Headlight gear fix (highly pictorialized)
08-09-2007, 10:40 AM
#43
Drifting
Awesome thread Patches, I particularly like the use of the word "Modicum".... muy bueno skinore!! 
Going to order the kit from Top Down and do this fix to a customer's 1999 Coupe. Better than a $314 motor......
Going to order the kit from Top Down and do this fix to a customer's 1999 Coupe. Better than a $314 motor......
08-09-2007, 10:47 AM
#44
Supporting Tuner
Awesome post, Ed !!!
08-19-2007, 05:37 PM
#47
Melting Slicks
Does anyone happen to know the specs of the two bolts that attach the headlight to the frame???
Apparently the body shop decided to NOT use all the bolts when re-assembling the front end.... ARGH..
Apparently the body shop decided to NOT use all the bolts when re-assembling the front end.... ARGH..
01-31-2009, 10:21 PM
#48
1st Gear
Member Since: Jan 2009
Location: Milton GA
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Question about the headlight motor issue.
Hi Patches!
I'm new to CF but have driven my '98 for 8 years now. Great car but some of the little annoyances are occuring like the headlight issue and the antena won't retract. Read serveral of the posts on the subject and found your pictures and fix. (Excellent, thanks) I've done all of this but found minimal wear on the plasting gear. What I did find is the motor housing is loose. Or broken - but its hard to tell.
The housing area where the worm gear extends into the circular gear casing is plastic, and is not solid as it attaches to the motor / metal housing around the motor itself. correct me if I'm wrong but this shouldn't be loose right? there is a crack or seam here but this doesn't seem right.
If this is broken, where can I get a new one? there is a code in white lettering on the metal motor housing (16530235LH, 0690) I'm assuming this is some kind of assembly number.
JB
I'm new to CF but have driven my '98 for 8 years now. Great car but some of the little annoyances are occuring like the headlight issue and the antena won't retract. Read serveral of the posts on the subject and found your pictures and fix. (Excellent, thanks) I've done all of this but found minimal wear on the plasting gear. What I did find is the motor housing is loose. Or broken - but its hard to tell.
The housing area where the worm gear extends into the circular gear casing is plastic, and is not solid as it attaches to the motor / metal housing around the motor itself. correct me if I'm wrong but this shouldn't be loose right? there is a crack or seam here but this doesn't seem right.
If this is broken, where can I get a new one? there is a code in white lettering on the metal motor housing (16530235LH, 0690) I'm assuming this is some kind of assembly number.
JB
Last edited by Tact; 10-15-2009 at 05:19 PM.
01-31-2009, 10:36 PM
#49
Safety Car
Member Since: Nov 2003
Location: San Diego, CA "leaf" "tee" "e"
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JB, would you please unquote all of that? It makes this thread so much harder to read.
As to your problem, if your plastic casing is cracked, there are two ways to fix it. The best way it to do some plastic welding. This fixes, and can even strengthen, the area of the crack. This is something that some motorcycle racers do with their plastics to repair crash damage and prevent future damage.
Plastic welding can seem a little intimidating, so you should also check out Plasti-weld. It's not as good as real plastic welding, but it may be good enough.
As to your problem, if your plastic casing is cracked, there are two ways to fix it. The best way it to do some plastic welding. This fixes, and can even strengthen, the area of the crack. This is something that some motorcycle racers do with their plastics to repair crash damage and prevent future damage.
Plastic welding can seem a little intimidating, so you should also check out Plasti-weld. It's not as good as real plastic welding, but it may be good enough.
10-09-2009, 09:16 PM
#52
Hate to bring up such an old thread (but a GREAT one)
but i'm having a problem
I replaced my broken plastic gears with the metal ones, but the motors are now jamming
i can turn the **** to unjam the motor and the headlights go up fine
turn them off and odds are they will jam again on the next activation
anyone have this problem?
but i'm having a problem
I replaced my broken plastic gears with the metal ones, but the motors are now jamming
i can turn the **** to unjam the motor and the headlights go up fine
turn them off and odds are they will jam again on the next activation
anyone have this problem?
01-04-2010, 08:22 PM
#55
Race Director
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2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Patches, thanks again for another great write up and post (with pics). 
I know these repairs can be a PITA, however once I get involved, I enjoy the quality time I spend with the Vette. Plus I know I am going to take my time and be real careful unlike some auto shops.
Edit - I just now realized this thread is almost 3 years old. Oh well, great write-up anyway Patches!
I know these repairs can be a PITA, however once I get involved, I enjoy the quality time I spend with the Vette. Plus I know I am going to take my time and be real careful unlike some auto shops.
Edit - I just now realized this thread is almost 3 years old. Oh well, great write-up anyway Patches!
01-05-2010, 10:23 AM
#57
Drifting
Great post and great pictures. Just an FYI for those that haven't tackled this project yet, if your car is a 99 or older model, you don't have to worry about splitting the case apart to get to the gears and then glueing the covers back together again because GM originally made the covers with screws that can be removed and then refastened. This greatly simplifies the job. On another side note, to prevent the gears from failing, do not open your headlights while driving at high speeds. The shock from the air hitting the face of the headlamps really takes a toll on the plastic gears. However the gears will naturally crap out eventuallly just from the torque of the motor and the weakness of the plastic gear material in time.
Last edited by MG RED 99; 01-05-2010 at 10:30 AM.
01-05-2010, 12:27 PM
#58
Racer
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Ah the wind jam shock! That explains it. I got the crappy Canadian Spec Z. Auto opening head lamps cannot be turned off. Followed the options and then read the owners manual. Says it can't be turned off on Can Spec cars.
01-06-2010, 05:45 PM
#60
Drifting
Just a suggestion, and I don't know if this would work on your car, but can't you pull the fuse for the Daytime running lamps. Would this possibly defeat the auto open feature.