Brass vs. Plastic Headlight Motor Gears? - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

SteelBlueZR1 · 09-12-2011

My 1991 ZR1 with 4k miles p/s headlight is doing the wink thing and running after turned off... so it is time for new gears/bushings.

When replacing gears and bushings in headlight motor, what are the + and -'s of plastic vs. brass gears. What kit do you recommend for the 1991 ZR1, so this will be a lifetime fix?

rhipsher · 09-12-2011

If its making the Ca Clunk Ca Clunk Ca Clunk Ca Clunk noise then its most likely that you just have to replace the 3 9/16 dia x .425 long plastic pieces that have crubled that sit inside th gear. You can pic them up at any auto parts store in the window regulator section for $9.00 a set. You should'nt have to replace the gears. But Id go with brass if I ever had to replace the gears.

ZZZZZR1 · 09-12-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhipsher

If its making the Ca Clunk Ca Clunk Ca Clunk Ca Clunk noise then its most likely that you just have to replace the 3 9/16 dia x .425 long plastic pieces that have crubled that sit inside th gear. You can pic them up at any auto parts store in the window regulator section for $9.00 a set. You should'nt have to replace the gears. But Id go with brass if I ever had to replace the gears.

Tried a local auto parts and they hadnt a clue...

Any place you recommend and or a part number for the plastic bushings?

Thanks

David

VetteMed · 09-12-2011

I've been told that you can buy em in home depot/lowe's in the hardware aisle... never looked, I just bought mine on ebay for a few bucks.

rhipsher · 09-12-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZZZZZR1

Tried a local auto parts and they hadnt a clue...

Any place you recommend and or a part number for the plastic bushings?

Thanks

David

They are not going to know anything about it. Just go into Orielly's and walk back to the window regulator section and you will see them either in packs of three or two. They are 9/16 diameter round X about .425 long.

gbrtng · 09-12-2011

Any parts store with the HELP stuff has them. They come 3 pieces to a blister pack for about $7.00 - seem to remember they are called a part of a Ford pickup window regulator.
Solid white nylon rod like Mid America sells.

GOLDCYLON · 09-12-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteelBlueZR1

What kit do you recommend for the 1991 ZR1, so this will be a lifetime fix?

Brass/Bronze is a life time choice for your 91 ZR-1. The failure point is the Delran bushings. Available at Madvet or Ecklers. If you buy the brass gears the 3 bushings normally come with each gear in a kit. Also as stated the HELP section has the same bushings. GC

USAFPILOT · 09-12-2011

I bought the brass gear set wit the solid plastic bushings. They are hard as hell to press into the brass gear, but I got them in and am having no trouble. I have no idea how long they will last, time will tell. Brass is still a soft metal, so if it starts to slip I think it will grind down. The best bet is to change those plastic bushings at the first sign of wear. So if you ever hear it clicking before it becomes a one eye, change them.

Schrade · 07-02-2013

Article in vette magazine said go with plastic gears, not bronze.

You want the plastic gears to fail, instead of the motor. Article also said weight of bronze gear is a factor. I don't know better to argue with their experience...

09-12-2011	#1
SteelBlueZR1 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Evergreen, Co. Posts: 346	Brass vs. Plastic Headlight Motor Gears? My 1991 ZR1 with 4k miles p/s headlight is doing the wink thing and running after turned off... so it is time for new gears/bushings. When replacing gears and bushings in headlight motor, what are the + and -'s of plastic vs. brass gears. What kit do you recommend for the 1991 ZR1, so this will be a lifetime fix? __________________ Bert Rankin 1991 ZR1 Steel Blue / Steel Blue #1029 Haibeck chip, slotted rotors, camber brace, C-beam plates, OBX exhaust, Nitto NT555 tires [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

09-12-2011	#2
rhipsher Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Houston 90 Red ZR-1 Posts: 2,320	Re: Brass vs. Plastic Headlight Motor Gears? If its making the Ca Clunk Ca Clunk Ca Clunk Ca Clunk noise then its most likely that you just have to replace the 3 9/16 dia x .425 long plastic pieces that have crubled that sit inside th gear. You can pic them up at any auto parts store in the window regulator section for $9.00 a set. You should'nt have to replace the gears. But Id go with brass if I ever had to replace the gears.

09-12-2011	#4
VetteMed Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,828	Re: Brass vs. Plastic Headlight Motor Gears? I've been told that you can buy em in home depot/lowe's in the hardware aisle... never looked, I just bought mine on ebay for a few bucks. __________________ 2004 Z06/Z16 LeMans Commemorative Edition 1991 ZR-1 #302 White/Gray (sold) 1991 ZR-1 #1147 Red/Saddle (sold)

09-12-2011	#6
gbrtng Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Antonio area Posts: 1,179	Re: Brass vs. Plastic Headlight Motor Gears? Any parts store with the HELP stuff has them. They come 3 pieces to a blister pack for about $7.00 - seem to remember they are called a part of a Ford pickup window regulator. Solid white nylon rod like Mid America sells. __________________ “Buy the best example of what you want, and pay whatever it takes. That way, you cry only once.” ~ Bruce Meyer

09-12-2011	#8
USAFPILOT Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Spring TX Posts: 1,348	Re: Brass vs. Plastic Headlight Motor Gears? I bought the brass gear set wit the solid plastic bushings. They are hard as hell to press into the brass gear, but I got them in and am having no trouble. I have no idea how long they will last, time will tell. Brass is still a soft metal, so if it starts to slip I think it will grind down. The best bet is to change those plastic bushings at the first sign of wear. So if you ever hear it clicking before it becomes a one eye, change them. Last edited by USAFPILOT; 09-12-2011 at 04:05 PM.

07-02-2013	#9
Schrade Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: NC Posts: 1,786	Re: Brass vs. Plastic Headlight Motor Gears? Article in vette magazine said go with plastic gears, not bronze. You want the plastic gears to fail, instead of the motor. Article also said weight of bronze gear is a factor. I don't know better to argue with their experience... __________________ I'm getting my snappics / threads removed blindly as fast as I can, to get in compliance with copyright / license TOS on the boards here (lots of FSM pages and other copyright / license violations on my part; sorry guys). And thanks to all the guys who didn't whine when I posted those FSM copyrighted / licensed stuff in my threads... ( :thumbsup: [b]and to think I complied with a mod's request to delete a pic of him in a Challenge Car in NCM Museum, so he wouldn't get in hot water)[/b] Thanks to several guys here for sending parts FREE; BearlyFlying, WeGone, Geezer, GoldCylon, and more there, TonyD, mike100, fletchusmc... 1990 #2794; 4L60e Stage V by RPM Transmission, TCI Dedicated TCM, OBX Stainless, Power Effects 3" [IMG]https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-GHpfzty7DVU/UQn-0Ru2xAI/AAAAAAAAA14/08mz1p4QLD4/s445/Screenshot-5.png[/IMG]