Headlight making noise...bronze headlight gear $50!!!
#1
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Headlight making noise...bronze headlight gear $50!!!
http://www.madvet.com/shop?frame=2.249.5749
My driver-side headlight makes a lot of noise (for about 10 seconds) after it goes down. I assume this is because the nylon gear has deteriorated. Mid America sells a bronze gear upgrade, but it costs an unreal $50 (link above). It makes a lot more sense money-wise to go ahead and reinstall the cheaper nylon gear, but the quality-side of me want to upgrade to the bronze gear. How can this gear cost so much? Any advice?
My driver-side headlight makes a lot of noise (for about 10 seconds) after it goes down. I assume this is because the nylon gear has deteriorated. Mid America sells a bronze gear upgrade, but it costs an unreal $50 (link above). It makes a lot more sense money-wise to go ahead and reinstall the cheaper nylon gear, but the quality-side of me want to upgrade to the bronze gear. How can this gear cost so much? Any advice?
#2
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Because the bronze gear wont wear out like the nlyon will. If you get another nylon it will do the same thing over time. Be smart and get the bronze gear so you only have to do this once. Also I would go ahead and replace both of them with the bronze gear.
#3
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St. Jude Donor '11
$50 is way too much money for one little gear... Corvette tax... You have to figure out though.. if you want to change the nylon one out again... because it is not a matter of if, but when.
#4
Former Vendor
Thread Starter
I agree that it would be better to upgrade to the bronze gear, but $50 is just ridiculous for one gear. That means I am spending over $100 to upgrade both headlights before labor (my time and/or money). Has anyone seen an upgrade over nylon that isn't priced so ridiculous?
#6
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I agree that it would be better to upgrade to the bronze gear, but $50 is just ridiculous for one gear. That means I am spending over $100 to upgrade both headlights before labor (my time and/or money). Has anyone seen an upgrade over nylon that isn't priced so ridiculous?
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St. Jude Donor '11
Keep in mind that the following cars use the same Headlight gears.
GM Firebird 1993-2002
Corvette 1997-2004
Saturn SC Coupe 1991-1996
So you may be able to source some cheaper parts.
GM Firebird 1993-2002
Corvette 1997-2004
Saturn SC Coupe 1991-1996
So you may be able to source some cheaper parts.
#10
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#12
Le Mans Master
Rodney Dickman's gear kit (it's more than just a gear) cost $43 each. The reason they cost that much is the market target size. I personally think they're worth every penny. Call a Dealer for a price on this repair and you will agree. Plus the Dealer will replace the actuator assembly that includes the nylon sissy gear that will only strip again in time.
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St. Jude Donor '11
#14
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Rodney Dickman's gear kit (it's more than just a gear) cost $43 each. The reason they cost that much is the market target size. I personally think they're worth every penny. Call a Dealer for a price on this repair and you will agree. Plus the Dealer will replace the actuator assembly that includes the nylon sissy gear that will only strip again in time.
If you don't want to pay a "Corvette tax", buy a Civic.
#15
Stop complaining and buy the better gear. I did, it's a great product. I don't like doing a repair job twice.
If don't plan on keeping the car for several years, then buy the nylon knowing that the car is short term.
If don't plan on keeping the car for several years, then buy the nylon knowing that the car is short term.
#16
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I had one nylon gear fail and it was replaced under warranty. I have the heavier Euro headlight units so its just a question of time before they fail again. I have two brass gears waiting to be fitted.
Trust the advice on this one. These gears fail all the time. I'd say there's a post a week. The job is not easy and its a PITA to reseal the motor case. Rodneys kit comes with a bracket to do that. The brass gear is good quality and fixes the problem permanently. I think he does a discount for 2 kits if you order at the same time.
From what I hear, once you've struggled with the first motor its just as easy and quicker to do the 2nd. Thats my plan.
I'd say pay the extra $$$ and do the job properly first time.
Trust the advice on this one. These gears fail all the time. I'd say there's a post a week. The job is not easy and its a PITA to reseal the motor case. Rodneys kit comes with a bracket to do that. The brass gear is good quality and fixes the problem permanently. I think he does a discount for 2 kits if you order at the same time.
From what I hear, once you've struggled with the first motor its just as easy and quicker to do the 2nd. Thats my plan.
I'd say pay the extra $$$ and do the job properly first time.
#17
Le Mans Master
I had one nylon gear fail and it was replaced under warranty. I have the heavier Euro headlight units so its just a question of time before they fail again. I have two brass gears waiting to be fitted.
Trust the advice on this one. These gears fail all the time. I'd say there's a post a week. The job is not easy and its a PITA to reseal the motor case. Rodneys kit comes with a bracket to do that. The brass gear is good quality and fixes the problem permanently. I think he does a discount for 2 kits if you order at the same time.
From what I hear, once you've struggled with the first motor its just as easy and quicker to do the 2nd. Thats my plan.
I'd say pay the extra $$$ and do the job properly first time.
Trust the advice on this one. These gears fail all the time. I'd say there's a post a week. The job is not easy and its a PITA to reseal the motor case. Rodneys kit comes with a bracket to do that. The brass gear is good quality and fixes the problem permanently. I think he does a discount for 2 kits if you order at the same time.
From what I hear, once you've struggled with the first motor its just as easy and quicker to do the 2nd. Thats my plan.
I'd say pay the extra $$$ and do the job properly first time.
#18
Team Owner
I didn't want any problems in the future. So, I replaced my OE nylon gears with the Rodman's brass gears a couple of weeks ago. While the job isn't all that hard, a little patience goes a long way. As someone already said, $85 for the pair....Good insurance.
www.rodneydickman.com
www.rodneydickman.com
#19
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I'd spend the extra and get the brass gear - no sense having to do the repair again down the road.
#20
Instructor
To answer this question, the nylon gear is molded, GM's cost is probably $2.00.
The bronze gear is machined in much smaller quantities. High volume reduces cost. Machining is expensive.
Believe me, no one is getting rich off of this.