Headlights cover sticking
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 87
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From: Melbourne VIC
Headlights cover sticking
Hi - I have recently purchased a 74 coupe - very original.
The headlight covers catching on the body when trying to open. If I push down on the body immediately behind one headlight it pops up smoothly. The other requires much more fiddling, but does come up. Vacum seems good, but is untested.
Without investigating the problem as yet and being new at this, it seems to me like an alignment problem.
However do these cars have any adjustment mechanisms or steps to follow, or do I have a bigger problem to deal with than some simple tinkering?. Help please. Greg
The headlight covers catching on the body when trying to open. If I push down on the body immediately behind one headlight it pops up smoothly. The other requires much more fiddling, but does come up. Vacum seems good, but is untested.
Without investigating the problem as yet and being new at this, it seems to me like an alignment problem.
However do these cars have any adjustment mechanisms or steps to follow, or do I have a bigger problem to deal with than some simple tinkering?. Help please. Greg
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 807
Likes: 2
From: VIRGINIA BEACH VIRGINIA
kiwigreg, I thought he same thing with my 79. spen days *&^%^&* with the alingment and vacuum hoses and finally discovered that it was the headlight actuator seals and boots that were shot. MAMOTORWORKS part number 601-495. The light was never hitting anything, just looked like it. Are your lights vacuum operated. Changing out the seals and boots took about 30 minutes per light.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,647
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From: East Aurora N.Y.
St. Jude Donor '10
Your car suffered a slight nose hit, causing the bond from the fiberglass to the frame to separate.(directly behind the headlights where you were pushing)....If you can push on that area and it goes up and down, you've found your problem. You'll know it's hitting by the paint that is gone, behind the pop ups, on the rim of the body, on the back of the opening.
Last edited by jeff79'; Sep 4, 2009 at 07:26 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
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From: Peekskill NY
Your car suffered a slight nose hit, causing the bond from the fiberglass to the frame to separate.(directly behind the headlights where you were pushing)....If you can push on that area and it goes up and down, you've found your problem. You'll know it's hitting by the paint that is gone, behind the pop ups, on the rim of the body, on the back of the opening.
though the support may have just loosened and not necessary from a hit. Lay under the car to see under there and see if there's any evidence of a repair. With the hood open look from above while you push on the body and see if the bond has let go. If so, you can re-bond them together. Do a search as there's many threads about this repair.There is a lot of adjustment room. The bolt holes for the pivot bushings are larger than the bolt diameter allowing some adjustment in all directions, and may allow you to raise the headlight assembly so ti clears the body edges.
Get the Chassis repair manual for your year. There's complete adjustment instructions. Good luck.
Glenn
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 87
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From: Melbourne VIC
Jeff & Glen
Many thanks for your advice. I think you have put me on the right track though I have injured my back so it will be a week or so before I can get under the car to check.
You mentioned there were several threads on this problem - what should I search under?
Thanks guys. Greg
You mentioned there were several threads on this problem - what should I search under?
Thanks guys. Greg
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,647
Likes: 1
From: East Aurora N.Y.
St. Jude Donor '10
Many thanks for your advice. I think you have put me on the right track though I have injured my back so it will be a week or so before I can get under the car to check.
You mentioned there were several threads on this problem - what should I search under?
Thanks guys. Greg
You mentioned there were several threads on this problem - what should I search under?
Thanks guys. Greg
