1981 headlight actuator replacement
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 303
Likes: 6
1981 headlight actuator replacement
Can I easily remove the driver's side headlight actuator on my 81? Is there enough room to remove the actuator without having to remove any other parts such as the hood or the entire light assembly?
Anyone have some simple instructions? I may have to talk my son through it since I recently ruptured a disk
and there is no way I can do the work. In fact, I may have to sell this car and my 04 
Anyone have some simple instructions? I may have to talk my son through it since I recently ruptured a disk
and there is no way I can do the work. In fact, I may have to sell this car and my 04
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 854
Likes: 7
From: dudley ma
Check out Willcox Corvettes website. Under the tech section, Ernie has a great write up with pics on how to remove. Or do a search on this site I do believe the write up was in a recent post. I read thru it and it did not seem hard at all.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
Yes there is enough room to remove the headlight actuator without removing the hood. You have to remove the bottom valance section and work from under the car. While there may be enough room between the headlight assembly and the opening when the hood is up, there is a chance of scratching your paint if not protected well.
The bottom valence is held in place with about 28 bolts. This is the section that diverts air to the radiator. Once this piece is off you can see the entire headlight assembly and it makes it easier to get to.
The actuator is held in place with 4 bolts. There is a clevis pin at the rod end that will need to be removed also.
Make sure you mark the hoses going to the actuator. One in front, and one in back.
kdf
The bottom valence is held in place with about 28 bolts. This is the section that diverts air to the radiator. Once this piece is off you can see the entire headlight assembly and it makes it easier to get to.
The actuator is held in place with 4 bolts. There is a clevis pin at the rod end that will need to be removed also.
Make sure you mark the hoses going to the actuator. One in front, and one in back.
kdf
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 5
From: Middleburg Florida
Easy isn't a word I'd use either...not complicated, but not easy.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 511
Likes: 34
From: NW Michigan
I just removed one on my '80. I did not remove the hood or lower air dam. In retrospect I probably should have done one or the other- it was a b!$&# to remove. No space to work and too many parts in the way... Just got the replacement delivered today. Here's hoping install goes more smoothly!
Good luck on your repair. May all your bolts be rust-free and your sockets on-hand the correct size.
Good luck on your repair. May all your bolts be rust-free and your sockets on-hand the correct size.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 303
Likes: 6
Headlight actuator replacement
Thanks for pointing me to the Wilcox web site. Nice easy to follow instructions.
It took me 3 hours mostly because 1 nut on the old actuator would not come off. My son drove it to his house and used an impact wrench.
Getting the unit out was not bad. I closed the hood, pushed the unit out and let it rest on the lower cross members. Then opened the hood and carefully angled it out.
Headlight mechanism works great again.
It took me 3 hours mostly because 1 nut on the old actuator would not come off. My son drove it to his house and used an impact wrench.
Getting the unit out was not bad. I closed the hood, pushed the unit out and let it rest on the lower cross members. Then opened the hood and carefully angled it out.
Headlight mechanism works great again.
