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Topic: Headlight Bearings

in Forum: C3 Body


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Headlight Bearings (1/7)
 1/4/09 11:31am
ksearles
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Joined: 7/24/2006
Posts: 48

Just like C3LVRNAK I'm holed up in my shop tinkering with my 69. It's nowhere near -47F, but too cold and nasty to be out.
 
This winter I decided to keep the Vette projects small and simple and am hoping that changing the bearings on my right headlight assembly is in that ballpark.
 
Any advice/suggestions from you guys with experience changing these bearings?
 
The right side headlight is sloppy compared to the left and when the lights are up and on, the headlight warning lamp blinks when I hit a small bump in the road. I assume the bearings need replaced, correct?
 
Thanks in advance, oh wise ones.
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Headlight Bearings (2/7)
 1/4/09 12:57pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20128

More likely the bushings on all of the pivot points need attending to. The actual bearings rarely have any issues, tho they do fail occasionally.
Check the plastic bushings where the actuator linkage attaches to the bucket...right where the warning light switch is located. If you can move the bucket up/down a little bit, easily, that's prolly where the looseness is.Adams' Apple2009-01-04 10:17:59

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Headlight Bearings (3/7)
 1/4/09 2:50pm
ksearles
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Posts: 48

I'm pretty sure it's the bearings. That's where all the play is. The actuator linkage looks pretty tight.
Headlight Bearings (4/7)
 1/4/09 2:53pm
Gribble123Lifetime Member
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Kingston, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1977 L-82 originally white/buckskin interior. Currently undergoing a frame-off resto. and modifications.YEEHAW!!!


Joined: 11/26/2003
Posts: 636

I bought a complete headlight bushing kit from Bair's at Carlisle a few years ago. Excellent kit, and all the hardware is stainless, so you won't ever have to do that job again.
They're a supporting vendor, so they have my suggestion. I forget the price, but I think it was under $200 for the kit....well worth it.
 
Alan
Headlight Bearings (5/7)
 1/4/09 10:27pm
eddie20875Lifetime Member
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Lanoka Harbor, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1975 metallic blue coupe with t-tops,L48, t/t steering, black leather interior. 1990 L98, white/red leather interior, auto,a/c


Joined: 12/21/2006
Posts: 828

when i redid mine i had to take the linkage out and bang the pin out. it actually had so must rust that it wouldn't come out of the plastic bushing thats in there. after replacing pins and bushings. it was great. also springs maybe weak.
 another thing maybe there is a vacuum issue. if a cannister or relay is bad could cause a loose light too. go to corvette-101.com and ther is a free guide on checking vacuum system from start to finish.


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Headlight Bearings (6/7)
 1/14/09 10:45am
ksearles
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Posts: 48

As always, thanks for all you guys' guidance and expertise.
 
I finished the headlight project on my 69. It was a combination of things. The plastic bushings needed replaced and the big culprit was one of the two big steel pins in the  aluminum headlight bucket was loose. These pins are splined and pressed into the bucket. I simply cleaned the loose one and used JB Weld on it. Hopefully that will take care of it. Not much else could be done short of replacing the aluminum headlight bucket and I didn't even bother to price one of those out.
 
Thanks again.Clap
Headlight Bearings (7/7)
 1/15/09 1:25am
lukesvetteLifetime Member
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HOWELL, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.


Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812

It's tedious work but the results are well worth the effort!! Thumbs%20Up
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