Headlight Actuator seal repair help?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Headlight Actuator seal repair help?
Hey, I need a general guide on how to fix the little seal on the actuator rod. My left headlamp just about refuses to come up, while the right is ready for action at any given moment. I need a time estimate and a general rundown of what I need to do to fix the headlamps. I can left the left headlamp up and it will stay up, but it does not like to lift on its own. Am I barking up the wrong tree?
Thanks in advance.
-Steve
PS I already have the two rubber pieces (dust shield and the thing that always goes bad).
Thanks in advance.
-Steve
PS I already have the two rubber pieces (dust shield and the thing that always goes bad).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
Re: Headlight Actuator seal repair help? (Pacin'California)
OK, Its easy. Remove the springs, remove the cross shaft that the springs go to, remove the trunnion counting the turns to remove, remove the little retainer, remove the old seal. reverse to install. About 30 min.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,023
Likes: 2
From: TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Headlight Actuator seal repair help? (wombvette)
I didn't know the eye thing was called a "trunnion"--learn something new every day. When you take the trunnion-thingy off, it's liable very hard to remove. DO NOT put something like a large screwdriver through the eye for leverage and turn. The shaft of your actuator is made of mild steel and will sheer right off. Don't ask me how I know this. :bb Soak it for a good long while with PB Blaster.
JB
'78SA
JB
'78SA
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 905
Likes: 0
Re: Headlight Actuator seal repair help? (Pacin'California)
Try this from Zip. It is a bit commercialized but some good tips and photos.
http://www.zip-corvette.com/has.htm
STW
Robert
76Stinger
http://www.zip-corvette.com/has.htm
STW
Robert
76Stinger
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Re: Headlight Actuator seal repair help? (76Stinger)
Thanks for the help guys. A half-hour time frame is very good motivation for me. 
How easy is this job? I build and upgrade computers, but when it comes to taking cars apart, I get nervous. Closest I've been to the actuator is taking the grill off.
BTW, I'm heading up to Berkeley tomorrow to get a custom steering wheel grip for my car. Should be interesting.
-Steve
How easy is this job? I build and upgrade computers, but when it comes to taking cars apart, I get nervous. Closest I've been to the actuator is taking the grill off.BTW, I'm heading up to Berkeley tomorrow to get a custom steering wheel grip for my car. Should be interesting.
-Steve
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,562
Likes: 1
From: (Temporarily) Colorado Springs Colorado
Re: Headlight Actuator seal repair help? (Pacin'California)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,023
Likes: 2
From: TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Headlight Actuator seal repair help? (Pacin'California)
It's really not hard at all. When you get under the car and take a look at the setup you'll see it's pretty obvious what needs to be taken off and how to do it. Once you get the actuator unbolted and disconnected from the linkage, getting it out of the space it's in is a bit of a PITA. I've heard recommendations to take off the corresponding front grill and pull it out through there, but I found it easiest to unbolt it and work it to the middle, then open the hood and pull it out that way--it'll just barely fit, and you'll want to mask your hood at that point to protect the paint.
JB
'78SA
JB
'78SA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
Re: Headlight Actuator seal repair help? (JB)
I never remove it from the car unless its an unusual case. Just do it right there on the car. But if you want a better view, or the trunnion is hard to remove because of corrosion, removal may be necessary. Its the other way with me cars are no problem computers make me nervous.
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Verdad Gallardo
Platinum Supporting Dealership
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 6,425
Likes: 1
From: Traveling the US
Re: Headlight Actuator seal repair help? (wombvette)
You should repleace the dust boot while you are at it. One thing though, be very careful when removing the actuator. It is a tight fit between the hood and the body when you pull it out.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, FL
Re: Headlight Actuator seal repair help? (Pacin'California)
While you are under there, you should at least test the 2 vacuum relays in the nose. Check out this recent post for more info, especially Ingar's tech article.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=147972
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=147972
