Headlight Motor Gears...changed & success.... - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

Roadster · 08-25-2014

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-g...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

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.......

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........

Schrade · 08-25-2014

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

i remember doing mine, what a pita

Roadster · 08-25-2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schrade

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....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin

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

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by efnfast

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by efnfast

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 · 08-25-2014

you can get the kits from any of the big vendors, I think my last ones were from Mid america.

efnfast · 08-26-2014

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

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?

08-25-2014	#1
Roadster Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Warrington PA Posts: 1,915	Headlight Motor Gears...changed & success.... 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-g...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 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....... 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........ __________________ Tom 1994 ZR-1 #009 "captured test fleet car" 1974 LS4 454 Vert 1974 L-82 355 Vert. 1982 L83 CFI...now a retired "dd"....Sold WAZOO Member Last edited by Roadster; 08-25-2014 at 12:54 PM.

08-25-2014	#2
Schrade Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: NC Posts: 1,783	Re: Headlight Motor Gears...changed & success.... 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...

08-25-2014	#3
Kevin Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: pittsburgh Posts: 4,624	Re: Headlight Motor Gears...changed & success.... i remember doing mine, what a pita __________________ It's not the car, it's the people - Doug Johnson 90 r/r "KEYS ON" nick named "T.L.B"

08-25-2014	#5
efnfast Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Dunbarton NH Posts: 7,589	Re: Headlight Motor Gears...changed & success.... 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

08-25-2014	#8
phrogs Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Kalamazoo MI Posts: 1,763	Re: Headlight Motor Gears...changed & success.... you can get the kits from any of the big vendors, I think my last ones were from Mid america. __________________ JOHNNY P Currently own 90 ZR-1 #845 DRM 500 engine package 90 #226 Parts car Hit me up if you need anything.

08-26-2014	#9
efnfast Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Dunbarton NH Posts: 7,589	Re: Headlight Motor Gears...changed & success.... 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.

08-26-2014	#10
Racinfan83 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Eastern Missouri Posts: 773	Re: Headlight Motor Gears...changed & success.... 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?