Ok I just got my 87 TA WS6 and the headlights will not pop up at all, the drivers side tried to come up once about half way then went back down. I can hear the motors runs and they are not loud. The ***** on the tops of the motors do not spin when the headlight switch is tunred on, Also the ***** just spin freely when you turn them. Are those ***** the only way to manual raise the headlights? Also do you think the motors are still good and only a repair is needed?

Does anyone have really good instructions for removing the whole headlight assy's from the car? i just don't want to break anything.

 

The 3 nylon bushings inside the motors have probably turned into powder. I got my assemblies off with a 10mm swivel socket attached to a long extension. Whole thing off in less than a minute. Mark the assembly so it will line up properly when you go to reinstall. Some people replace the bushings with something indestructable like nuts or washers, dont do it. Use glue sticks or wood or next time the whole motors will be shot. Regards..

 

Where do I mark the assy's ? One the RAD support where the brackets bolt on? Also my headlights will not come up and I don't want to break them by pulling on them. Does the motors have the be unpluged for the manual crack to work or is mine so shot nothing is going to bring them up?

 

Either my TDS 207280 or TD 209280 headlight repair kit will solve the problem. Since the headlight motors will no longer rise if you turn the ***** you've waited too long to do the repair as a one-man job. To get the headlight bucket up, have someone press the headlight switch while you grab hold of the headlight bucket with both hands and shake and pull up. It will take a while, but eventually the headlight bucket will pop up. Once you have it up follow the instructions included with the kit to replace the bushings (now just powder) inside the gear of each headlight actuator. On the drivers-side you need to remove the motor from the actuator housing to get the gear out. As it says in the instructions, spray each of the screws with AeroKroil or PB Blaster and let it soak before attempting to remove the screws. It is common for a few of the screws , (especially the two mounting the motor to the actuator housing) to be siezed. It is very easy to snap off the head. In the TDS 209280 deluxe headlight repair kit I include new gaskets and a pair of slightly longer screws and nuts in case you snap off the head despite the use of penetrating oil.

I also find is strange you found no solution to the 87-92 Firebird headlight problem, especially since I've posted of the solution MANY times on TGO. My customers also frequently post of their good results using my repair kit(s).

Lon Salgren

 

I did not wait too long LOL I just got the car and the headlights were messed up when I bought it. I just want to remove the whole assy's and do it that way, or will that not work? Can you install the repair kit with the motors still on the headlights assy's if removed from the car?

 

It is easier to remove the motor from the headlight assembly than it is to remove the whole headlight assembly. Or it was for me.

 

yeah after really looking at it last night i'm going to leave the assy's in the car and just remove the motors, Ordering the repair kit today.

 

You can't go wrong with TDS. I used the deluxe headlight repair kit on my Firebird, and I've bought quite a few of the bearing kits to repair motors for other local 'bird owners. TDS is a top notch vendor.

 

And don't forget a tube of anti-seize so you can get the motor screws out again if anything else goes wrong...

Although, I prefer my method as opposed to those nylon bushings... Ball bearings. Only one per gear. And pack the upper bearing in the motor can, and put some wheel bearing grease on the armature shaft where it contacts the lower bushing. I won't need to worry about the motors again (getting rid of the car), and neither will the guys who end up with the motors, until the brushes give out and the motors are officially DOA.

 

I orderd the kit from Hawk's Third Gen on Friday. Over the weekend the headlights tried to come up and with a tad bit of help they will come up now I know for sure I can get them up to install the repair kits. I have other issues with the car right now so fixing the headlights is the least of my worries right now LOL!