Wire clip for Headlight Bucket/stuck bucket

[milwaukeedan]

Folks:

I need your help on how to proceed -- 2 issues with my 71 -- I've been working on getting the headlights back in working order --

1. The ball socket that attaches to the control lever for the headlights by all accounts should also have a wire clip to hold it on -- otherwise, I suppose, it would bust loose under any tension. Where can I get one of these clips?

2. My headlights are now frozen in the open position. It is the passenger side bucket that is the culprit. When I took the switch assembly out, should I have liberally lubricated the mechanism that locks the bucket? I used some penetrating oil, but maybe I should have used a heavier bearing type grease. I did clean the contacts on the microswith and hooked a meter up and it read fine.

How do I get this baby released and should I take this apart and do some lubing on it? Or is there another issue. Both buckets are turning at the same time evenly (I adjusted that -- they were slightly off with the rods).

3. Does anyone make patch panels for the underside? I could do that myself, but if there is a fairly heavy guage product that is reasonable, I need to weld in about a 10 inch by 12 inch section under the gas and brake pedal.


Thanks for any tips you can throw my way...

Dan
71 GT

[namba209]

Dan, I just looked at my headlight mechanisms and the rod end at the mechanism is not a ball socket but a pin on the rotating sector that goes into a hole on the rod end. It appears a regular "C"-clip from an auto parts store may work. I did note on mine, a 72 GT, that I had wrapped some thin safety wire around the groove to keep it in place. That will be replaced before I re-install it in the car. The headlight mechanism has overcenter latches that hold the headlight buckets open and closed, it takes a fairly strong push/pull to get the mechanism to unlatch, penetrating oil is good for freeing up the latches but doesn't last too long because of evaporation. A good grease on all pivot points is recommended. Oops, I just noticed you said at the control lever, I'll have to wait until tomorrow to check mine out when it gets back from the paint shop. Sorry about the mistook. :o There are some members of the list that do have parts cars, it is possible one of them may have the sheetmetal you need for your car. HTH.

[milwaukeedan]

If anyone else has suggestions as well -- always appreciated. The floor sheetmetal is not a major concern -- I can weld in something fabricated. I was just wondering if there was an aftermarket pan available. I must say, this car has some unique engineering features and challenges especially when I compare it to the old Ford Econoline I own which is basically made like a tractor!

Dan

[namba209]

Dan, after doing a search, I found this link to the most information on repairing the headlight mechanisms you'll ever need. It is a very long thread, complete with pics and details on the total disassembly and repair of the whole mess. Give it a read, you'll find out more than you may need to know. My car should be back from the shop this afternoon and I'll check the ball socket and see what it takes, if anything. HTH.

http://www.opelgt.com/forums/showthr...adlight+repair

[greensmurf20]

i know what clip your talking about now. my cable always popped off the headlight lever too. theres 2 types of those clips, the throttle linkages use the same kind, maybe you can steal one off the throttle linkages to keep it on, as the throttle linkages really have a hard time popping off by themselves, until you can find a replacement, i may have one but i really woudlnt have a sure answer untili could go look.

[namba209]

O.K. here's a pic of the ball socket on my 72 GT, you can see the pin goes through the socket and clips around the socket by spring pressure. I remember a while back that a safety pin had worked as a temporary fix. Might be something to consider untill a permanent fix can be had.