Rebuilding Headlight Actuators

[C3forME]

Has anyone had any expierience rebuilding their headlight actuators, if so just how involved is it and how well do they work afterwards? Eckler's has a kit for $34.99 that will do both the and right side. The kit contains a new 2 actuator dust boots, 2 new actuator rod seals , and 2 new seal retaining rings. New actuators are about $100.00 apiece making the rebuild kit at $34.99 look very attractive and tempting as long as the job is not too difficult do.

 

[luvmy73]

I undertook this project last summer. The only real problem is actually getting the actuators out of the car to rebuild. I first used a vacume pump to see if the actuators were holding vacume... which they were not. I then proceeded to soak all the bolts in penetrating solution to loosen them, and then carfully removed the actuators. Replacing the seals is relatively easy, just make sure you follow the instructions. One tip I have for you, is that if you don't want to spend the $$ to have them replated (rather expensive), just go and buy a small spray can of exterior car paint that matches the color of the zinc chromate closely. Eastwood sells a zinc chromate kit that is supposed to replicate the zinc finish, but it does not do a good job. I have gotten alot of compliments about how mine look with this spray technique. It's not NCRS but it is cheap, and looks great. Let me know if you want a picture.

I also purchased my rebuild kit from ZIP Corvettes. They are a first rate company, and the kit was perfect.