Twisted Right Side Headlight Inner Pivot Shaft

[Floyd Dossey]

Hi All, I am rebuilding the headlight assy on my 65, I found the original brass & steel bearings frozen solid to the inner and outer pivot shafts. I noticed that on the inner pivot, where it enters the electric motor gear drive ( the flat end ) has a twist in it. It should be straight and flat shouldn't it? Can it be straightned? Also has anyone replaced the original brass & steel bearings with the nylon bearings? If so, do they work better that the originals? Thanks in advance Floyd 65 Fuelie

[Gene M.]

Re: Twisted Right Side Headlight Inner Pivot Shaft

FLOYD,

The twisted shaft may be able to be straightened if the twist is only in the flated area. If the round portion is twisted I'm afraid it's trash. The shaft is steel and the mount is die cast aluminum with only the surface bond holding them together. Be carefull not to twist on the aluminum. As for the balls both types work ok as long as the shaft is in good shape. Many times this shaft becomes corroded thus locking up the original oil-lite in the ball to the shaft. Polish and replate the shaft for free operation and it should not matter if you use nylon or original oil-lite bearing balls. All personal preference.

[Gene M.]

Re: Twisted Right Side Headlight Inner Pivot Shaft

FLOYD,

The twisted shaft may be able to be straightened if the twist is only in the flated area. If the round portion is twisted I'm afraid it's trash. The shaft is steel and the mount is die cast aluminum with only the surface bond holding them together. Be carefull not to twist on the aluminum. As for the balls both types work ok as long as the shaft is in good shape. Many times this shaft becomes corroded thus locking up the original oil-lite in the ball to the shaft. Polish and replate the shaft for free operation and it should not matter if you use nylon or original oil-lite bearing balls. All personal preference.

[Floyd Dossey]

Re: Twisted Right Side Headlight Inner Pivot Shaft

Thanks Gene for the information, the flat is the only surface that has the twist,if I used a propane torch would that get hot enough to try to straighten it, rather than putting it in a vise and trying to bend it that way? The rest of the shaft is in pretty good shape. Thanks again Floyd 65 Fuelie

[Floyd Dossey]

Re: Twisted Right Side Headlight Inner Pivot Shaft

Thanks Gene for the information, the flat is the only surface that has the twist,if I used a propane torch would that get hot enough to try to straighten it, rather than putting it in a vise and trying to bend it that way? The rest of the shaft is in pretty good shape. Thanks again Floyd 65 Fuelie

[curt worden]

Re: Twisted Right Side Headlight Inner Pivot Shaft

A twisted flat spot on the pivot shaft has no effect on the function of headlight bucket rotation. Think about how the motor accepts the pivot shaft. Bucket travel is controlled with the Y-stop, not motor travel. You don`t *have* to straighten it.

[curt worden]

Re: Twisted Right Side Headlight Inner Pivot Shaft

A twisted flat spot on the pivot shaft has no effect on the function of headlight bucket rotation. Think about how the motor accepts the pivot shaft. Bucket travel is controlled with the Y-stop, not motor travel. You don`t *have* to straighten it.

[Wayne M.]

[Wayne M.]

[Floyd Dossey]

Re: Twisted Right Side Headlight Inner Pivot Shaft

Gene, Curt and Wayne, As usual the members always come through with great information Thanks for your input, I really appreciate what you had to say. Regards Floyd

[Floyd Dossey]

Re: Twisted Right Side Headlight Inner Pivot Shaft

Gene, Curt and Wayne, As usual the members always come through with great information Thanks for your input, I really appreciate what you had to say. Regards Floyd