Headlight Motor

**Smkn_TA** · 12-26-2008, 11:06 AM

Replaced my first headlight motor today. Just wondering if there was an easier way to do it? I took that top bracket off, cranked the light all the way up, and took the panel off the bottom to gain access. It was still tight as hell though. Had to come from the bottom for two of the bolts and the top for the easy one. I wanted to take the entire headlight assembley out but could not figure out how and hanes manual doesn't mention anything about pontiacs headlight motor. WIERD.

Took me an hour to do all in all.

**JoshieDoom** · 12-29-2008, 10:41 PM

Two 10mm bolts with torx bits on top of the headlight(the pivot bolts), one 10mm nut for the arm and 3 for the motor. All can be done in about 15 minutes.

**onetroubledguy** · 12-30-2008, 03:34 PM

There's actually a video of a guy doing it. Should be quite helpful. Let me try and find it for you...

Edit: http://www.bfranker.badz28.com/headl...earinstall.wmv

**JoshieDoom** · 12-31-2008, 02:39 AM

Ill make a video when I get time to it. There is a LOT easier way to do it. No removing the cover and shield.

The two hinge bolts are all you need to take off... and I BROKE one of them.. and im still looking for one...

**onetroubledguy** · 12-31-2008, 03:10 AM

Originally Posted by JoshieDoom

Ill make a video when I get time to it. There is a LOT easier way to do it. No removing the cover and shield.

The two hinge bolts are all you need to take off... and I BROKE one of them.. and im still looking for one...

Would love to see it because I used the video as a guide.

**JoshieDoom** · 12-31-2008, 03:16 AM

The video shows the two hinge bolts. Take those out. Take off the 10mm nut holding the arm on. Frikin Cake.

**onetroubledguy** · 12-31-2008, 03:20 AM

I think the extra steps were taken because it was simply easier to get to. I will try that though.

**JoshieDoom** · 12-31-2008, 03:21 AM

If you have a swivel with the torx it seriously makes it a 10 minute headlight motor change.

**onetroubledguy** · 12-31-2008, 03:24 AM

I will probably pick up metal gears as well to solve the problem. I would also love to see your video. It would be quite helpful.

**JoshieDoom** · 12-31-2008, 03:26 AM

Rodney dickman makes a complete kit with a brace. I rebuilt mine and mine isnt the gears, its the actual 155k motor. Replaced one with new GM, second one is making a lot of racket as well

**onetroubledguy** · 12-31-2008, 03:33 AM

What do you mean the actual 155k motor? I'm just going to replace my current motors with brass gears.

Another question, I went to his website and although it says 93-02 firebird, the power connect is different for the 99-02 TA. So how does that work?

**JoshieDoom** · 12-31-2008, 03:38 AM

There is the gear and the motor assembly. Gear is the same. Motor/ Housing isnt.
The motors do go bad, just not often. and I have 155k miles on my car.

**onetroubledguy** · 12-31-2008, 03:42 AM

Right. My problem is I bought a motor for my passenger side that said it was apparently for "93 - 02" and noticed the power connecter was smaller, made for 93-97 TAs instead of 98-02 TAs. I was hoping I could make it sill work without sending it back.

Fuck it. I think I'm just going to replace both of them at the same time. My goal is to make this a show car and I want everything top notch eventually.

**JoshieDoom** · 12-31-2008, 03:47 AM

On egay they sell brand new GM motors for both sides in a kit. I got only one.. shoulda got two.

**Mecinoid** · 09-16-2016, 11:15 PM

I saw a video online. I figured out after a hour that pulling the hinge bolts out made it a lot easier. So, while they were out I greased them up really good with lithium grease and all the linkages. Works better than stock with Hardened Aluminium Gears. Did both sides. First side 1.5 hours. Second side 40 mins.