Instrument Bulb Socket
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 444
Likes: 0
From: Roselle IL
Instrument Bulb Socket
I pulled my center gauge cluster last night and proceeded to break two of the bulb sockets. The little metal piece broke and separated from the plastic piece. Does anyone know where to find replacements? I can't seem to find them at any of corvette houses.
Has anybody made a replacement?
Thanks for your help.
Has anybody made a replacement?
Thanks for your help.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,841
Likes: 3
From: Halifax, NS, Canada
I pulled my center gauge cluster last night and proceeded to break two of the bulb sockets. The little metal piece broke and separated from the plastic piece. Does anyone know where to find replacements? I can't seem to find them at any of corvette houses.
Has anybody made a replacement?
Thanks for your help.
Has anybody made a replacement?
Thanks for your help.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
If you still have the metal 'ring' and haven't damaged the plastic socket, you can repair it by putting a small dab of clear, 2-part epoxy on each slot where the tabs on the metal ring are inserted [into the socket]. Then just press the ring in and let it harden. You'll never have it come loose again...and you'll never know it has been 'repaired'. I've done that repair to every one of those bulb sockets....even if they stayed together when removed.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 444
Likes: 0
From: Roselle IL
Thanks for the tip. Unfortunately on one both tangs broke off and on another, one of the tangs broke off. I had a couple that pulled out and thought I could fix them somehow. The epoxy is a great idea.
Turns out they changed the panels before 77, so Binne's pieces wont work. Does anyone know where to find these?
Thanks.
Turns out they changed the panels before 77, so Binne's pieces wont work. Does anyone know where to find these?
Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,239
Likes: 1,010
From: Watkinsville, GA and Glen Cove, NY
I did the same thing and if you go to Ron Francis wiring on the net, they sell the little copper contacts you can just recrimp on your wire where it pulled off. Very slick and easy so you don't have to splice anything in.
Bill
Bill
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,246
Likes: 114
From: Watkins Glen NY
This is good info....I had one of mine come apart yesterday. For the time being I stripped the wire back a bit and was able to run it around the copper contact, through the socket, and wedged the wire between the copper and the bulb base.
It holds, but I'd rather have it right.
It holds, but I'd rather have it right.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 444
Likes: 0
From: Roselle IL
I called Napa. The only one they can find is the one that aktbird posted in the link. I found a Napa store that physically had one and had the guy look at it. It is the one for the circuit board panel. I called an autozone and had them look up in the HELP book. It showed the same one. I called a chevy dealer and the lazy counter guy told me his system doesn't go back that far. He was not willing to look in a book or call someone to help me. He suggested that I look in the internet.
uggggg
uggggg
Last edited by lr172; Mar 4, 2008 at 07:26 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 444
Likes: 0
From: Roselle IL
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,246
Likes: 114
From: Watkins Glen NY
Yep, he probably just didn't want to do it. My Chevrolet parts counter is outstanding when I do use them. Diagrams and breakdowns on both my 69 and 85 in great detail on his computer...not microfiche, so I'm guessing he is online or has one heck of a database!
Doesn't mean that they'll have or be able to get a particular GM part, but I can get an OEM # for anything I've asked for.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,851
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
We have the original metal sockets for the dash clusters available if you are interested. These are original sockets and not the plastic style used in later model cars.
You can find them at this link.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=24184
Willcox Inc.
You can find them at this link.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=24184
Willcox Inc.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
I picked mine up at Auto-zone. The part no on the package is 85805 Motormite. dorman uses the same part #
https://www.dormanproducts.com/cgi-b...tegory_list=:0
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductL...rtNumber=85805
https://www.dormanproducts.com/cgi-b...tegory_list=:0
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductL...rtNumber=85805
Last edited by '75; Mar 4, 2008 at 09:44 PM.
