Headlight rods just spinning on my 97 Tahoe

[doncaruana]

So my low beam burned out and I went to pull the headlight assembly. I started working on the two 5mm rods that stick up and...they just spin. One spins loosely, the other turns but is still tight.

When I first started, both had to do a little 'pop' to start. So I'm guessing the nut they drive into way down there is broken.

Meaning I have to pull the whole grille likely at this point to change the bulb, right?

But if those rods are stuck, will I be able to get the lights off with the grille out? And, more importantly, will I be able to put the lights back in, after I replace the bulb? I wont be able to use the rods again, but would it still hold? Or should I buy a new headlight assembly and pop it in there?

 

[east302]

Maybe try pulling up and loosening to see if you can get them started unscrewing again.

Try removing the lower marker lamps, maybe you can get a view of what’s going on with the bracket.

I pulled the grille on mine not long ago, and I’m fairly sure that I left the headlights in. Here’s a how-to video. They removed the headlights, but I really don’t remember having to do that. I could be wrong, but it’s worth a shot.

New headlights come with new brackets and rods. Aftermarket headlight quality is, generally, crap so if you can salvage your GM versions (or buy new GM ones) then I’d do that.

Edit: you’re turning these two rods (right?) and not the torx screws, those are for headlight alignment and are down in the access holes.


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[doncaruana]

Yes those are the ones I was trying...saw all the videos

Given the cost of oem on this ($90 per side) hard to justify going that route to be honest since it will really look silly if I only replace one side. I haven't even tried to get the driver side loose yet.

Im gonna pull the grill this weekend and see what's up and go from there.

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[doncaruana]

Got some Dorman lights...hate'em. Seem to sit way too high and barely got grille back on. Pointed so high out of the box looks like a spotlight for a sale.

Now that I've taken the grille off...I'm thinking about just going back to the original lights (damn the hazy lenses) and replace the bulbs.

 

[east302]

It sounds like they need to be adjusted back down.

The original lenses can be wet sanded to get some of the yellowing out. YouTube has some videos I think.


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[Doubeleive]

you just need to turn those two adjusters, best to do it at night against a wall or garage door, one adjuster moves them up and down the other moves them left/right

 

[doncaruana]

I hadn't tried adjusting them yet because they mounted so high the grille didn't sit as nice and I had to struggle with the grille to get it to line up.

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[doncaruana]

Just to further clarify, the actual lens ends up between an eighth and a quarter inch higher with respect to the actual mount than the original light. That makes a big difference on a 20 year old grille.

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[doncaruana]

Looked at the Dorman again and it sits fine. Just way the heck out of adjustment, which I just took care of. Not enamored with it, but I have a light. Actually I have my OEM on the left and Dorman on the right. Amazon screwed up and sent my 2 passenger side instead of one of each. But at least they're clear.

Any recommendations on better lights that won't break the bank?

 

[east302]

I’d guess that there are some aftermarket ones that may work better (HID or something) but the stock ones are kind of marginal when compared to modern vehicles, or even the subsequent generation trucks.


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