1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

79-85 Headlight actuator arm bushing replacement!!!

Old 03-01-15, 04:06 PM
  #1  
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
 
kutukutu1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Southfield, MI
Posts: 1,296
Received 59 Likes on 38 Posts
WI 79-85 Headlight actuator arm bushing replacement!!!

Hello everyone,

I would like to let you all know of replacement bushings for the headlight actuator arms.
I made a set for my 1st gen and they work like a charm. Direct replacement and very inexpensive. I would like to get it out in the forum for every 1st gen owner to have a set and replace theirs. No more listening to the headlights clanking when you lower them.
These bushings are 3D printed which is why they are an inexpensive.
I have posted them up on ebay, please search 79-85 1st gen RX7 headlight bushings + 2 spares. The forum rules dont allow me to post a link.
Take a look at the posting and if you want to give them a try you wont regret it.
Let me know if any questions arise.

Thank you.
Attached Thumbnails 79-85 Headlight actuator arm bushing replacement!!!-bushings-all.jpg   79-85 Headlight actuator arm bushing replacement!!!-bushing1.jpg   79-85 Headlight actuator arm bushing replacement!!!-bushing2.jpg   79-85 Headlight actuator arm bushing replacement!!!-bushingonarms1.jpg   79-85 Headlight actuator arm bushing replacement!!!-bushingonarms2.jpg  

The following 3 users liked this post by kutukutu1:
Frogman (12-02-21), LEGALIZECHEY (10-26-20), Luaa (05-31-20)
Old 03-03-15, 09:46 AM
  #2  
RX HVN

iTrader: (2)
 
7aull's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Arizona
Posts: 3,889
Received 227 Likes on 167 Posts
That is pretty sweet! Thanks for taking the time to design - and SHARE!

Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska
Old 03-03-15, 11:24 AM
  #3  
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
 
kutukutu1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Southfield, MI
Posts: 1,296
Received 59 Likes on 38 Posts
Thank you very much. I am working on the windshield wiper mechanism ones as well. These work for the wipers, but don't provide protection to the elements. I am working on ones that do provide this feature. They should be up sometime this month. I appreciate the support.
Old 03-03-15, 11:50 PM
  #4  
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
 
kutukutu1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Southfield, MI
Posts: 1,296
Received 59 Likes on 38 Posts
WI Installed photos

These are installed photos.
Attached Thumbnails 79-85 Headlight actuator arm bushing replacement!!!-939.jpg   79-85 Headlight actuator arm bushing replacement!!!-img_0946.jpg   79-85 Headlight actuator arm bushing replacement!!!-940.jpg   79-85 Headlight actuator arm bushing replacement!!!-img_0948.jpg   79-85 Headlight actuator arm bushing replacement!!!-941.jpg  

Old 03-04-15, 04:25 PM
  #5  
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
 
kutukutu1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Southfield, MI
Posts: 1,296
Received 59 Likes on 38 Posts
Those of you that have already bought a set, thank you very much.
Old 03-04-15, 05:22 PM
  #6  
Censored

iTrader: (14)
 
ray green's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Georgia
Posts: 11,368
Received 176 Likes on 137 Posts
These look really good kuku, but I need to know, are they as good as the originals?

The originals were made of some kind of teflon plastic, which gave then great frictional properties and endurance, most are still functional after 30 years.

Would you be willing to submit a set for a quality test?

Thanks
Ray
Old 03-04-15, 08:59 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Cameron38's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 542
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I just ordered a set. Even if they don't last as long as the real thing, how can you go wrong for $15?
Old 03-05-15, 07:27 AM
  #8  
Censored

iTrader: (14)
 
ray green's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Georgia
Posts: 11,368
Received 176 Likes on 137 Posts
The price is right for sure, but it would be nice to have some sense of their quality. Let us know!
Old 03-05-15, 07:48 AM
  #9  
Waffles - hmmm good

iTrader: (1)
 
t_g_farrell's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Lake Wylie, N.C.
Posts: 8,783
Received 282 Likes on 232 Posts
Nice work! Can you give us a sense of the plastic that is used in the 3d printer? Like Ray
mentioned, the originals are nylon of some kind and very tough and these look good but can
the plastic hold up to dirt, water, grease and heat extremes?

I've never replaced mine yet but these would certainly work in a pinch. Its worth having them
for emergency fixes at least.
Old 03-05-15, 01:33 PM
  #10  
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
 
kutukutu1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Southfield, MI
Posts: 1,296
Received 59 Likes on 38 Posts
Ray, you make a very good point. These are currently pla. I am working on improving them further and making them from abs for higher heat resistance. The pla ones can take up to 60 Celsius before they begin to deform. Abs can take up to 105 Celsius with lower friction coefficient. With my instructions I do mention that lithium grease should be used on the ball joint to reduce the friction. I am also working on a rig to do reliability testing on the bushings.
There are other 3d printable materials but usually the more slippery they are the lower the glass transition temp is. A compromise needs to be reached between the desired properties.
I will keep everyone updated as I get reliability testing going.

