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Old Dec 19, 2009 | 10:11 PM
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Default Headlight Actuator

Hey guys, I need some help. I am currently trying to replace the seals in my actuators but I am unable to remove the pivot pin receiver. I have tried the method shown in the picture from Corvette Magazine, but I am just tearing up the shaft with the pliers. I have also been using some penetrating oil on it. How can I get this thing off? Thanks for the help.

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Old Dec 19, 2009 | 10:23 PM
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Man sorry to hear that. I did mine this summer, and they came off ok. Do you have a bigger pair of locking vise grips? You need a stronger set of jaws to hold the shaft. Try soaking it in penetrating fluid over night. Not sure what else to tell you.
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Old Dec 19, 2009 | 11:03 PM
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Heat will take it off in a jiffy.
Take the bushing out first.
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Old Dec 19, 2009 | 11:10 PM
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Originally Posted by ...Roger...
Heat will take it off in a jiffy.
Take the bushing out first.
Never thought of that. Are they easy to get out and reusable?
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Old Dec 19, 2009 | 11:13 PM
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Originally Posted by ...Roger...
Heat will take it off in a jiffy.
Take the bushing out first.
Heat the threads and clevis and stick a candle to the hot threads. The heat will draw the wax into the threads loosening the shaft/clevis..
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Old Dec 19, 2009 | 11:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Mike Ward
Never thought of that. Are they easy to get out and reusable?
They usually just slide out and most of the time you can use them again. If not they're only 2 bucks. http://ecklers.com/product.asp?pf_id=A6637&dept_id=1475
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Old Dec 19, 2009 | 11:21 PM
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Originally Posted by forvicjr
Heat the threads and clevis and stick a candle to the hot threads. The heat will draw the wax into the threads loosening the shaft/clevis..
I need to try the candle thing but always seem to forget.
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Old Dec 20, 2009 | 12:39 AM
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Thanks for the responses. Tonight I will soak it in some more penetrating oil and try again in the morning. If that doesn't work I will try heating it.

I just have a stupid question, how hot do I need to get it? I'm not sure what I have around the house to heat it up.
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Old Dec 20, 2009 | 01:04 AM
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Go to the hardware store and buy a BernzOmatic torch. They are really inexpensive.

cc
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Old Dec 22, 2009 | 11:37 PM
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Thanks for the help. I tried letting it sit overnight with the penetrating oil and that did not work. Went to the hardware store on Monday and picked up the torch. It worked like a charm. Thanks a lot.
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Old Dec 23, 2009 | 12:01 AM
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Originally Posted by 79corvette
Thanks for the help. I tried letting it sit overnight with the penetrating oil and that did not work. Went to the hardware store on Monday and picked up the torch. It worked like a charm. Thanks a lot.
Glad you got fixed. Noticed your in Naples, I'll be there in 8 days.
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Old Dec 23, 2009 | 01:25 AM
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Mine was stuck last weekend and I broke it... I still had to remove a piece of teh shaft out of the eyelet part. And heat did it. But I heated it up and let it cool. Cycled it once or twice and I think that 'broke things loose' before I started tapping on it. When welding a new bolt to the end of the shaft, I kept the shaft cool with a water soaked towel - so the rubber seal did not deform.

Last edited by kaiserbud; Dec 23, 2009 at 01:30 AM.
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Old Dec 24, 2009 | 02:00 PM
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Glad you got fixed. Noticed your in Naples, I'll be there in 8 days.
Have fun in Naples. I just left the other day to visit my girlfriend for Christmas in Jacksonville and then heading out to Colorado for New Years.

Mine was stuck last weekend and I broke it... I still had to remove a piece of teh shaft out of the eyelet part. And heat did it. But I heated it up and let it cool. Cycled it once or twice and I think that 'broke things loose' before I started tapping on it. When welding a new bolt to the end of the shaft, I kept the shaft cool with a water soaked towel - so the rubber seal did not deform.
That's a good idea. I was checking to make sure I didn't heat it up too much.
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