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View Full Version : Headlight Motor Gears...changed & success....


Roadster
08-25-2014, 01:51 PM
On my 94 the headlight gears would continue to spin for 5 or 6 seconds after turning on or off. Did a search on the forums and a member on CF had a list of you tube videos for various jobs. One of them being the headlight gear change. Here is the link, this young guy did a great job of the process with his video:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-general-discussion/3020141-corvette-c4-how-to-videos.html

So I go out to the garage late Saturday night, and do the driver's side gear replacement. Things could not have went smoother, so I am thinking that on Sunday the passenger side will be cake.....wrong!!!!
The passenger side KMA big time:mad: ended up stripping a torx screw on the motor housing, had to get the dremel tool out and cut a slot in the head to use a flat blade screwdriver to finally get the screw out, with the help of my wife, as she was holding the assembly in place, otherwise would not have gotten it done myself.
The gears were toast, just like in the viodeo, on the RS the bushings were non-exisient, don't ask me where they went, they just went (disintegrated) just like in the video. Replaced them with the bronze gears (worthwhile) investment to say the least, never have to worry about them again, at least in my lifetime.......:dancing
Also lined up the headlight doors near perfect on both sides with the gaps even on all sides. The lights now go up & down without any problems at all. On the LS, the door is flush with the body and there is no movement on the door when the light is down. The RS is also flush and has a very slight movement in the down position, and I mean very slight, that I may just leave as is, as it is a 200% improvement over what it was.
The only complication I still have is trying ti reconnect the headlight wire harness on that small rotating clip that is on top of the side lamp assembly. Once I figure that out, all will be good........
Did not take any pics, as the video covers that completely.
So if your thinking about doing the job I would recommend spending the extra $$$ and get the bronze gears, you will be glad you did........:-D

Schrade
08-25-2014, 02:14 PM
Vette Magazine Nov. 2000 article said probably use plastic instead of Bronze, for strain on lightweight motor.

I'm not published, so I can't argue with much credit.

Got a plastic gear if you need another...

Kevin
08-25-2014, 02:36 PM
i remember doing mine, what a pita

Roadster
08-25-2014, 02:50 PM
Vette Magazine Nov. 2000 article said probably use plastic instead of Bronze, for strain on lightweight motor.

I'm not published, so I can't argue with much credit.

Got a plastic gear if you need another...

I am good on the gears...thanks....
I also thought about going with the plastic gears, but am really glad I went with the bronze. Especially after seeing what happen to the plastic ones. And the amount of time I will use the headlights is nil, since it is strickly a pleasure vehicle, as the 82 is my "dd". IMO, I think the bronze gears will be fine, although they are heavier, at least they will never wear out....

i remember doing mine, what a pita

As I mentioned, after doing the DS, I thought wow, I could do these all day long........glad I changed that thought process, it changed real fast while doing the RS......as we all know, learn from experience, just glad I was able to get the stripped screw out.......

efnfast
08-25-2014, 10:13 PM
Thanks Tom, I picked up a lazy head light while in Carlisle. Where did you get the parts from? Does Jerry have these? TIA- Steve

Roadster
08-25-2014, 11:11 PM
Thanks Tom, I picked up a lazy head light while in Carlisle. Where did you get the parts from? Does Jerry have these? TIA- Steve

Steve, dont know if Jerry sells these items. Ended up getting mine from Corvette America, alot of vendors were out of stock on these items and they were BO from CA slso. Took me about a week and a half to get the parts. I think most of the vendors have them in stock now. I am at work now but if you need a part # I can get it for you tomorrow afternoon. .....

secondchance
08-25-2014, 11:43 PM
Thanks Tom, I picked up a lazy head light while in Carlisle. Where did you get the parts from? Does Jerry have these? TIA- Steve

Steve,
What makes you think they are lazy? Was it on a car? Also, if they are lazy, I wonder if you picked up an early version which had totally different rotating mechanism.

phrogs
08-26-2014, 12:44 AM
you can get the kits from any of the big vendors, I think my last ones were from Mid america.

efnfast
08-26-2014, 07:26 AM
Thanks guys.
Yun, Jeff (thrstyzr1) told me when I was following him back to the hotel he noticed it sagging. I haven't had time to even turn the headlights back on, but will investigate further.

Racinfan83
08-26-2014, 08:18 AM
I turned mine on after the show Sat and the PS one won't come up at all. The motors/gears were sent off and rebuilt by PO right before I got the car and I haven't used em much. Is there a common connection or ground issue I need to check? Can I run the lights with hood up or is that a no-no?

GOLDCYLON
08-26-2014, 10:13 AM
Can I run the lights with hood up or is that a no-no?

Yes you can there is no issue with that

Roadster
08-31-2014, 12:32 AM
updated photos....here are some pics of the lights in the down position so you can see how flush they are with the body and how good (I think) the gaps look around the doors.....again very happy with the results and the lights work perfect........:-D

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p138/SSROADSTER/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-08/20140830_213215.jpg (http://s127.photobucket.com/user/SSROADSTER/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-08/20140830_213215.jpg.html)
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p138/SSROADSTER/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-08/20140830_213233.jpg (http://s127.photobucket.com/user/SSROADSTER/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-08/20140830_213233.jpg.html)
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p138/SSROADSTER/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-08/20140830_213244.jpg (http://s127.photobucket.com/user/SSROADSTER/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-08/20140830_213244.jpg.html)

thirstyzr1
09-13-2014, 10:40 PM
My driver side light opened a little slower than my ps. I then heard the motor running a little longer than the ps.
Carlisle 2012 is when my ds light started saghing at hwy speeds. Followed the utube vid already mentioned. 3 bushings in the houseing were dust. $5parts 45 mins and good as new.
Steve hope thats all it is with yours.

efnfast
09-14-2014, 04:55 PM
Geez, I almost forgot about them. Where did you get the parts?

thirstyzr1
09-14-2014, 09:52 PM
I picked them up in carlisle 2 years ago.
All the major suppliers should have them. Ecklers Mid America. Corvette Central.
The bushings went before the gears were shredded.

efnfast
09-15-2014, 07:14 AM
Once you open them, do both the bushings and gears?

thirstyzr1
09-15-2014, 08:23 AM
I just did the bushings. I figured the gear would be ok as the lights still opened. The motor just ran a little longer after the light finished rotating.