Need help with headlight fix
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Need help with headlight fix
To my fellow CF buddies who are familiar with replacing the piece of crap gear that brings the headlight up and down:
I've already ordered the new brass gear from Rodney Dickman, and I'm trying to get the headlight up to begin the repair, but it will absolutely not move no matter what I do. I've turned the manual **** a thousand times while pulling up on the headlight from the side, and I can't get it to budge. I assume the gear is stripped so badly that the motor has nothing to catch onto. If that is the case, does anyone know how I can get the headlight up to repair it?
I've already ordered the new brass gear from Rodney Dickman, and I'm trying to get the headlight up to begin the repair, but it will absolutely not move no matter what I do. I've turned the manual **** a thousand times while pulling up on the headlight from the side, and I can't get it to budge. I assume the gear is stripped so badly that the motor has nothing to catch onto. If that is the case, does anyone know how I can get the headlight up to repair it?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,975
Likes: 6,778
From: Bonneville Salt Flats
In your case it would seem something is actually jammed, keeping the manual mechanism from working. I've not seen that before. Sorry I don't know what to do other than look at coming in from the bottom and seeing if you can tell.
However, the point of this reply is to remind people that the gear isn't the only thing that goes wrong with light function. The "acutator" can go bad and if it does one of the things it may do is to keep the motor running for a time after the light is retracted. If that happens and you've chosen to install the brass gear, you'll probably soon learn why the factory opted for something gentler when it strips. Though many swear by them, I'd pass on the brass gear, having replaced an actuator.
Good luck.
However, the point of this reply is to remind people that the gear isn't the only thing that goes wrong with light function. The "acutator" can go bad and if it does one of the things it may do is to keep the motor running for a time after the light is retracted. If that happens and you've chosen to install the brass gear, you'll probably soon learn why the factory opted for something gentler when it strips. Though many swear by them, I'd pass on the brass gear, having replaced an actuator.
Good luck.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 417
Likes: 1
From: Florida
Fovsky,
I’m assuming you tried to turn the **** in both directions and it still doesn’t work. You need patience and finesse so don’t get frustrated. I had to turn mine a bunch of times before it went up. Put slight up ward pressure on the housing while turning it, it may help.
Once you get the headlight up take the plastic bezel off. You will then have access to the assembly. I took the two top mounting bolts off the assembly and removed the entire assembly. It was much easier that way, at least for me. You then only have to disconnect the two bulb connections and the one bolt to the headlight motor shaft.
I’m assuming you tried to turn the **** in both directions and it still doesn’t work. You need patience and finesse so don’t get frustrated. I had to turn mine a bunch of times before it went up. Put slight up ward pressure on the housing while turning it, it may help.
Once you get the headlight up take the plastic bezel off. You will then have access to the assembly. I took the two top mounting bolts off the assembly and removed the entire assembly. It was much easier that way, at least for me. You then only have to disconnect the two bulb connections and the one bolt to the headlight motor shaft.
