New headlight vacuum can
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 341
Likes: 29
From: vancouver washington
New headlight vacuum can
I was wondering if anyone has had more than 1 new headlight actuator failure. I have had 2 failures in 7 years. Seems excessive, when I really don't drive at night. I purchased the units from 2 different respected Corvette venders. Both units have ruptured diaphragms. Thanks Mark.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,346
Likes: 41
From: Toronto
Not sure where you bought them from, but I just got 2 new ones from Willcox that they tested for me before they sent them out.
They work fine.
Before these 2 I had 2 others from another vendor that didn't hold a vacuum on the front side.
I would highly recommend you order new ones from Willcox, and hopefully they will last
They work fine.
Before these 2 I had 2 others from another vendor that didn't hold a vacuum on the front side.
I would highly recommend you order new ones from Willcox, and hopefully they will last
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 341
Likes: 29
From: vancouver washington
Thanks for the reply. Both units worked fine for a while and failed due to ruptured diaphragms. The second unit I bought was a willcox purchase. I can see why some try to convert to electric actuators.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,039
Likes: 504
From: myrtle beach sc
Army
The original GM ones lasted many, many years. I put two used ones on my car four years ago, even though my original ones still worked! I have had a 68 coupe for 43 years and it has almost 118,000 miles on it. It was a daily driver for 4 1/2 years after a divorce.
Most of the new repro stuff seems to be made of inferior parts and especially rubber parts. They are probably using ordinary rubber instead of diaphram rubber that is cloth reinforced.
Lou.
Most of the new repro stuff seems to be made of inferior parts and especially rubber parts. They are probably using ordinary rubber instead of diaphram rubber that is cloth reinforced.
Lou.
Last edited by loup68; Oct 12, 2015 at 08:12 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
What he said....
Aftermarket parts with rubber (or synthetic rubber) components are VERY likely to have earlier than expected failures. "Make it cheap!" is the motto of the aftermarket parts manufacturer...especially the overseas makers. They couldn't care less if they failed in a year or so. Most vendors of those parts don't really care, either. No warranty lasts that long.
Some GOOD vendors find out about 'junk' parts and buy from other sources or work with makers to fix their 'weak links'. They are few and far between; but some are sponsors of CF.
That's just the way it is, now.
Aftermarket parts with rubber (or synthetic rubber) components are VERY likely to have earlier than expected failures. "Make it cheap!" is the motto of the aftermarket parts manufacturer...especially the overseas makers. They couldn't care less if they failed in a year or so. Most vendors of those parts don't really care, either. No warranty lasts that long.
Some GOOD vendors find out about 'junk' parts and buy from other sources or work with makers to fix their 'weak links'. They are few and far between; but some are sponsors of CF.
That's just the way it is, now.
