Help with Headlight Bucket Install
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 884
Likes: 1
From: Blacksburg Virginia
Help with Headlight Bucket Install
I am installing the headlight buckets and have replaced the pivot shaft bearings with the nylon *****. I am using the article out of Corvette Magazine but they do not mention lubricating the nylon *****. I thought I read a thread a while back and the person said they lubed the nylon I don't know if it was on the shaft or all over the outer part of the nylon *****. Anybody installed the buckets with the nylon *****?
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 766
Likes: 3
From: Charlotte North Carolina 704-394-5150
Yes I have, both ways Nylon and original style. I used "lubriplate". And made sure that my felt washers had a light coat on them also to aid in keeping water out of teh pivot area. I have several Corvettes that I have restored for more than 15 yrs. out there and they are working perfectly. When I remove the motors, the bucket is as smooth as glass when opening and closing it. I check these every not and then to make sure that they are not binding and cause me to have to hassle with removing the entire assembly. If you need help on installing you buckets I will be more than glad to aid you free of charge.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 884
Likes: 1
From: Blacksburg Virginia
Thanks for the offer but I am in the middle of a body off restoration and the body which is on a dollie is being painted this coming week. I am going to install the buckets at the painter's shop in case we do any paint damage he can fix it before the body leaves the shop. Where do you buy the lubriplate? And beside the felt do you put in on the pivot shaft and on the inner ball. How about the outer part of the ball that goes against the alum support. Thanks! Richard
Pro
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 622
Likes: 24
From: Clermont Florida
Just a note, Corvettes were originally painted with the headlight buckets installed, in a certain position. I have seen pictures of this. If you are doing the NCRS thing, you may want to consider this. Otherwise Paint them seperate. I did. Rich
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 766
Likes: 3
From: Charlotte North Carolina 704-394-5150
Yes, Use the lubriplate in with the nylon ball and the aluminum housing. I use quite a bit and make sure that the shaft that the nylon ball turns on along with the "pocket" that is filled well I also, unless they are wanting NCRS standards, buff the headlight bucket pivot the attaches to the buckets where the motor attaches. When the car is all assembled you can look down in the gap and see it. I lightly sand on it with fine sand paper to remove casting flash and buff the heck out of the edge. It ends up looking like chrome and on a red or black on any color car looks great to the customer and has no overspray on it.. It is a matter on how you want to show your car. I have see lubriplate around from time to time at auto supply houses, Possibly find them on the nete and call them for a suppliier near you. Possibly at a large truck service center because when I worked for Fruehauf trailers a long time ago we used it on special ordered trailers that wanted it for wheel bearing grease. "DUB"
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 884
Likes: 1
From: Blacksburg Virginia
I not going for NCRS standards just a good looking car to drive and cruz-ins.
How far do I push the allen screw collar on the outer shaft and the yoke on the inner shaft in towards the felt washer. As far as I can and tighten?
I think I understand how this bucket thing works, the outer part of the ball is pressed against the alum housing and the bucket rotates on the inner portion of the ball and shaft.. right? The ball does not move within the alum housing?
How far do I push the allen screw collar on the outer shaft and the yoke on the inner shaft in towards the felt washer. As far as I can and tighten?
I think I understand how this bucket thing works, the outer part of the ball is pressed against the alum housing and the bucket rotates on the inner portion of the ball and shaft.. right? The ball does not move within the alum housing?
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 766
Likes: 3
From: Charlotte North Carolina 704-394-5150
Both of the parts, the allen bolt collar and the open/close limit adjust bracket get installed as far inward toward the bucket as possible. These parts are used to maintain your side to side play. Try to keep your side to side play at the least amount possible. Preferably no side to side play. The inner bracket with the two bolts can ONLY be installed one way due to the splines in the pivot shaft and the splines in the bracket itself. There is a notch in the bracket that is lined up perpendicual to teh slot that the motor slides onto. Make SURE that the inner bracket is mounted correctly or you will have problems due to the splines not lining up correctly and can cause the bracket to shift and create "drama" that you do not want.You do have the black rubber seals that the felt washer fits into that also has a stainless steel large washer slipped onto the end of the washer/seal that slides into the groved slot for mounting your buckes on both sides ----right?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 884
Likes: 1
From: Blacksburg Virginia
Yes I bought the install kit with all the parts you mentioned. According to the AIM the SS washer is first which fits over the inner ring of the rubber seal. On the other side of the rubber seal the felt washer fits inside, then the nylon ball which is held by either the yoke on the inner or the the allen head ring clamp on the outer.
I know what you mean by the inner support, I looked at pictures I took and with the grooved spline on the top I need to visualize the yoke mounting centered on the splines and mount the alum support so the yoke's two stop limit bolts hit the alum support stops correctly . Thanks for you help! Richard
I know what you mean by the inner support, I looked at pictures I took and with the grooved spline on the top I need to visualize the yoke mounting centered on the splines and mount the alum support so the yoke's two stop limit bolts hit the alum support stops correctly . Thanks for you help! Richard
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