Headlights jiggly.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,997
Likes: 386
From: Chandler AZ
Headlights jiggly.
This is something I'm not sure if my car has done since getting in 2003, or as it's gotten older.
It's not constant, and I mainly notice it at night on freeways that are worn or rough, while approaching overpasses that have big street signs.
I will see bouncy or jiggly lights hitting the signs from a distance.
Is this common, or is something wrong?
I can't see the headlight's backsides (part that opens and closes) jiggle just the light projection on a object like a big sign.
It's not constant, and I mainly notice it at night on freeways that are worn or rough, while approaching overpasses that have big street signs.
I will see bouncy or jiggly lights hitting the signs from a distance.
Is this common, or is something wrong?
I can't see the headlight's backsides (part that opens and closes) jiggle just the light projection on a object like a big sign.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,360
Likes: 24,783
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
I think mine does it to some extent. Not surprising since they are pop up lights.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,962
Likes: 254
From: Richmond, Ky
My left side was “jiggley” when I got the car and upon investigation found the original bolt/pin that connects the lift arm to the assembly had been replaced and the fit was loose.
I suspect that if both lights are moving around some it could be that the plastic bushings that the lift arm pin goes through could be worn or brittle to the point they have fallen out.
I lucked out by finding a member in the classifieds parting out a headlight assembly that had just what I needed. Putting the correct pin and bushing back in place corrected my issue and the lights have been rock solid since.
I suspect that if both lights are moving around some it could be that the plastic bushings that the lift arm pin goes through could be worn or brittle to the point they have fallen out.
I lucked out by finding a member in the classifieds parting out a headlight assembly that had just what I needed. Putting the correct pin and bushing back in place corrected my issue and the lights have been rock solid since.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 353
From: Little Rock Arkansas
My immediate guess would be to check the bump stops mentioned above. The bump stop rubber isolaters - you have four of them to each headlight, two that control the full open and close and two that "hold" it in place when open - deform with continuous use. As a temporary fix, you can remove each one and flip it 180 degrees so the "good" side contacts.
You'll see the two for the headlight door pretty easy. When you open your hood they're immediately on the "top" side of the headlight near the harness and motor ****. The two that control the full open and full close are a little harder to see. Raising the headlight motor manually via the ****, they will come into view on the headlight motor bracket. Obviously you can't raise the **** all the way otherwise you won't be able to actually remove the one that controls the full open position.
Other than those the only other items to check would be the physical mounts of the headlight assembly itself, which has a possibility of being loose, and also the nut that holds the pivot arm to the headlight body.
You'll see the two for the headlight door pretty easy. When you open your hood they're immediately on the "top" side of the headlight near the harness and motor ****. The two that control the full open and full close are a little harder to see. Raising the headlight motor manually via the ****, they will come into view on the headlight motor bracket. Obviously you can't raise the **** all the way otherwise you won't be able to actually remove the one that controls the full open position.
Other than those the only other items to check would be the physical mounts of the headlight assembly itself, which has a possibility of being loose, and also the nut that holds the pivot arm to the headlight body.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,747
Likes: 224
From: Hillsboro Oregon
A common issue that is more visible when using HIDs with a sharp cutoff.......but it can be reduced.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...id-jiggle.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...id-jiggle.html
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski