Bronze headlight gear??? Is the gear my problem???

[Steve92LT1]

Well I have a 92 and I have been having a problem with my driver side headlight not going up.. like it was sticking. If I "helped" it start, it would work. I had another post about troubleshooting and all.. Well.... it's not electrical, it's the motor.

The actual motor part looked good inside, the brushes, commutator and all.. I cleaned that part up.

It's hard to explain, but I think it's binding in the gear part, also because once the motor closes, it's kinda tight to loosen the manual knob. It's like it screws tight.

I finally disassembled the gear part of the motor and the bushings have been replaced before, but the big plastic gear is kinda "mangled" looking. It had some flattened teeth and doesnt look so great.

I've looked online and cant find any info on symptoms of a bad gear, all I can find is the bronze replacement gear with no info basically.

Is this my problem?

I don't want to spend $60 on a gear and come to find out that it's not the problem

Thanks
Steve

 

[vigman]

For now

Re assemble just the electrical motor part and leave the gear out of the drive train for now.

Will the motor now buzz fwd & back by itself?

Now add the gear.. but no headlamp bucket

Still good?

Divide & solve

Vig~

 

[Steve92LT1]

Ok man.. just did it... with no gear or drivetrain.. the motor spins forward and back by itself (has some torque too) It sounds smooth.

Then I put just the big plastic gear back in with the side cover still off.. and it still works fine. It spins like it is supposed to.

This is of course with no load or weight from the headlight mechanism

Steve

 

[GearHead]

Steve, If you run out to your local magazine store you may be able to grab a copy of the March, '03 issue of Vette. It cover this exact problem you are describing. It's a 1 page tech article with another 3 1/2 pages of pics showing how to replace the plastic drive gear with bronze. If you can't find the magazine and don't know anyone w/a monthly subscription, I can try to scan it in and send you a copy. Let me know.
Bill in Pa.

 

[Steve92LT1]

One more thing, just to add... when it's together and the light wont go up... it will kinda "click" from the motor when you try and raise the lights..

Steve

 

[Steve92LT1]

Thanks for the info Bill.... I'll try tomorrow and see if I can get that issue from the store..

Thanks
Steve

 

[Steve92LT1]

Checked the store today and they only had the May issue, nothing before that. I don't know of anyone with a subscription either.. oh well.

If you could scan it or give me some more info, I would greatly appreciate the help...

Thanks again
Steve

 

[yellow84vette]

Best magazine article I've seen, with GREAT photos...hope it helps:
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2001/december/headlights/head1.asp

 

[Steve92LT1]

Article is for pre-88. Thanks anyways..

Got tired of messing with it and I need my headlights. Went to Ecklers and bought a rebuilt motor for $129 w/ exchange. Works great now, didn't want to take a $60 chance on the gear.

Thanks again
Steve