0Navy Blue

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?

02MillenniumVette

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.

max'svette

$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.

0Navy Blue

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?

02MillenniumVette

The nylon gear is $21.95. You know the old saying "It only costs a nickle more to go first class".

02MillenniumVette

I had my dad help me change both of mine and it took about 45 min. for each headlight, that included the cure time for the epoxy. You have to do the same steps no matter what gear you put in. Its your car so do whatever you want.

max'svette

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.

M6 Vetter

Go with the bronze gear. JMHO

Tigershark3

I went with the metal gear on both sides but if you really want to get by cheap take the unit apart and turn the gear 180 degrees and use the other side. Not for me but cost is $0.

cortex

I did this 4+ years ago and still going strong.

Mike Mercury

then why don't you put your money into producing one that could sell for a lot less. I'm certain you would have no problem selling them.

Ol'55

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.

max'svette

Because I have better ways to make money than producing brass gears. But at these prices I may need a career change .

oxrageous

I purchased two of these kits for about $85. It took about 90 minutes to do both headlights, and it is a PERMANENT fix. I find it odd you can own a Corvette and then flip out over 50 bucks, but I see it happen all the time on here.

If you don't want to pay a "Corvette tax", buy a Civic.

caster

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.

DeeGee

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.

Choreo

Exact same story here. Both my stock headlights failed and had nylon gears replaced under warranty. I also now have the heavier metal Euro headlights so I purchased Rodney's gear kits last month in anticipation of the inevitable.

leadfoot4

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

Vetteman Jack

I'd spend the extra and get the brass gear - no sense having to do the repair again down the road.

1stvette@60

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.