Hidden headlight motor rebuild 1970

[MONC440]

My headlight motor on my 70 would barely turn so I figured I would take it apart and see if I can get the bushings freed up. It is a pretty simple design but one thing I’m struggling with is how to get the manual knob off, see picture below. Anyone know how to remove that thing?

Thanks

 

[Big_John]

Pulls off. It's on a spline.

 

[CBODY67]

No little hidden set screw on one side?

Just curious,
CBODY67

 

[MONC440]

No little hidden set screw on one side?

Just curious,
CBODY67

Thats what I was wondering but could not see anything.

 

[MONC440]

Pulls off. It's on a spline.

Have you just pulled them off? I pulled on it till I thought I was going to damage it and it didn't come off. If you are sure I will give it some more pressure.

One more thing, are these systems supposed to have the coil assist springs on the ends? I know I can just look it up in the parts book but if you guys know off hand that would be great.
Update: I just looked in the parts book and yes it is supposed to have springs, mine are missing, anyone know who has them? Also I assume the spring is to assist during opening? Thanks

 

[MONC440]

I found a pair of springs listed on feebay for 71 72 73 74 Charger Polara Fury Imperial for $80. Anyone know if they are the same for 70? The parts book picture shows a 1970 image and it says 70-71 so I think they should be the same?

 

[Big_John]

Have you just pulled them off? I pulled on it till I thought I was going to damage it and it didn't come off. If you are sure I will give it some more pressure.

One more thing, are these systems supposed to have the coil assist springs on the ends? I know I can just look it up in the parts book but if you guys know off hand that would be great.
Update: I just looked in the parts book and yes it is supposed to have springs, mine are missing, anyone know who has them? Also I assume the spring is to assist during opening? Thanks

View attachment 668209

I'll take a pic of my '70 300 when I wander back out the shop after lunch.

The spring doesn't assist, its there as a safety so the doors aren't solidly connected to the bar. Let's say you have a build up of ice around the headlights and the doors won't close all the way. The springs let the doors not close all the way. (BTW, this happened to us with my Dad's '68 300 after driving in an ice storm).

 

[Big_John]

Have you just pulled them off?

Yes. Just use a couple screwdrivers to "walk" it off the shaft. Some good penetrating oil may help.

Here's a couple pics I got off eBay.

 

[MONC440]

Yes. Just use a couple screwdrivers to "walk" it off the shaft. Some good penetrating oil may help.

Here's a couple pics I got off eBay.

View attachment 668210
View attachment 668211

Thanks I will give it a try.

 

[Big_John]

I got distracted and didn't get a chance to take that pic of the spring. I'll get it tomorrow.

 

[Big_John]

Sorry for the delay.

I was incorrect about what the function of the spring is. It does help the doors stay closed. The spring action I mentioned in my above post is done in the square drive rod.

 

[MONC440]

@Big_John

So I got the motor apart cleaned and working I noticed the armature moves back and forth about a 1/4 inch. I didn't think this was normal then when I intalled it it works but binds up so I think the end play is causing this. Is the end of the gear supposed to have something on it to take up the end play? Maybe I lost a part and didn't realize it? The pictures below show how much it moves.

 

[Big_John]

@Big_John

So I got the motor apart cleaned and working I noticed the armature moves back and forth about a 1/4 inch. I didn't think this was normal then when I intalled it it works but binds up so I think the end play is causing this. Is the end of the gear supposed to have something on it to take up the end play? Maybe I lost a part and didn't realize it? The pictures below show how much it moves.

View attachment 678495

View attachment 678496

View attachment 678497

It's been years since I had one apart, so I can't tell you what should be there.

I think it should have a trust washer on the end. This pic is from a power window motor. @vdk2010 has had one apart and he documents everything, so he might have a good pic of the headlight motor.

 

[Big_John]

Thinking about it more... Let me go out in the garage in a bit and see if my motor has that much end play in it.

 

[vdk2010]

There were no spacers or anything like that like in John's picture on my motor. Still, there are a few pieces that could be missing in your motor.

On the gear side is a small friction plate in front of the adjustment screw, that could be missing. (Is the adjustment screw position unchanged from before?)
Also, there should be a thrust bearing on the other end, maybe that's missing?

Thinking about it more... Let me go out in the garage in a bit and see if my motor has that much end play in it.

I think there should be very little endplay.

 

[3175375]

Curiosity has me following…

 

[Big_John]

I checked this earlier and promptly forgot to post... It's tough getting old.

Anyway... It looks like about .050-.060" endplay by my eyeball measuring.

 

[3175375]

I checked this earlier and promptly forgot to post... It's tough getting old.

Anyway... It looks like about .050-.060" endplay by my eyeball measuring.

Eyeball mk1, mod ? lol

 

[Big_John]

Eyeball mk1, mod ? lol

I'm out of practice but .050-.060 is still probably pretty accurate.

Six eye surgeries and four laser procedures... Cataracts at 32 years old and torn retinas in both eyes... 20/20 with a slight correction. I can't tell maroon from brown and I'm not supposed to lift anything heavy, but I can live that.