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Topic: Headlights won't go up all the way

in Forum: C3 Body


Headlights won't go up all the way

Posted: 5/31/07 7:54pm Message 1 of 9
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Westerly, RI - USA
Joined: 5/26/2005
Posts: 133
Vette(s): 77 L48 Original paint True dual stainless exhaust Edelbrock intake manifold and Thunder series carb Distributor has an pern upgrade
My right headlight only comes uo about 4 inches and then binds.  The other headlight looks like the cover clears the body on the back end of the cover and goes right up.  Does anyone have directions on the adjustment of the covers and the best way to work on them.


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Headlights won't go up all the way

Posted: 6/1/07 5:07am Message 2 of 9
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
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
IS the door actually hitting/binding on the body? Might be worn bearings in the assy., or something broke. Did this just start, or has it been like this for a while?
The adjustments are many...perhaps someone will come up with an easy way to do it...


Joel Adams
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Headlights won't go up all the way

Posted: 6/1/07 5:11am Message 3 of 9
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Lanoka Harbor, NJ - USA
Joined: 12/21/2006
Posts: 828
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
a full troubleshooting guide can be found at www.corvette-101.com and best of all it's free. imo the best one out there. i would suggest you get a rebuild kit as it sounds like the bushings are worn or have rust from the pins caked up on them. make sure you order the pins if they don't come in the kit. you can work on them from under neath or pull the grill on the front blinkers and work thru them.


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Headlights won't go up all the way

Posted: 6/4/07 2:24pm Message 4 of 9
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Jefferson City, MO - USA
Joined: 3/9/2007
Posts: 150
Vette(s): 1969 L46 4 Speed Roadster
I would definately remove the grille, and the head light covers once you have them open.  This will give you much better access.  You could have a problem with the pins and bushings in the links, the pivot bearings or it could be a vacuum problem.  There should be four springs on each pair of links.  These springs hook over the ends of the link pins.  When the headlights are fully extended, you should not be able to push them down.  To manually lower them, you have to reach in from under the car, and push the pivot point of the front and rear link inward.  If you can push them down then, they are not adjusted properly and will shake when you drive down the road.


Headlights won't go up all the way

Posted: 6/5/07 9:13am Message 5 of 9
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Victor, NY - USA
Joined: 7/12/2004
Posts: 6841
Vette(s): 2004 Commemorative Edition Coupe, Auto w/HUD. 13K miles in 2015. Sold 1982 Red Coupe
 
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Headlights won't go up all the way

Posted: 6/5/07 8:53pm Message 6 of 9
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Westerly, RI - USA
Joined: 5/26/2005
Posts: 133
Vette(s): 77 L48 Original paint True dual stainless exhaust Edelbrock intake manifold and Thunder series carb Distributor has an pern upgrade
Am I not seeing it on 101.  All I see is headlight relay repair.  I was hoping for a visual of how the headlight doors are adjusted and how they go up and down.  The headlight door in question is sitting lower in the top left hand corner then the hood.  Thats lower by about 1/4 to 1/2 in and when the lights head up it binds on the bottom of the hood by about 1/4 inch. I can't find the full troubleshooting guidein 101.  This weekend I'll try as 1969L46 suggests.


Headlights won't go up all the way

Posted: 6/6/07 2:02pm Message 7 of 9
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Davie, FL - USA
Joined: 2/29/2004
Posts: 173
Vette(s): 1980 l48
I have problems with mine as well. The adjustments for  normal (not mine)
headlights can be found in the service manual. But mine I believe is in the bearing stop and there are no instructions for that. If its just the door that needs adjusting look underneath and right at the front of the assembly you will find one bolt facing down. That one should adjust how the door sits.



Mike

Headlights won't go up all the way

Posted: 6/8/07 6:11am Message 8 of 9
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Jefferson City, MO - USA
Joined: 3/9/2007
Posts: 150
Vette(s): 1969 L46 4 Speed Roadster
If the rear of the door (pivot point) is low, it does sound like the bearing could be shot or it may just be the housing support coming loose from the front clip.  The housing is secured to the underside of the front clip with a stud and nut combination.  Check the nut back in that corner.  It could be loose or gone allowing the housing to drop.   Let us know what you find.


Headlights won't go up all the way

Posted: 6/8/07 10:57am Message 9 of 9
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Frederick, MD - USA
Joined: 2/20/2003
Posts: 548
Vette(s): Frederick County Corvette Club (Maryland) Tan 64 365 Hp Conv 4 sp Red 72 4 sp Conv ..running a '68 327 Blue 76 Coupe L 48 4 sp White 79 Coupe L 82 auto Silver 98 Conv, 6 sp 35th Anniv '88 vette
Can not remember on which car (I believe it was my 76) BUT the housing support itself was POT METAL which had corroded....cleaned it up but in the end I had to replace the support itself.  

So look at the support ..





Bob
64,72 & 98 Corvette Ragtops
76 & 79 & qa 88 ANC Corvette Coupes

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