C2 - headlight motor rebuild question

[ThomC]

Pulled, disassembled and cleaned my headlight motors. I have a question regarding the drive gear - it has the nylon washer on one side, and the flat and curved washers on the other. When assembled, the curved washer puts a lot of tension on the drive gear. Can someone tell me why this is so? My (uninformed) logic would think that free movement of the gears would be a good thing - but that curved washer sure binds things up. I will reassemble it as built, lather it up with lithium grease and reinstall - but I was just looking for the reason behind the design. Thanks in advance.

 

[67HEAVEN]

I can only guess that the tension is to help maintain a preferred mesh with the worm gear......but as I said, that's a guess.

I'll watch for more informed answers.

 

[ZRGator]

Way back in the old days.....(geezer moment here) there was a story that if you put that curved washer in backwards, the headlights would open much more quickly. Never had to do it myself, so it might be an urban legend.

 

[67HEAVEN]

Hmmm. Interesting, Dennis.

Anyone else know about this?

 

[youwish2bme]

Hmmm. Interesting, Dennis.

Anyone else know about this?

Never heard that either.. I've seemed to have the golden horseshoe as of late for corvette projects. I just rebuilt my setup and they open with the quickness... Could I have put the washer in backwards>???? Hey Bill you care to comment... Oh and Dial up sucks.. Anyone else coming to Knoxville for the Corvette Expo this weekend? Made a little vacation for the wife and I out of it... Dave...

 

[61 Silver]

Pulled, disassembled and cleaned my headlight motors. I have a question regarding the drive gear - it has the nylon washer on one side, and the flat and curved washers on the other. When assembled, the curved washer puts a lot of tension on the drive gear. Can someone tell me why this is so? My (uninformed) logic would think that free movement of the gears would be a good thing - but that curved washer sure binds things up. I will reassemble it as built, lather it up with lithium grease and reinstall - but I was just looking for the reason behind the design. Thanks in advance.

Check the link below

http://www.ncrs.org/forum/archive23.cgi?review=187954

 

[67l36driver]

Go to Ace hardware and look in the yellow bin boxes for a 1/2" wave lock washer and an 18 guage (thickness) 1/2" flat washer. Sub them for the cupped washer (bellville spring) and flat washer. This will reduce the torque necessary to turn the output gear 400%. Yes, I measured it with an inch-pound torque wrench.

The intermediate wormshaft/gear needs a 1/32" shim on each end between the 'top hat' bushings and the housing. Look in the bin boxes at Ace for a suitable small nylon washer to use for a shim.