Headlight motor disassembly

[Timothy B.]

I am rebuilding my headlight motors, using some info from folks that have posted on the web, and ran into something different about both of my motors that I thought I would ask about. The parts books show several small washers in the gearbox assembly, including a black conical beveled spring washer that mounts next to the large metal gear - the same gear that often fails. In both of my units, the beveled spring washer is missing. Since it is that way in both I wonder if that washer is always used? As far as I know these are original motors. The date of my motors is Jan 67. There appears to be slop in the mechanism that leads me to believe that the washer should be there, so I am inclined to purchase and add them. Anyone else run across this?

[Bill Jackson]

Re: Headlight motor disassembly

I have had several apart and have never seen one missing. The washer can blend in quite well if it is full of old grease. Be sure to dig around well to be sure it is not stuck to the gear and hidden by old grease.

[Timothy B.]

Re: Headlight motor disassembly

Yep, I thought about that too and looked very closely. They simply aren't there. I figure someone before we had the car (before '75) must have been in there and left them out!

[Tom D.]

Re: Headlight motor washer, thrust

I have always found the washer you are missing. I have (in one motor) found extra flat washers in place to "take up the slack".

Tom D.
4889