Is changing a Firebird headlight motor hard?

[Devilboy28]

My passanger side light takes forever to work. Sometimes I have to flip the lights on and off 15 times just to get it to go up or down. It dosen't make a noise so I'm guessing it's the motor and not the gear. Are the replacement motors expensive (CarQuest, Advance, Nappa, etc) and can I do the swap myself in my garage? I have a TON of tools and a floor jack. I'm at work right now so I can't call around until morning. THANKS!!

[99firebird99]

Hey man i had to change one on my 99 firebird and it wasnt that hard the only prob. is that if it doesnt fir good then u have to dick around with the bar that moves and that can be a *****
Good Luck!! [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

[slow]

not hard at all. read this site. http://www.bfranker.badz28.com/headlightfix/

I installed brass gears (the part that normally breaks is the crappy plastic gear) on my car in about 1 hour for both lights.

I have a passenger motor here, that i can sell you for $55 shipped, if you can't find one cheaper locally. The gear was stripped on one side, but when i put my brass gears in, i took the good plastic gear from my warranty replaced drivers side motor, and installed it in the passenger side spare motor, so it is good as new.

I installed the brass gear in my spare passenger side motor, to make the install go faster.

GM part number is 16524230 so you can search for prices online.

e-mail me if your interested in the motor.
Ryan

Ryan.

[slow]

the easiest way i found is use a 10mm gear wrench.

and for access, just remove the black plastic on the headlights, that allowed me enough room to replace both motors, without removing the painted covers, (i hate removing those, makes it hard to re align the lights later)

Ryan

[andrew.brandon]

I personally had a hard time with it. Took my dad and me over an hour to change one motor. But then again you have a newer car so maybe there is more space to work with.

[JohnC]

;)

[slow]

the 98+ are a little easier than the 93-97 style.

my first time, it took 2 hours for 1 light.

second time (2 days ago, when installing brass gears) 1 hour for both.

Ryan

[ February 05, 2004: Message edited by: slow ]</p>

[Devilboy28]

Hey thanks for everyone responding. Slow, I will let you know after I call around. THANKS!

[Devilboy28]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by slow:
not hard at all. read this site. http://www.bfranker.badz28.com/headlightfix/
I have a passenger motor here, that i can sell you for $55 shipped, if you can't find one cheaper locally. The gear was stripped on one side, but when i put my brass gears in, i took the good plastic gear from my warranty replaced drivers side motor, and installed it in the passenger side spare motor, so it is good as new.
I installed the brass gear in my spare passenger side motor, to make the install go faster.<hr></blockquote>

You have mail!

[slow]

replied.

sorry if i was confusing on the message.

I had 2 passenger side motors.

the spare one, i put a brass gear into, and put that into my car.

now i have the one i took out of my car. With a 10,000 mile like new, plastic gear (from my drivers side motor) in it.

Ryan

[Devilboy28]

Well, I got the motor out (pain in the *** ) and pried off the cover. It was FULL of dirt and sand!! I was like WTF?? The gear looks great with no sign of wear. I think the dirt is the problem. Maybe some crud was getting jammed in the spider gears or something. Dunno. Going to replace the motor.

[slow]

i don't know why some have the dirt/rust in them.

The one i bought used, did, and i cleaned it out, and put it in my car.

The one i have for sale, i took out of the car, and it was pefectly clean inside?

Ryan.