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2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (stock)
Headlight actuator replacement
Hi everyone, was going to change the driver side headlight actuator today but looks like I ordered the left one by mistake, damn…. Anyway looking at they way it’s mounted I’m not sure I could have done it anyway. To get the old one out there are 4 nuts that have to be taken off. That looks pretty straight forward but the middle post that has a rubber boot on it looks like it could be trouble. I don’t see how to disconnect it…. Can someone who has changed the headlight actuators on their C3 give me some pointers. I have a stock 71 350 coupe. Here are some pics I took today. Left hand actuator, I need a right hand..
V 4 nuts on back of actuator, looks pretty easy to take off Where center post connect to the mechanical arm that opens and closes the headlights
Last edited by Daveinspain; Oct 23, 2021 at 02:08 PM.
In the last pic, remove the two top springs. You need to slide that rod out that holds it in place. On one end there should be a cotter pin (looks like one is there) holding it. Remove it and slide the rod out. You then will be able to compress it for removal.
Just a FYI. Tape the end of your hood or place a towel on the end because when you remove the actuator it might scrap the hood. Protect that area.
This youtube will give you an idea. He rebuilt his:
Remove the grill on that side. Disconnect the springs on the cross shaft, remove the cotter pin, slide it out making careful note on washer, plastic kidney-shaped sleeves, etc. reach up through the bottom hole in the valance as well. Adjust the threaded eye you removed from the old one to the same number of threads on the new one as a baseline. Not at all difficult.
Although you have already made the plunge, you would have been better off to have sent your old actuator to Bob Demmel in Texas to have it rebuilt and replated. The quality of repros is iffy at best.
Before doing anything take the 2 big hoses off Both the headlight actuators. Get a longer piece of hose, the big one from engine to air tank will work. Blow the hose out so you know it isn’t plugged and you won’t inhale bug nest. Put hose on the top and bottom of both actuators one at a time and make like a 20 dollar *****. You should be able to open and close one at a time with 2 lungpower of suction. If so, you don’t need rebuilds. And you need to look for blockages and leaks in the rest of the vacuum system. Like the 2 mud wasp nests plugging the fresh air intake that stops the lights from opening. And the leaks in the air tank that make you lose vacuum. The system will work with the air tank bypassed if you have a tank leak. But engine has to be running.
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (stock)
Originally Posted by 62corvette
Remove the grill on that side. Disconnect the springs on the cross shaft, remove the cotter pin, slide it out making careful note on washer, plastic kidney-shaped sleeves, etc. reach up through the bottom hole in the valance as well. Adjust the threaded eye you removed from the old one to the same number of threads on the new one as a baseline. Not at all difficult.
Although you have already made the plunge, you would have been better off to have sent your old actuator to Bob Demmel in Texas to have it rebuilt and replated. The quality of repros is iffy at best.
Wish that was an option for me but being that I’m in Valencia, Spain the logistics aren’t favorable… I will look into a rebuild kit. The new one I bought from Eckler’s actually looks pretty good though..
Isn't the only difference between a 'left' and 'right' headlamp servo the direction of the vacuum inlet fitting? Just add a bit more line or fab-up a "U" shaped piece of tubing to get it going the right direction. Who check's out someones vacuum headlamp servos????
Hi everyone, was going to change the driver side headlight actuator today but looks like I ordered the left one by mistake, damn…. Anyway looking at they way it’s mounted I’m not sure I could have done it anyway. To get the old one out there are 4 nuts that have to be taken off. That looks pretty straight forward but the middle post that has a rubber boot on it looks like it could be trouble. I don’t see how to disconnect it…. Can someone who has changed the headlight actuators on their C3 give me some pointers. I have a stock 71 350 coupe. Here are some pics I took today. Left hand actuator, I need a right hand..
V 4 nuts on back of actuator, looks pretty easy to take off Where center post connect to the mechanical arm that opens and closes the headlights
If that is your replacement actuator it is a right hand or passenger side as the 90deg tube is at the bottom when installed pointing outboard . The indentation is at the top.
Headlight actuator replacement
