74 headlight actuator springs
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Churchville Pennsylvania
74 headlight actuator springs
I have searched the forum but can't seem to find an answer, if it is out there please send me the link to the thread, but here is my question...
Found a rusty broken spring with a broken end laying under my 74 bumper and determined it was an inner headlight actuator spring...I also discovered that my passenger headlight is missing all but 1 outer spring and driver's side only has the 2 outer springs so I purchased all new springs, is there any special tool required or does anyone have any tips on the best way to replace/install these springs other than vise grips and brute force?
Thanks in advance
Evan
Found a rusty broken spring with a broken end laying under my 74 bumper and determined it was an inner headlight actuator spring...I also discovered that my passenger headlight is missing all but 1 outer spring and driver's side only has the 2 outer springs so I purchased all new springs, is there any special tool required or does anyone have any tips on the best way to replace/install these springs other than vise grips and brute force?
Thanks in advance
Evan
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,334
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
A small screwdriver or a piece of strong string works fine, they are not really all that strong.
You may be able to just stretch them out by hand, if I remember rightly, raise them to install the outer ones and lower them to install the inner ones will take some of the pressure off and it's doable fairly easy.
M
You may be able to just stretch them out by hand, if I remember rightly, raise them to install the outer ones and lower them to install the inner ones will take some of the pressure off and it's doable fairly easy.
M
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,248
Likes: 67
From: Warrington PA
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
As mentioned, using string is what I did on the 82. Looped it around the bottom end of the spring, with the other end attached and stretched it out and used a screwdriver to guide into place....Tom
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 829
Likes: 131
From: Spartanburg SC
You nailed it. Harbor Freight sells a small tool set for a couple of bucks that worked perfectly for mine. It's like a little dental pic type set of tools.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski