincoln that is all original. One of the reverse lights is out, and I went to remove the socket to replace the bulb. I suspect on this car, the socket has never been removed from the tail light housing. So, it's stuck in there tight. I've tried to turn it and tried pushing while I turned it, but no luck. It won't budge. Is there any kind of penetrant, like penetrating oil, that is safe to use on plastic? Otherwise, I'm afraid I'm going to break something getting the socket out of the housing

 

I would think some kind of silicone spray that's safe for plastics at an auto parts store.

 

^^^This. Use only silicone products. Any petroleum-based products will eventually attack the plastic.

 

So would WD-40 be safe?

 

What do you think?

 

I've used Simple Green and a toothbrush in the past to clean and then disassemble plastic wiring connectors. It seems to work well.

 

Try a heat gun or hair dryer that sometimes works. Don't get too aggressive and melt something..... Tedd

 

Try removing the other backup light socket. Sometime "technique" is important if you've never removed it before. Be sure there is no "lock" that needs to be released. Try the silicone. Try Tedd's suggestion. An extension of it would be to SLIGHTLY heat the housing while cooling the socket if you can. Another possibility would be to GENTLY tap on the socket. Also you could try one of the Lincoln or Ford forums. Someone else may have already had the same problem.