Headlight problem, please help.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 7,633
Likes: 324
From: Greenville SC
Headlight problem, please help.
Today on the way home I noticed the right headlight wasn't truned but half way up. I checked it when I got home and It would rotate all the way, but you can hear the headlight motor running for a few seconds after the light rotates in either direction. I have never had any problems until today with the headlights. Is there an adjustment I can do, or is it wearing out?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 7,633
Likes: 324
From: Greenville SC
Originally Posted by bogus
there are gears and such inside the headlite assembly that wear out.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 7,633
Likes: 324
From: Greenville SC
Originally Posted by SunCr
Yes, that is what you have - stripped gears. Buy a replacement kit from one of the online Vette suppliers, or a new assembly (which is a small fortune) and that will fix it.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 729
Likes: 4
From: Yukon OK
Actually for 88 and up there is only one plastic gear that is driven off the motor shaft worm gear. More likely the problem is in the 3 bushings that couple the gear to the output shaft. They go bad and turn to powder. Open the motor up and pull the gear apart and check the bushings. If the gear is cracked you will see it. You can order the replacement bushings from most catalogs, but I found that the "Help" generic parts that most parts stores carry have them stocked as "Ford window motor bushings". I think they were about $7 for three. I put them in my motor and they work fine.
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Team Owner
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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Sounds like your bushings to me, too. You can order them from Eckler's or MAM catalogs.
I got mine from Home Depot. Ask for item number 595609. You will need six (6) of these nylon spacers to repair both lights (highly recommended.) I think I paid like .69 cents plus tax for two packs of three bushings.
Click this link for install instructions.
http://www.corvettefever.com/howto/33098/
I got mine from Home Depot. Ask for item number 595609. You will need six (6) of these nylon spacers to repair both lights (highly recommended.) I think I paid like .69 cents plus tax for two packs of three bushings.
Click this link for install instructions.
http://www.corvettefever.com/howto/33098/
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 7,633
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From: Greenville SC
Originally Posted by gpagaduan
Pull harder. Don't worry, you shouldn't break anything. You'll see why once it gets out.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 7,633
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From: Greenville SC
The shaft comes out with the white gear, right? Does it help to turn the adjustment ****?? I have pulled as hard as my grip on a small screwdriver will allow, and it doesn't budge any more.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 7,633
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From: Greenville SC
Originally Posted by onedef92
Gotta love newbie angst. Glad it worked out for ya. Another satisfied CF customer... 
Thanks for the help, but how am I a newbie? I have been a member on the CF since July 2000 (actually on before that), and I am on here about every night, I just don't post a lot and have never needed to repair the headlight in the 9 years I have had the car.
NCM Bash 2008-2018
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From: Granby, MA Talladega Super Speedway Vettes 4 Vets Ambassador
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man kinda funny!!!
man its really funny when you read a post about something you just went through a day or two apart from another member....I swear our vettes all break down in sync! lol
I just went through this all and had the same exact results....I even commented about how that gear was so tough getting out that I nailed my nuckles and chewed them up pretty good against my table. For anybody getting ready to do this....try this...it helps...
put a 10 penny nail through the hole where the cotter pin was located then put two screwdrivers on each side under the nail and wedge the drivers under the metal part of the motor.....then push up....boom....comes right out...(this is for the passenger side) the driver side just comes out easy...you can tap it out from the opposite side cause its in reverse.
just some helpful tips
Jeff
I just went through this all and had the same exact results....I even commented about how that gear was so tough getting out that I nailed my nuckles and chewed them up pretty good against my table. For anybody getting ready to do this....try this...it helps...
put a 10 penny nail through the hole where the cotter pin was located then put two screwdrivers on each side under the nail and wedge the drivers under the metal part of the motor.....then push up....boom....comes right out...(this is for the passenger side) the driver side just comes out easy...you can tap it out from the opposite side cause its in reverse.
just some helpful tips
Jeff
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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Originally Posted by 95wht6spd
Thanks for the help, but how am I a newbie? I have been a member on the CF since July 2000 (actually on before that), and I am on here about every night, I just don't post a lot and have never needed to repair the headlight in the 9 years I have had the car.
Your headlight repair experience went a lot smoother than mine, but I learned a lot and gladly share my experiences with others so theirs
can go well, too.
