Headlight actuator pivot pin frozen
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 276
Likes: 5
From: Aptos, CA
Headlight actuator pivot pin frozen
I'm trying to remove one of my headlight actuators and cannot get the pivot pin to budge. It's stuck in the end of the actuator rod.
Any ideas? The pin "should" slide right out, but mine is frozen in place. Won't even budge with some persuasion from a brass hammer.
Any ideas? The pin "should" slide right out, but mine is frozen in place. Won't even budge with some persuasion from a brass hammer.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 276
Likes: 5
From: Aptos, CA
I'm hesitant to try using a torch since the actuator is still inside the car and the only other thing I can think of is trying to get some penetrating oil working on the stuck pin.
Any other ideas?
Any other ideas?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,431
Likes: 1,561
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
All these pins should slide in and out. Penetrating oil should help.
Which pin is giving you the problem?
Which pin is giving you the problem?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 276
Likes: 5
From: Aptos, CA
Done. Removed the pin.
Sprayed with PB Blaster penetrating oil and then torched with a Bernzomatic propane torch 30 mins later and with some persuasion from a pair of vise grips the pin came out.
Now I just have to clean it up.
Sprayed with PB Blaster penetrating oil and then torched with a Bernzomatic propane torch 30 mins later and with some persuasion from a pair of vise grips the pin came out.
Now I just have to clean it up.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 276
Likes: 5
From: Aptos, CA
I just finished removing all of the pins and levers for cleaning and re-painting.
I'm not sure how helpful the penetrating oil was, but the torch was absolutely essential. My pins were so stuck that only melting out the nylon bushings could get the pins out.
Lucky for me I have bushings and springs being delivered tomorrow.
I'll have the actuator seal replaced tonight and hopefully painted as well.
This all started because I needed to replace the actuator front seal in preparation for installing the speed direct never night harness and lights...
My actuator seal looked like a shredded balloon after you pop it...pretty sure I pinpointed the problem...
Will the "while I'm at it" fever go away?
I'm not sure how helpful the penetrating oil was, but the torch was absolutely essential. My pins were so stuck that only melting out the nylon bushings could get the pins out.
Lucky for me I have bushings and springs being delivered tomorrow.
I'll have the actuator seal replaced tonight and hopefully painted as well.
This all started because I needed to replace the actuator front seal in preparation for installing the speed direct never night harness and lights...
My actuator seal looked like a shredded balloon after you pop it...pretty sure I pinpointed the problem...
Will the "while I'm at it" fever go away?
Last edited by Turbotrad; Nov 20, 2011 at 06:32 PM.
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