Advice on 91 headlights!
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,753
Likes: 9
From: Louisiana
Advice on 91 headlights!
Search results turned up a little help.
My buddy has a 91 that I've been helping him with. We've replaced the valve cover gaskets and outer window weather strippings. Next is the headlight delrin bushings then onto the antenna mast.
Problem: the left headlight does not sit flat with the hood when the lights are off. It sort of sags down on one end. You can push the top end down with your finger and it flattens out, but falls back down when you let go. I can tell the armature linkage feels a little loose on the left headlight also.
When operating the headlights on and off, they will go about half way and start swinging until they close (randomly). Sometimes they work normal and sometimes not. I figure the bushings will correct this.
The main problem I'm worried about is the loose left headlight. I wanted your guys opinions before replacing the bushings and still having the same problem.
Haven't been around here very much like I use to....how are some of my old buddys doing?
My buddy has a 91 that I've been helping him with. We've replaced the valve cover gaskets and outer window weather strippings. Next is the headlight delrin bushings then onto the antenna mast.
Problem: the left headlight does not sit flat with the hood when the lights are off. It sort of sags down on one end. You can push the top end down with your finger and it flattens out, but falls back down when you let go. I can tell the armature linkage feels a little loose on the left headlight also.
When operating the headlights on and off, they will go about half way and start swinging until they close (randomly). Sometimes they work normal and sometimes not. I figure the bushings will correct this.
The main problem I'm worried about is the loose left headlight. I wanted your guys opinions before replacing the bushings and still having the same problem.
Haven't been around here very much like I use to....how are some of my old buddys doing?
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 345
Likes: 0
From: Flint Michigan, #2 in unemployment, #3 in Violent crimes
sounds like the gear on the inside is toasted.
my bushings were non existent when I pulled mine but my lights closed perfect, just kept running on is all.
I would say the gear because it gets to a point and then cannot continue travel. at that point the light will just flop because it cannot finish its range of motion even if you use the manual ****, it engages the gear also.
try pushing on the light and also turning the ****, this will go past the "flat spot" and should give you some teeth to catch it on. if not, I would say the gear is shot all the way to the park position.
my bushings were non existent when I pulled mine but my lights closed perfect, just kept running on is all.
I would say the gear because it gets to a point and then cannot continue travel. at that point the light will just flop because it cannot finish its range of motion even if you use the manual ****, it engages the gear also.
try pushing on the light and also turning the ****, this will go past the "flat spot" and should give you some teeth to catch it on. if not, I would say the gear is shot all the way to the park position.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,753
Likes: 9
From: Louisiana
I'm thinking I read on here at some point that these bushing can be purchased at Home Depot. Any pointers on that before I order them online? Or anyone know a good place to purchase them online?
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 96,443
Likes: 9
From: Fort Knox, KY
Cruise-In IV Veteran
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I purchased mine from HD, (sorry I don't have the item number in front of me) but you can order them online from Mid-America Motorworks (MAM).
http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette?frame=1.853
http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette?frame=1.853
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,783
Likes: 15
From: Northern California
The motor is probably getting weak.
I replaced the bushings and plastic gears and the headlights worked fine for about a year. Then, one of the headlights started to not open. I finally bought two rebuilt headlight motor assemblys from Eckler's and the headlights have been fine.
I replaced the bushings and plastic gears and the headlights worked fine for about a year. Then, one of the headlights started to not open. I finally bought two rebuilt headlight motor assemblys from Eckler's and the headlights have been fine.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 786
Likes: 31
Cruise-In II Veteran
Home Depot part number part number 3069987278.
One user had reported problems with the Home Depot bushing collapsing after a few weeks service. That is why I went to Ace and picked up some bushings that had a heavier sidewall. I did have to shorten them slightly to fit into the gear. Ace also had bushings that looked similar to and were the same size as the Home Depot bushing.
The size I have scribbled down was 27/64 by 29/64. Which is length vs. diameter I don't recall.
One user had reported problems with the Home Depot bushing collapsing after a few weeks service. That is why I went to Ace and picked up some bushings that had a heavier sidewall. I did have to shorten them slightly to fit into the gear. Ace also had bushings that looked similar to and were the same size as the Home Depot bushing.
The size I have scribbled down was 27/64 by 29/64. Which is length vs. diameter I don't recall.
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Advanced
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Decatur Alabama
Mine was doing the exact same thing not holding tight against the stops. I got a repair kit, bushings and gear. The gear was fine but the bushings were gone. Did the repair and now the housing sits flush and tight against the stops.