Headlight Bushings
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,264
Likes: 88
From: O'Fallon Missouri
Headlight Bushings
I have read several threads on replacing headlight bushings. It seems the opinions on replacement bushings varies. Any experience with the different replacement bushings, Home Depot/ Auto Zone/Ecklers?
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,615
Likes: 3
From: Tampa Fl
I got mine off e bay when I did mine, all they are is round plastic rod ..437 in dia. by .550 long.
You could probley get them anywhere and cut them yourself.
I feel you could also use ball bearings that are .437 in dia.
Thats how I used to fix FORD power window motors.
You could probley get them anywhere and cut them yourself.
I feel you could also use ball bearings that are .437 in dia.
Thats how I used to fix FORD power window motors.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Highland Park IL
Replaced bushings with Ecklers. Also replaced the gear with the Bronze Gear from Ecklers. Get a good set of directions and read throughly before you start. Here are a couple of links you can check out.
http://home.comcast.net/~zrjuan/headlight.html
http://www.corvettefever.com/howto/33098/index.html
http://home.comcast.net/~zrjuan/headlight.html
http://www.corvettefever.com/howto/33098/index.html
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,615
Likes: 3
From: Tampa Fl
3 bucks a set
all it is,is 7/16 dowel cut to .550 long
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CORVE...Q5fAccessories
My gears were fine only bad bushings,You will hear the motors keep running and make a loud clicking noise if the bushing are bad.
Last edited by tblt44; Mar 20, 2011 at 10:11 PM.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,264
Likes: 88
From: O'Fallon Missouri
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 786
Likes: 31
Cruise-In II Veteran
Home Depot part number used to be 3069987278. I'm not sure if that is still good as it has been a few years since I did mine.
I went to the local Ace Hardware 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.
Total cost for both headlights was under $1.50
I went to the local Ace Hardware 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.
Total cost for both headlights was under $1.50
Advanced
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Crockett CA
I just finished going through my right headlight for the gear change. At least the symptoms suggested that that was the problem.
Removed the motor and gear assembly and those looked like new.
Put everything back together and tightened all the fasteners, since one was loose. Thinking that since the gears and bushings were OK, that must have been the problem. Turned on the lights same problem.
Installed the new brass gear and bushings (ordered next day air). Same problem.
Got on this forum,and searched and searched and found someone who had the same issue. Thanks Corvette forum It's not the gear, the bushings or the motor.
It's the shaft and the hub that drives the gear being stripped and the motor just spins. The forum member that posted this issue sent his core to a re builder for exchange .
I used a 3/32" drill bit and drilled a hole through the hub (in the one of the dips) and used a small finishing nail as a pin, cutting off the excess length and put everything back together and it works like new.
This was a headscratcher
KC
Removed the motor and gear assembly and those looked like new.
Put everything back together and tightened all the fasteners, since one was loose. Thinking that since the gears and bushings were OK, that must have been the problem. Turned on the lights same problem.
Installed the new brass gear and bushings (ordered next day air). Same problem.
Got on this forum,and searched and searched and found someone who had the same issue. Thanks Corvette forum It's not the gear, the bushings or the motor.
It's the shaft and the hub that drives the gear being stripped and the motor just spins. The forum member that posted this issue sent his core to a re builder for exchange .
I used a 3/32" drill bit and drilled a hole through the hub (in the one of the dips) and used a small finishing nail as a pin, cutting off the excess length and put everything back together and it works like new.
This was a headscratcher
KC
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,264
Likes: 88
From: O'Fallon Missouri
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,178
Likes: 1
To tag on to this thread, my drivers side headlight goes have way when I turn them on and hangs. The motor is spinning, and when done I have to assist it by turning it (the ****) to get it all the way open. I put bronze gears in there years ago, so you think the bushings are bad again?
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 248
Likes: 2
From: Avon IN
Yep, I was dealing with the same issue until I replaced my bushings. It sounds like your bushings are turning into powerder.. if your motor is spinning it is a good indicator that the bushings need to be replaced. I purchased mine from mid america and noticed that they are slightly harder than oem bushings.. whether this means that they will last longer I don't know. Haven't had any problems since.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,178
Likes: 1
I just finished going through my right headlight for the gear change. At least the symptoms suggested that that was the problem.
Removed the motor and gear assembly and those looked like new.
Put everything back together and tightened all the fasteners, since one was loose. Thinking that since the gears and bushings were OK, that must have been the problem. Turned on the lights same problem.
Installed the new brass gear and bushings (ordered next day air). Same problem.
Got on this forum,and searched and searched and found someone who had the same issue. Thanks Corvette forum It's not the gear, the bushings or the motor.
It's the shaft and the hub that drives the gear being stripped and the motor just spins. The forum member that posted this issue sent his core to a re builder for exchange .
I used a 3/32" drill bit and drilled a hole through the hub (in the one of the dips) and used a small finishing nail as a pin, cutting off the excess length and put everything back together and it works like new.
This was a headscratcher
KC
Removed the motor and gear assembly and those looked like new.
Put everything back together and tightened all the fasteners, since one was loose. Thinking that since the gears and bushings were OK, that must have been the problem. Turned on the lights same problem.
Installed the new brass gear and bushings (ordered next day air). Same problem.
Got on this forum,and searched and searched and found someone who had the same issue. Thanks Corvette forum It's not the gear, the bushings or the motor.
It's the shaft and the hub that drives the gear being stripped and the motor just spins. The forum member that posted this issue sent his core to a re builder for exchange .
I used a 3/32" drill bit and drilled a hole through the hub (in the one of the dips) and used a small finishing nail as a pin, cutting off the excess length and put everything back together and it works like new.
This was a headscratcher
KC
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
Home Depot part number used to be 3069987278. I'm not sure if that is still good as it has been a few years since I did mine.
I went to the local Ace Hardware 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.
Total cost for both headlights was under $1.50
I went to the local Ace Hardware 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.
Total cost for both headlights was under $1.50
I am going to try this method too. I went to Home Depot for them today.
There has been another big price increase. You now have to pay $2.01 for 6 bushings (three 2 packs)
To make it easier for people to find them the SKU number has 2 more digits than reported above. The full SKU # is 030699872787. and the part name on the package is "spacer".
I hope this helps.