Thank you all for the support and great response.
The following users liked this post:
LEGALIZECHEY (10-26-20)
Old 03-05-15, 01:46 PM
  #11  
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
 
kutukutu1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Southfield, MI
Posts: 1,296
Received 59 Likes on 38 Posts
Originally Posted by t_g_farrell
Nice work! Can you give us a sense of the plastic that is used in the 3d printer? Like Ray mentioned, the originals are nylon of some kind and very tough and these look good but can the plastic hold up to dirt, water, grease and heat extremes? I've never replaced mine yet but these would certainly work in a pinch. Its worth having them for emergency fixes at least.
As mentioned to Ray a compromise between the properties is needed. Abs has lower friction properties but pla has a higher chemical resistance since is organic biodegradable material unlike abs which is oil derived. In terms of holding up to dirt as the reliability testing comes to fruition some redesigns will happen to avoid dirt from getting in between the ball joint and bushing. I agree that the originals are very robust and it would be difficult to match the reliability of the original with 3d printing with the current filament in the market.
Old 03-05-15, 11:24 PM
  #12  
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
 
kutukutu1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Southfield, MI
Posts: 1,296
Received 59 Likes on 38 Posts
Update: I have found a material that might be a suitable candidate.
PET+ Filament Opaque | MadeSolid

I will be working with it to get it fine tuned, consistent prints and will update everyone as i progress.

All of you that have bought a set, feedback is appreciated. if you see an area to improve feel free to inform me and i will work it into improvements. thank you all.
Old 03-06-15, 04:42 AM
  #13  
Censored

iTrader: (14)
 
ray green's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Georgia
Posts: 11,368
Received 176 Likes on 137 Posts
Nice work kuku!
Old 03-15-15, 11:53 PM
  #14  
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
 
kutukutu1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Southfield, MI
Posts: 1,296
Received 59 Likes on 38 Posts
Hello again.
I have received the new material and its great. Its alot more robust and strong, the tabs are stronger and it gives more precise dimensions when printing. I have posted a video bushings installed and the set up were i tested them numerous time very successfully.
I am also working on the windshield wiper ones, which i have to test, but will be coming soon. Picture attached as a sneak peek.

Thank you all for the great support.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v...type=3&theater

P.S the headlight motor looks sluggish going up because i was using a small 1amp power supply.
Attached Thumbnails 79-85 Headlight actuator arm bushing replacement!!!-img_0971.jpg   79-85 Headlight actuator arm bushing replacement!!!-img_0973.jpg   79-85 Headlight actuator arm bushing replacement!!!-img_0974.jpg   79-85 Headlight actuator arm bushing replacement!!!-img_0976.jpg  
Old 03-26-15, 07:01 AM
  #15  
Hello World

iTrader: (1)
 
jbherri2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 327
Received 11 Likes on 5 Posts
This is very cool.
Old 03-26-15, 11:19 AM
  #16  
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
 
kutukutu1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Southfield, MI
Posts: 1,296
Received 59 Likes on 38 Posts
Thank you.
This is the thread for the wiper mechanism bushings if you would like to check them out.

https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-specific-1979-1985-18/windshield-wiper-bushings-replacement-1080807/


Thanks
Old 04-15-15, 05:10 PM
  #17  
Dynamic Mobility Analyst

 
finneybl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Midland Mi
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
i could really use a set of these, i searched Ebay but they do not appear to be listed anymore. Are they still available?
Old 04-15-15, 10:45 PM
  #18  
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
 
kutukutu1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Southfield, MI
Posts: 1,296
Received 59 Likes on 38 Posts
Originally Posted by finneybl
i could really use a set of these, i searched Ebay but they do not appear to be listed anymore. Are they still available?

I am sorry, the listing just ended. I am going on travel until monday and did not want to restart the post before i got back. Please, search again on monday and the post will be back up.

Again, thank you all for the great support.
Old 04-19-15, 07:22 PM
  #19  
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
 
kutukutu1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Southfield, MI
Posts: 1,296
Received 59 Likes on 38 Posts
Originally Posted by finneybl
i could really use a set of these, i searched Ebay but they do not appear to be listed anymore. Are they still available?
Finneybl, the bushings are back up online.
Please look them up again.

Thanks.
Old 04-19-15, 10:09 PM
  #20  
Zoom ZooBBRRAAAPPP!!!

iTrader: (3)
 
NV02's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Lake Tahoe
Posts: 97
Received 8 Likes on 7 Posts
Just ordered. Thanks!
Old 04-20-15, 06:49 PM
  #21  
Dynamic Mobility Analyst

 
finneybl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Midland Mi
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
ordered! Thanks
Old 04-21-15, 12:33 PM
  #22  
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
 
kutukutu1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Southfield, MI
Posts: 1,296
Received 59 Likes on 38 Posts
Thank you all for the support and great response.
NV02 and Finney, your order is going out today.
Thanks again.
Old 07-03-15, 12:31 PM
  #23  
Full Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Boss Man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Dayton, Ohio
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Are you still making these? I can't find them on eBay.
Old 07-09-15, 11:13 AM
  #24  
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
 
kutukutu1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Southfield, MI
Posts: 1,296
Received 59 Likes on 38 Posts
Originally Posted by Boss Man
Are you still making these? I can't find them on eBay.
Yes i am. I had to take them off for a bit due to some software issues i was having with the printer. They are back up on ebay.
Thanks.
Old 07-19-15, 02:59 PM
  #25  
1st Gens are the Best

iTrader: (2)
 
andernamen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Virginia Beach
Posts: 560
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Any bushings for the wiper arms?

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: 79-85 Headlight actuator arm bushing replacement!!!



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:37 PM.