How to fix your headlights [Video]
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 17,062
Likes: 166
From: United States
The newer one are easy, I've read your posts , don't see anything about 'pining' gears,
in the short time you've been on here , you've learned to look down your nose at other members and be rude, now you're implying some kind of threat, with your'pm to handle it another way'
untie your panties , sweety, this forum already has enough gurly men, that hide behind their 'puters. if you cant provide tech. please find others like you and be yourselves.
in the short time you've been on here , you've learned to look down your nose at other members and be rude, now you're implying some kind of threat, with your'pm to handle it another way'
untie your panties , sweety, this forum already has enough gurly men, that hide behind their 'puters. if you cant provide tech. please find others like you and be yourselves.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,272
Likes: 17
Read post 22 shipmate. I am not threatening you. I just said PM me if you want to discuss it in another manner instead of what you now imply. I am sure you already informed mods. Fine. I am not threatening you, so I am sorry if you feel that way. Sometimes forum threads dont show/communicate what someone is really saying. Have a nice day. I just wont post when you are here, okay. Fair enough.
beasty with a good heart. respectfully, bob
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 17,062
Likes: 166
From: United States
reread your posts.I havent done anything , I think we misunderstood each other, and would like to apoligize for my part in it. I've already deleted that other post. I tend to talk before thinking , my girlfriend says I'm a
beasty with a good heart. respectfully, bob
beasty with a good heart. respectfully, bob
Moderator Emeritus
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 46,133
Likes: 111
From: Maryville Tn
CI 5 thru 12 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '23
NCM Sinkhole Donor
You just made my job a little easier. Now let's get back on topic.
Last edited by H P Bushrod; Jun 23, 2012 at 09:29 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 17,062
Likes: 166
From: United States
One other issue with the headlights is the wiring. Supposedly our wiring going to the motor needs to be upgraded. If you have the proper voltage, it makes the motor work easier, and lights brighter. Why is this important, because if you go to glass lenses vice the plastic, the motor can work harder, and will need the bronze gears to carry the weight. Look into upgraded wiring and bronze gears. Daniel Stern Lighting was a company that had upgraded wiring.
Also, some have used wooden hardwood instead of the plastic bushing material as it is less likely to get brittle and fall apart.
Lots of information out there on our headlights.
Also, some have used wooden hardwood instead of the plastic bushing material as it is less likely to get brittle and fall apart.
Lots of information out there on our headlights.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,272
Likes: 17
they're not a major pita, but you do need to be careful with dis-assembly, and re-assembly, they have a mercury switch inside them that needs to stay un-moved and when you separate the case halves, you need to remember where everything is. A digital camera is a good thing to have the first time you do one. . I talk about them like they're a major pita cause if you disturb the mercury switch or dont get them back together exactly, you will have to dis-assemble them a couple more times to get your lights to work. They take a bit more time. Something that helps is remembering that they are old pieces of plastic and are brittle.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Great technical video
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I've got to do this on my 91 and this will surely help with the confidence factor. Thanks for posting. 
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 438
Likes: 14
From: Tucson/Santa Paula AZ/CA
2017 C4 of Year Finalist
I went to ACE hardware and found that their high pressure air hose was a perfect fit. It is 1/4" ID and 1/2" OD. It is listed as impervious to petroleum products. I bought a foot ($1.17) and cut 3 pieces exactly 1/2" long to replace the factory bushings which had turned to small chips of nylon. These should outlast the factory bushings and they survived 20 years. These neoprene air hose bushings give the gear drive just a little 'give' and act like shock absorbers when the limit stops are hit.
DO NOT USE THESE HOSE PIECES AS BUSHINGS! THEY DO NOT LAST MORE THAN A YEAR.
Mick
Last edited by QZRBLU; Sep 17, 2013 at 11:24 AM.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 695
Likes: 55
From: Palm Desert California
TP, Instead of ordering the Delrin replacement bushings try ACE.
I went to ACE hardware and found that their high pressure air hose was a perfect fit. It is 1/4" ID and 1/2" OD. It is listed as impervious to petroleum products. I bought a foot ($1.17) and cut 3 pieces exactly 1/2" long to replace the factory bushings which had turned to small chips of nylon. These should outlast the factory bushings and they survived 20 years. These neoprene air hose bushings give the gear drive just a little 'give' and act like shock absorbers when the limit stops are hit.
Mick
I went to ACE hardware and found that their high pressure air hose was a perfect fit. It is 1/4" ID and 1/2" OD. It is listed as impervious to petroleum products. I bought a foot ($1.17) and cut 3 pieces exactly 1/2" long to replace the factory bushings which had turned to small chips of nylon. These should outlast the factory bushings and they survived 20 years. These neoprene air hose bushings give the gear drive just a little 'give' and act like shock absorbers when the limit stops are hit.
Mick
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 438
Likes: 14
From: Tucson/Santa Paula AZ/CA
2017 C4 of Year Finalist
I found two sources of the correct bushings, any auto parts store that
that carries the Dorman HELP products should have #74410 in stock. They are listed as a Ford product to repair window regulators. They fit perfectly in our gears. You can also order them from Amazon at the following link:
Mick
Last edited by QZRBLU; Sep 17, 2013 at 11:25 AM.
1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Thanks for the great video. My service station is telling me that I need 2 Headlight Opening Actuator Modules at $165 each for the parts only. After seeing your video I'm not sure whether I need those parts or just the new gears.
Hey guys, I just made a video on how to change the gear inside the headlight motor. I figured it would definitely help so check it out!
http://youtu.be/sPj1kJm4AnU
This video gives an in-depth, step-by-step, how-to take off the headlight assembly, take off the headlight motor, and change out your worn gear with a nice new one.
If your headlights are not going up, or it goes up but easily falls back down, this is what you need to do to fix it. It is cheap ($5 for a new plastic gear or $50 for a bronze one).
This is really easy to do and it will save you a lot of money. The dealer wanted $300 per light. This takes an hour each light if you take your time!
http://youtu.be/sPj1kJm4AnU
This video gives an in-depth, step-by-step, how-to take off the headlight assembly, take off the headlight motor, and change out your worn gear with a nice new one.
If your headlights are not going up, or it goes up but easily falls back down, this is what you need to do to fix it. It is cheap ($5 for a new plastic gear or $50 for a bronze one).
This is really easy to do and it will save you a lot of money. The dealer wanted $300 per light. This takes an hour each light if you take your time!
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 11,889
Likes: 8
From: Whitefish Falls Ontario
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
More than likely you don't need gears but just the bushings. For those with an 84 to 87 Cliff Harris posted a how to repair the headlight motor..
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...placement.html
To change the black gear you need to drive one of the pins out to remove the drive shaft..
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...placement.html
To change the black gear you need to drive one of the pins out to remove the drive shaft..
Racer
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 328
Likes: 2
From: Mesa AZ
Dogfish,
Thank you for taking time to show us how to properly fix our lights. Your explanations were great and your camera man did an excellent job. I feel now at least when I have to work on mine, I will have a good idea of how to get started. Congrats on a fine job!!!!
Tommy
Thank you for taking time to show us how to properly fix our lights. Your explanations were great and your camera man did an excellent job. I feel now at least when I have to work on mine, I will have a good idea of how to get started. Congrats on a fine job!!!!
Tommy