wimpy headlight motor

[Deusxmachine]

My right side headlight will barely pop up, often it only goes about half way and I have to help it flip the rest of the way. Does this mean my motor is wearing out or do i need to get new gears.
Where is the cheapest place to get a new headlight motor. I also need the metal bracket that connects the headlight to the motor for the left side, haven't seen the part in any of my catalogs yet. Any help is appreciated

 

[Ken]

Does this mean my motor is wearing out or do i need to get new gears.

Most likely that is the case. I haven't performed this job yet, but I read somewhere that the bronze replacement gears that everyone recommends may not necessarily be the best way to go. It's been said that the stronger gear will eventually break something else, and that you should stick to the factory-style replacement gear. But as I have stated, I have not experienced this first-hand.

As for the bracket, if the dealer doesn't carry it anymore, or if it is out of production, your best bet would be a Corvette salvage business, such as Tracy Performance in Ohio, or J&D Corvette in Southern California. You might also look through our Portal listings found at the top of each page here.

Good luck.

 

[asby69]

My right side headlight will barely pop up, often it only goes about half way and I have to help it flip the rest of the way. Does this mean my motor is wearing out or do i need to get new gears.
Where is the cheapest place to get a new headlight motor. I also need the metal bracket that connects the headlight to the motor for the left side, haven't seen the part in any of my catalogs yet. Any help is appreciated

Hi Deusxmachine,

More than likely you'll only need to replace three plastic bushing's in each motor. They came from the factory with a hard gel substance, which over time, dries up and turns to dust. You can order the replacement bushings for around $4-5.00 for each motor. I replaced both on my 90 in about 1 1/2 hrs. As far as the bracket, look at www.corvetteamerica.com , I think I saw them on their site.

asby69:Silly

 

[Deusxmachine]

thanks guys. I got the bushings to replace the gel, but now im stuck. how do you get the gear out of the motor. i removed the cover and cant pull it out. does anybody know what i need to do to get it out?

 

[asby69]

thanks guys. I got the bushings to replace the gel, but now im stuck. how do you get the gear out of the motor. i removed the cover and cant pull it out. does anybody know what i need to do to get it out?

Which side, driver or passenger?:confused

 

[JonM]

Maybe this will assist you. http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2001/december/headlights/head1.asp

 

[Deusxmachine]

I have both light out. My car is 90, the link is for older c4s. The motors dont look the same. thanks for the help guys

 

[asby69]

I have both light out. My car is 90, the link is for older c4s. The motors dont look the same. thanks for the help guys

Mine is a 90 also and I just repaired my lights. The one on the drivers side pulled right out after I took the cover off. The one on the passengers side was a different story, I had to take a small screwdriver and "carefully" manipulate the gear out. Be very, very careful with the screwdriver, you could damage the gear. Once you get the gears out of the motors, all you have to do is gently tap the steel rod coming thru the plastic gear and they (rod and gear) should separate revealing the dried up gel (dust). Once you have that, install the plastic bushings and re-install in reverse order. I hope this helps you, but if I can be of further assistance don't hesitate to ask. I'll do what I can.

asby69

 

[onedef92]

I'll lay odds its your bushings. Go to Home Depot and ask for item number 595609. You will need six of these nylon spacers to repair both headlights. They cost me .69 cents (plus tax) for a pack of three at my local Home Depot store.

Much cheaper than the $7.99 price in MAD, Eckler's and some of the other specialty catalogs and they are the exact same Delrin spacers. Go figure.

If there's a TechTips portal on this Forum search under "headlight bushings." If not, let me know and I'll see if I can get you a copy of the instructions I used when I replaced mine a couple of months ago.