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My driver side motor is bad. I can hear the gears grinding when it tries to close the lamp container.
I'm having a problem finding one reasonably priced, or even at all.
Auto Zone did offer a gear kit.
O'Rielly offered an AC/Delco for around $350.00.
So roll the dice on a gear kit, or spend the $360?
Any suggestions on what I should do?
Thanks!
Pat
EDIT: It's cheaper than the price you quoted, unless you were doing both motors. For some reason the passenger motor is about $70 more. I went the gear route when mine went bad, but I somhow made an error in the reinstall and my motors never worked correctly afterwards. If you're willing to document and fiddle, the gears are fine, but if you want a plug and play setup, the motors are a good option.
Last edited by MikeyMcFly; Jun 26, 2020 at 02:28 PM.
If the motor is working and moving I'd just change the gears out for the brass ones. It's not not really that hard of a job. Be a lot cheaper also. Where are you located? If you have any reservations about changing the gears maybe someone local to you can help you out.
Stripped gears are a common issue on our cars as the gears are plastic. I if you can hear the gears grinding, that means the motor is still working. You should just swap out for some metal gears. It's cheaper, and should be a long term fix to your issue.
I just rebuilt both of my headlight motors. I posted in the 'what did you do to your C5 today' thread. They were a mess inside when I got in there but they work great now. Its a little tedious but there are some great guides on here and with the rebuild and the upgraded parts and grease I think mine are better than they were originally.
My driver side motor is bad. I can hear the gears grinding when it tries to close the lamp container...
@pajones321 Since yours is a '99 it's even easier because it's only 3 screws and you don't have to deal with glue or anything.
Get a kit like this one (pay attention because there are 2 different kits: one for "97 to early 2000" and another for "late 2000 to 2004") and follow these step-by-step directions. You'll save money and they will last forever.
It would be wise to replace as well the rubber bump stops in both sides (#4 in diagram below). You can get them here.
There is a TSB, that calls for shimming the driver's side motor. The parts needed for this are included in the above mentioned kit (#2 in diagram below).
^what are the differences in the motors besides the screws vs glue?
My originals had glue and I replaced them with the screw version without issue.
97 to early 2000:
aluminum gearbox
removable gearbox cover held in place by 3 little screws
Late 2000 to 2004:
plastic gearbox
cover is glued in place
Both of them have a metal motor casing and a plastic gear with cavities to insert the rubber damper/isolator.
They are 100% interchangeable.
Because of these differences, their gear replacement kits are different: the 1st version doesn't require the T-Brace nor the glue, but needs a new gasket, while the 2nd version is the other way around
This is a kick-*** post. The knowledge here and willingness to help never ceases to amaze me!
Originally Posted by GCG
@pajones321 Since yours is a '99 it's even easier because it's only 3 screws and you don't have to deal with glue or anything.
Get a kit like this one (pay attention because there are 2 different kits: one for "97 to early 2000" and another for "late 2000 to 2004") and follow these step-by-step directions. You'll save money and they will last forever.
It would be wise to replace as well the rubber bump stops in both sides (#4 in diagram below). You can get them here.
There is a TSB, that calls for shimming the driver's side motor. The parts needed for this are included in the above mentioned kit (#2 in diagram below).
The gear that strips only uses half the gear. You can flip the stripped plastic gear over and it will fix it for free, until that side eventually strips out. Since I was in there I replaced it with a brass gear.
Well nothing is easy!
Ordered Auto pro brand motor, box clearly says 97-99 corvette LH Motor.
The shaft that fits into the arm is slightly larger that the original and thus does not fit!
Returning, ordering gear kit....................
Installed new brass gear, works great! Thanks Rodney.
Thank for all the great advice, it is appreciated.
Wish I could find a forum like this for my 75 caddy eldo convertible!
1999 Driver side headlamp motor!
I just rebuilt both of my headlight motors. I posted in the 'what did you do to your C5 today' thread. They were a mess inside when I got in there but they work great now. Its a little tedious but there are some great guides on here and with the rebuild and the upgraded parts and grease I think mine are better than they were originally.
