Not your normal headlight problem

**KillerCasey915** · 11-29-2011, 03:53 PM

Okay, so i did have the common problem of the headlight motor gears grinding. I got myself some new brass gears. After a few hours and some mild cursing I got them installed. Worked great for about 6 months before they started grinding again. Took me some time but i figured out that the swingarms weren't tightened down all the way which was making them catch on the motor bolts. Took the headlight assembly back apart, took the gears out of the motors to inspect them. Satisfied, i put the motors back together with some new epoxy(after cleaning the old stuff off of course). Well, here's where my problem shows it's ugly head. In the process of putting the assembly back together I misplaced one of the spacers(not sure what else to call them) that goes in between the assembly mount and the assembly bolt. The part where it actually attaches to the framework, not the motor. I didn't think much of it at the time but it's now causing the headlight cover to rub against my hood and the light won't raise with the hood closed now. As I'm sure y'all can imagine, it's real annoying having to pop the hood everytime i turn on my headlights.

So here's where I'm hoping y'all can give me a hand. Does anyone know where I might be able to get a new spacer/gasket/thingamajiger without having to purchase a brand new assembly. Also taking any ideas for fabricating a new one McGyver style.

It's the passenger side headlight by the way.

**024mula** · 11-29-2011, 04:55 PM

I'm not sure if you can buy a "spacer" at a local autoparts. But I would try the local junkyards or you could measure the length of the "spacer" on the driver's side and buy a "tension pin" at a hardware store which is the correct length or grind one down to the correct length.

**2002ssslp** · 11-29-2011, 05:19 PM

Should have bought a Camaro SS. lol

**pajeff02** · 11-29-2011, 06:19 PM

Knock on wood, but we haven't had any problems with our headlights... yet. Not sure what "spacer" you are referring to, but you can try Trans Am Creations for used parts if you can't find a substitute.

**raytx1** · 11-30-2011, 07:17 AM

I just bought a 99 trans am, and its doing the same thing. I raised the hood stoppers a little bit and it fixed my problem, but it was only temporary. One week later it started getting stuck on the hood again.

**2tuff4u** · 11-30-2011, 07:31 AM

I had that issue with my 01. I found out that the swing arm was stopping on the motor bolt. I just flipped the bolt around. Then adjusted the headlight cover itself, and that fixed it for a while. Until the swing arm broke the tab on the sub frame that it rest on. Then I flipped out, and traded it in. LOL!

**JRB 9966** · 11-30-2011, 09:23 PM

Originally Posted by 2002ssslp

Should have bought a Camaro SS. lol

True!

But you know what? I just destroyed both of the headlight assemblies on my WS6 hitting a deer and one of the first things I thought was, "If I had bought a Camaro that sucker would have come right through my windshield!"

They're kind of like pop up cow catchers.

On topic: I had to have both of my headlight motors replaced under warranty many years ago. The replacements never gave me any trouble.

**matt evans** · 12-01-2011, 12:24 AM

call hawks third gen if anyone will have it it will be them

**Edward-T** · 12-01-2011, 04:41 AM

+1^ on Hawks, they are pricey but they have the inventory!

**KillerCasey915** · 12-06-2011, 12:36 PM

Thanks for the input.

Tried Trans Am Creations. No luck. I'll take a look at Hawks.

**KillerCasey915** · 12-06-2011, 12:57 PM

No Luck with Hawks either. Did find some other stuff I've been looking for there though. I appreciate the help anyway y'all.

**fbodyNATION** · 12-07-2011, 12:57 AM

Originally Posted by raytx1

I just bought a 99 trans am, and its doing the same thing. I raised the hood stoppers a little bit and it fixed my problem, but it was only temporary. One week later it started getting stuck on the hood again.

I had the same prob with my 99 WS6 it was embarrasing popping the hood everytime to get the passenger side light to go up,bad thing about it,the light didnt act up until after the car got painted
LoL!