Headlight Actuators
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
Headlight Actuators
The right side headlight only wants to pop up when it feels like it. I pulled the top (red) hose off and the unit will not hold vacuum. At less than half the cost, are the reproduction units any good or should I just spend the money and get the "original"?
Last edited by Project80; Aug 27, 2009 at 12:52 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
That's what I believe would do it. According to DocRebuild, if you pull the top side or the red hose and it will not hold vacuum, the internal diaphragm is leaking. The actuator must be replaced.
The bottom side or green hose side has a rear grommet that can be replaced.
The side with the red hose on my unit will not hold vacuum.
The bottom side or green hose side has a rear grommet that can be replaced.
The side with the red hose on my unit will not hold vacuum.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
That's what I believe would do it. According to DocRebuild, if you pull the top side or the red hose and it will not hold vacuum, the internal diaphragm is leaking. The actuator must be replaced.
The bottom side or green hose side has a rear grommet that can be replaced.
The side with the red hose on my unit will not hold vacuum.
The bottom side or green hose side has a rear grommet that can be replaced.
The side with the red hose on my unit will not hold vacuum.
Up is the green side and the side with the seal in it. Not saying your wrong just want to be sure you diagnose it correctly.
If the diapram is leaking and you hold the threaded shaft and blow in the green you should feel air come out the red and vice versa.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
Oh OK but are you sure because it takes a lot of vacuum to pull the diaphragm all the way back.
Up is the green side and the side with the seal in it. Not saying your wrong just want to be sure you diagnose it correctly.
If the diapram is leaking and you hold the threaded shaft and blow in the green you should feel air come out the red and vice versa.
Up is the green side and the side with the seal in it. Not saying your wrong just want to be sure you diagnose it correctly.
If the diapram is leaking and you hold the threaded shaft and blow in the green you should feel air come out the red and vice versa.
Yes, I am sure on the amount of vacuum, I used a vacuum pump. I pumped the hell out of it and it wouldn't build anything, nothing! Just to be sure I didn't give up to soon, I removed the red hose from the actuator on the other side and sure enough after 5 or 6 pumps it started to hold pressure.
In the meantime, is it safe to buy a repro unit (after I try your way)?
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
OK, I"ll try your way a little later today.
Yes, I am sure on the amount of vacuum, I used a vacuum pump. I pumped the hell out of it and it wouldn't build anything, nothing! Just to be sure I didn't give up to soon, I removed the red hose from the actuator on the other side and sure enough after 5 or 6 pumps it started to hold pressure.
In the meantime, is it safe to buy a repro unit (after I try your way)?
Yes, I am sure on the amount of vacuum, I used a vacuum pump. I pumped the hell out of it and it wouldn't build anything, nothing! Just to be sure I didn't give up to soon, I removed the red hose from the actuator on the other side and sure enough after 5 or 6 pumps it started to hold pressure.
In the meantime, is it safe to buy a repro unit (after I try your way)?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,419
Likes: 1,555
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
With the headlight open apply vacuum to the greed (front) port, if you can not hold vacuum the seals are bad.
For me, the reproductions are just fine.
PG.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
