General Maintenance & Repairs Leaks | Squeaks | Clunks | Rattles | Grinds
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

Headlight motor grease

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 25, 2019 | 11:40 AM
  #1  
Elthesh's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 238
Likes: 1
From: Fort Lauderdale
Default Headlight motor grease

I'm picking up one of the newer style motors with the screws that hold the motor cover on. This way if and when the gear strips out, I can easily replace it without needing t braces or having to pry the cover off.

However, even though this one is brand new, I would like to pop the cover off and see how much grease is inside. Should it be mostly packed, light covering, slathered all over the place, something in between? What type of grease should I buy to add if it needs more. After looking at some of the rust nightmares some people have posted pictures of, to prevent rust on the metal shaft in there, I also wanted to spread some grease on both sides on the flat metal. I figure doing all this will possibly help prolong the life of the plastic gear even though it will likely be replaced in the future with a brass one. I'm going to check worm gear wiggle too and see if I need to make any adjustments to tighten things up. If nothing else, it should help keep the inside greased up and rust free for when I do need to replace the plastic gear.
Reply
Old May 25, 2019 | 10:52 PM
  #2  
sjsingle1's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 6,761
Likes: 292
From: Fort Worth TX
Default

I just got some motors myself.....i put in brass gears and packed it FULL of grease....i used amsoil grease....you cant put to much in it because of the weep hole at the bottom....it will just flow out

if you dont want to pack it full.....concentrate on the worm gear area and the teeth on the main gear

the grease that was in there was a sorry excuse for lubrication
Reply
Old May 26, 2019 | 09:18 AM
  #3  
wssix99's Avatar
Save the manuals!
15 Year Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,969
Likes: 389
From: Chicago, IL
Default

Originally Posted by Elthesh
Should it be mostly packed, light covering, slathered all over the place, something in between? What type of grease should I buy to add if it needs more.
You don't want to pack the case with grease. This is an open gear system, which is a different thing than ball bearings. Here's a company that makes gears and they remind: https://khkgears.net/new/gear_knowle...-of-gears.html
"There must be sufficient grease to do the job. However, too much grease can be harmful, particularly in an enclosed system. Excess grease will cause agitation, viscous drag and result in power loss."

I think your instincts are good. You want enough grease to fully lubricate everything and then cover all the surfaces for rust protection. After that, there should still be a few blobs of reserve grease in the case that can re-feed and re-lubricate the system.

I expect that when you open the case, you'll find white lithium grease, which is a proper lubricant for metal-to-plastic parts.
Reply
Old May 26, 2019 | 10:04 AM
  #4  
Elthesh's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 238
Likes: 1
From: Fort Lauderdale
Default

Perfect. I have a spray can of white lithium grease, works wonders on the door hinges,but... I wonder if I should just get a tube of it instead or something for this job. Thoughts to ponder before the motor arrives...
Reply
Old May 27, 2019 | 06:07 AM
  #5  
sjsingle1's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 6,761
Likes: 292
From: Fort Worth TX
Default

previously I have used mobil 1 grease in the gears....it is not really the best choice for this application ....it gets thick and gummy and becomes runny despite being a ....synthetic grease

I think my choice to use the amsoil grease is a better one.....not as thick so flows much easier

I dont know how much of the gears are engaged in a full up and down cycle but clearly not all the teeth are used in operation....hence why I greased it in its entirety

choose your type of grease as you see fit
Reply
Old May 27, 2019 | 07:28 AM
  #6  
wssix99's Avatar
Save the manuals!
15 Year Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 12,969
Likes: 389
From: Chicago, IL
Default

Originally Posted by Elthesh
I wonder if I should just get a tube of it instead or something for this job.
Definitely. Go for the tube. A spray will make a mess and you will use an entire can to get a small amount out. (Compared to a tube or a tub.)

BTW - If you aren't sure what grease is there (and if you think you really have to add more), you should take in to account compatibility. If it doesn't look like a lithium grease, you may do some other tests: https://www.thelubricantstore.com/gr...tibility-chart
Reply
Old May 27, 2019 | 08:27 PM
  #7  
Chris Paveglio's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 736
Likes: 41
From: State College, PA
Default

The gear is only used 1/2 way so you only need to really grease up 1/2 to 5/8 or so, the other side won't ever be used (until you flip/rotate the gear). Also make sure that your motor housing is tight on the gear assembly - that is the start of the problem. The motor gets loose, then wears the gear improperly. Make sure your motor is punched down on the gear housing tight.

Here's a vid of my HID install. At about 16 minutes I show how the motor gets loose and how to fix it.
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2019 | 09:53 PM
  #8  
Elthesh's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 238
Likes: 1
From: Fort Lauderdale
Default

The motor arrived and when I opened it up, it had quite a good amount of grease in it. The housing was 100% tight and there was no wiggle between the gears. I added a bit of grease to the front and back of the flat parts of the gear rod. That's the part I usually see that's rusted to hell and back. Installed perfectly and now it's quiet as can be, for the time being. The old motor's housing was not tight at all, and the gear/rod was very wiggly. Of course the gear itself was concave from damage and the gear cover was barely held on by the gasket sealer they used. At least now I have screws on the new cover to make things much easier if I need to go back in again down the road. 43 bucks for a new motor was quite nice I think.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 16, 2019 | 10:37 PM
  #9  
wannafbody's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,622
Likes: 1,153
From: Pittsburgh
Default

I wouldn't use lithium grease as that can dry up and get gummy. I'd use a synthetic grease or dielectric grease.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:59 PM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE