Help me repair my headlight motors...

[Need4Camaro]

As soon as I got my Warranty Driverside motor replacement, the passenger side stripped its gear...I'm still waiting on ONE metal gear from Brent Franker but it wont be till next week till I get it due to the holidays. Since I have time to contemplate... I need a strategy to do this as this will be my THIRD time replacing these things. The previous attempt was with brand new motors and even with the metal gears NEITHER of them lasted even 2 months...

I noticed one thing about the periods of which they failed though...

It was cold, and I mean bone chilling cold.

When I replaced the plastic nylon gears with the metal ones, I didn't have access to any additional grease so I just used the same amount of grease that came in the housing...

This was the same period of which my car was knocking and tapping at startups of which stopped after I changed back to Mobil 1 Synthetic...

Do you believe that this might be a grease/lubicration error? That basically it was cold enough to stiffen the lube to a point of ineffectiveness against the friction the gears would experience? Any other hints / tips you could give that can keep me from stipping my gears? I have to order a new gear now.

I was highly contemplating on ordering the brass gear from Rodney ****man as the gear looked lighter and easier to turn. Is this a good idea?

[2.8 Bird]

Re: Help me repair my headlight motors...

Don't order the brass gear. 1st The price on that thing has gone up due to the value of brass itself. 2nd Brass gear do tend to strip just like the nylon one. But they do last a little longer. 3rd And probably the most important one, brass gear can damage your motor. At least with the plastic one the gear will go first before the motor.

I think the company you are planning on ordering it from comes with the lubricate and glue. If not then go to a couple auto parts store and ask them for high quality lub. meant for gears.

[Need4Camaro]

Re: Help me repair my headlight motors...

Don't order the brass gear. 1st The price on that thing has gone up due to the value of brass itself. 2nd Brass gear do tend to strip just like the nylon one. But they do last a little longer. 3rd And probably the most important one, brass gear can damage your motor. At least with the plastic one the gear will go first before the motor.

I think the company you are planning on ordering it from comes with the lubricate and glue. If not then go to a couple auto parts store and ask them for high quality lub. meant for gears.

So should I choose Aluminum or Nylon?

[Everglades W68]

Re: Help me repair my headlight motors...

You'll do fine with either Rodney D i c k man or Brent Franker. I bought from Rodney and replaced the gear along with the motor (the housing on my old motor was broken also).

I've always wondered about Rodney's name - is it for real ? Classic porn name.

[Need4Camaro]

Re: Help me repair my headlight motors...

You'll do fine with either Rodney D i c k man or Brent Franker. I bought from Rodney and replaced the gear along with the motor (the housing on my old motor was broken also).

I've always wondered about Rodney's name - is it for real ? Classic porn name.

We drive the exact same cars...

same color, W68 package too

Im guessing clothe interior?

Anyway yeah ... I replaced the D.S. motor, am contemplating on the passengerside since I can still get it under warranty but it will be a headache...

[Need4Camaro]

Re: Help me repair my headlight motors...

Should I also replace the Passenger Side Headlight motor under warranty? or just get a new gear for it and better lube?

[Need4Camaro]

Re: Help me repair my headlight motors...

Another thing I noticed - I attempted to crank my car while both headlight motors were making that awful grinding sound, and my car wouldn't crank - it attempted but it didnt have enough juice.. are the headlight motors supposed to draw THAT much power?

[2.8 Bird]

Re: Help me repair my headlight motors...

Another thing I noticed - I attempted to crank my car while both headlight motors were making that awful grinding sound, and my car wouldn't crank - it attempted but it didnt have enough juice.. are the headlight motors supposed to draw THAT much power?

Usually when the gears are stripped and the Headlight motor is not properly torquing down when you turn on your car it will make that grinding sound. It will usually try to raise up partially and then it will slam down and make that grinding sound. The motor that's making that sound is the one that's damage.

If you have the warranty then get that and keep the other one as extra.

[Need4Camaro]

Re: Help me repair my headlight motors...

What would happen if I used this gear lube? The reason I asked is because it DOES get pretty cold where I am and the car is always sitting outside and I am beggining to believe the failures were related to the lube not functioning properly under the cold temperatures when the motors were operated thus causing the lube to become jelly or stiff and the gears to suffer more friction than normal, stripping them...

http://www.schaefferoil.com/full-synthetic-lube.html

I was wondering if such lube would be recommended or what lube you would recommend for colder operation?

[1997Canadian3.8]

Re: Help me repair my headlight motors...

I can vouch for Brent Franker. Great guy and really helpful.