the bolt wont brake, the plastic behind it will, once i get it off i can have easier access to the bolt. if all fails then this is the way out....

 

Is it rusted on (which is a bad thing given the location of tail lamps) or is it just really tight?

Eitherway spray some brake cleaner on it.

 

very carefully

 

i broke it off and it turns out it was rusted on. i got the bolt of though and was able to put the new lamps on.

 

heres a tip. I did this on my MAP sensor when I had to replace it. And that is a sensitive subject. First never try to force any screw out. It'll break or strip as you know. Give the screw a good tap, with either a small metal bar, or the screw driver itself while in the screw. A plastic or rubber mallet is perfect. Go easy with a regular hammer. That will break the screw, or bolt loose. You'll feel it give a little kind of like a nail going in like a milimeter. I've seen this work many times, all of them when I was afraid I would strip it.