So I unhooked the headlight wires and removed the headlight, took out 3 bolts and 1 nut, and here is where I sit:



I am stuck on getting the arm off of the headlight casing.

Here is the best picture I can get of it:



I would like to get as much arm off as I can, since I will be painting it all. Any help on how to unattach this?

 

I think you might be trying to take it apart at the wrong place. See my picture. That whole link with the round white bushings can be easily popped off of there with a flathead screwdriver. Yours looks pretty rusty, so you might want to shoot it with some WD40 first.

 

Yep lubricate well and pry off GENTLY to try to avoid breaking the white plastic grommet (which is nearly impossible). Your connection looks kind of weird, almost like the white plastic grommet has been replaced with some kind of metal.

 

Yep, it just pops off. Prying gently straight out from the bracket is usually best, and put a rag on the other side so you don't let it flip around and smack into anything.

Sorry to have to disagree with Ham's picture, but you need to disconnect the smaller rod to remove the motor assembly from the car, not the large one. Both ends of the large rod are part of the motor assembly, so disconnecting it won't help

 

The 2nd picture is of under the headlight. That is the last link . I am trying to get as many of the arms out of the car so I can paint them. I wouldn't want to paint just the motor and reattach the rusty arms

 

You can unclip the small arm at the headlight end, and that way everything comes out. It's easier to undo the headlight end after you get the motor assembly out, though; better angle. The rod is the same at both ends, so the same technique works to undo it.


Looks like this when it's off (& cleaned):

 

You might want to just replace your arms if they're rusty, because I bet the plastic bushings are old and brittle. Black Dragon Auto sells replacements, and now is probably the best time to do it, if you're pulling the lights/motors out. They're not cheap, but considering you'll likely never have to replace them again and they'll look nice brand new, it might be worth it.

http://www.blackdragonauto.com/icata...l.aspx?Page=82

 

Can't you just take the nut off the motor side and the nut/bolt off the bottom pivot?

 

Well, I got the headlight rod thing off. I followed what Ham drew and lubed it up as per Ray

It came off fairly easily. One rod was left on the headlight mount, so I cleaned it the best I could and left it there. I scrubbed the crap out of the motor (literally and figuratively) for a good 30 minutes and Brass wheeled where I could fit it. My wheel is looking past its age, I seem to have all the bristles on one side disappearing. Anyways, here are some pictures. I forgot to take a picture of it cleaned up, but that is ok since it was bright and shiny in some places and still bronze-ish in others.

Headlight motor off:



Gettin her painted:



This is the last rod that wouldn't want to come out. Hard to see, but it is there:



Around the headlight motor is a Bronze clamp that holds up the wiring and whatnot. I took it off and ran the wheel down it, and returned it to that nice semi-polished silver look. It should give me some good contrast when I put it back on.

Now I know I am picking at nits here, but the rubber pieces are not "as new" black. I remember someone using some black sort of automotive dye they put on their bumper strips around the car and it looked brand new! I assume this would work on the motor boot (over the **** on the top) and on the wiring connection holder? Wouldn't want it to be pretty and black and then have the faded grey covers on them. Do you guys think this would work? Bonus points if I can find one that works on interiors.

 

And PS the painted picture, it is not done getting painted yet.

 

Stu your inspiring me again. Damn you and Ray.

 

Haha, I am glad to be of some help. You are still a step ahead of me with your BD Headlight harness. Now would be a great time to install one!


I will have the bolts and nut brass wheeled and clear to give contrast to the black.

 

Truly inspirational, you'll be brass brushing your lug nuts next.

Time to replace the old well worn stainless wheel on my bench grinder with a nice new brass one and get to work.

"Back to Black" or just good old petroleum jelly works well to brighten the black rubber parts, but temporary, weeks to months depending on the location (the PJ lasts longer).

 

Did the PJ trick. Turns out my boots are in great shape... for having MORE OVERSPRAY on it! I swear, the person who painted this car silver couldn't paint a barn red. There is overspray everywhere!

Anyways, here is a picture of one that has been done.



And the motor is done for the most part. It sort of bubbled up in the middle, going to have to sand it down a little after it dries today. Thought I would throw on the silver band as well

 

Looking grand, Stu!

You might want to take a little paint thinner to the headlight rod pivot *****; paint on there will just end up flaking off and gumming up the bushings, eventually.

Paint stripper or brake cleaner will get the overspray off your rubber parts real well, just be sure to rinse them with water right after. I usually soak mine in food-grade silicone (scuba diver supplies!) overnight after cleaning them, to get them supple and shiny.