When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
This is one of those "shall I try to repair it?" calls I need to make. I'm a fan of repair over replacement whenever possible. My questions are:
Is this aluminum? (because if it is, I can't weld it)
Will JB Weld + some support material do the job? (Thinking that some additional bracing, plus some JB weld might do the trick.)
The part is the headlight cover hinge on the passenger side.
Sand the crud off it.
Line both pieces up with each other/Make Sure the Cap is oriented correctly on the main arm and clamp tightly in a vice--tap the cap back into alignment if it "*****" a little
Drill a hole thru the "cap" on each side and into the main part of the arm at least an inch deep.
apply plenty of JB weld to the mating pieces Drive/press a steel roll-pin into each hole...
make sure the roll-pins bottom out in the main arm and are long enough that they protrude out of the cap once they are bottomed out
grind the excess flush with the cap on each side
wipe off the excess JB weld
allow it to cure at least 24 hours...more is better
clean/sand the I.D. so the large steel dowel slips in
apply grease to I.D.
Assemble
Last edited by doorgunner; Sep 13, 2021 at 12:21 AM.
I don't think JB Weld is strong enough for that application. I also believe that the casting is aluminum, rather than pot metal. If so, the repair can be made via Heli-arc welding....or by replacing the buckets with salvaged parts.
I'm absolutely not an expert here. But fairly certain I've read on here (this forum) That these are not weldable. me, I'd be calling salvage yards looking for a good used one.
Sand the crud off it.
Line both pieces up with each other/Make Sure the Cap is oriented correctly on the main arm and clamp tightly in a vice--tap the cap back into alignment if it "*****" a little
Drill a hole thru the "cap" on each side and into the main part of the arm at least an inch deep.
apply plenty of JB weld to the mating pieces Drive/press a steel roll-pin into each hole...
make sure the roll-pins bottom out in the main arm and are long enough that they protrude out of the cap once they are bottomed out
grind the excess flush with the cap on each side
wipe off the excess JB weld
allow it to cure at least 24 hours...more is better
clean/sand the I.D. so the large steel dowel slips in
apply grease to I.D.
Assemble
I’m with doorgunner.
Try to repair it. If it holds, GREAT! You saved some money.
If it doesn’t hold, oh, well… replace it.
Worth a couple hours to try it out.
Worse that could happen is you spent a little time and a couple beers with your car. 🍻
The headlight buckets undergo a lot of stress..... I don`t think JB will hold for long. If you are able to repair it that way, I`d consider it a temporary fix while I search for a replacement.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/14417110347...MAAOSw3PBhJlpd i fixed a wiper arm for an RV. similar but smaller and plastic. epoxied it together then drilled holes for 2 sheet metal screws and wrapped a piece of coat hanger over the top of broken piece and screwed it down. metal strap about size of piece of hose clamp may also work.
Last edited by derekderek; Sep 13, 2021 at 07:22 AM.
I would try putting the broken part on a drill press and drilling maybe a 3/16 hole through it, then use that as a guide to drill further into the bucket. Put a bolt in it with red locktite.
Thank you ALL for the suggestions.
I ended up making a small plate that will support the end and anchor it in place with screws.
Drilled hole in dowel - Tapped - JB metal on all surfaces - screwed into place, then clamped together.
The plate will get an additional 2 screws in the support arm once the JB weld is set.
Like some have said, it's worth trying ti fix it, if it doesn't work - I'll get the part.
I'm doing my own paint, so it's not an impossible fix down the road if I need to.
i think a strap over the top of the pivot would help also. my fotoshop skills are lacking, but a strap where the red is and attach it to the arm at blue arrows should be considered.
It didn't! When I trie to install it, the pressure against the two guide pins ended up breaking the sheet metal screw I had installed in the lower part of the plate.
I then re-installed two bolts in its place and re-JB welded it together. I'm confident that it will now hold together.
i think a strap over the top of the pivot would help also. my fotoshop skills are lacking, but a strap where the red is and attach it to the arm at blue arrows should be considered.
Yes - I can't disagree with you. I'll see if I can put something together along those lines. I'm working at home with basic tools and supplies, so it's always an adventure!
Is this Repairable? (Headlight)
