The Mercury Sable was originally introduced in 1986 (alongside its sister vehicle, the Ford Taurus). The Sable has undergone several redesigns over the years, which included many changes to its taillight assembly. The procedure for replacing the taillight bulbs in models years from 2000 to 2006 is the same for the Sable and the Ford Taurus. Other model years should be similar, but it's best to refer to your owner's manual to ensure that you purchase the correct bulb type.
Turn your engine off and put on your gloves before beginning.
Open your trunk and examine the rear corner to find the taillight access panel. Remove the two nuts (by hand) and remove the three push pin connectors (insert the tip of a screwdriver into the center, and then pull them out). Remove the access panel and peel back the layer of carpet.
Remove the four bolts mounting the taillight assembly. You can use a pair of pliers or a small socket wrench. Push the taillight assembly out, securing the other side with your hand.
Remove the proper bulb socket (outside bulb is the turn signal, inside bulb is the brake light) by turning it counterclockwise. Remove the bulb from the socket and install the new one.
Reinsert the socket and turn it clockwise. Remount the taillight assembly and tighten the four bolts. Position the carpet back in place and replace the service panel.
Tighten the nuts and then replace the push pin connectors. To replace the push pins, insert them into their mount and apply pressure around the edges.
