Headlamp pod flutter cured! [NOT!!!]

amarshall · Post by **amarshall** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 22:27

Finally got round to diagnosing the "flutter" on my headlamp pods tonight. The nylon "push fit" ends on the threaded rod had come a little bit loose from the "castellated nut" that they're supposed to be attached to and the result was a not insignificant amount of vertical "flutter" when driving.

Filling the gaps with epoxy putty seems to have reduce the movement to a minimum.

terry · Post by **terry** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 13:05

I have a few of these rods, if you want and "end". send me your address.

Terry

amarshall · Post by **amarshall** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 13:14

Thanks for the offer Terry.

It's both ends of both rods that are loose. The epoxy putty seems to be working quite well as a means of stablising the nylon in the nut, so I'll stick with that for now.

terry · Post by **terry** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 10:18

These were fitted to nearly all pop-up lights on Toyota Celicas, so they are readily available in most breakers, but with a very short rod.

terry

amarshall · Post by **amarshall** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 10:42

b*gg*r! My cunning plan has failed - the vibration from 600 miles of driving last week has shaken the patches loose......and SJS want ...brace yourselves...£51 each for new rods!!!!

(that's for a piece of threaded rod about 6 inches long with two captive push-fit nylon ends a couple of lock nuts)

terry · Post by **terry** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 13:43

As I said, these are readily available from most 80's flip up headlamps.

Although the motors differ slighly.

Even if the rod is stuffed, threaded stainless rod is available from Screwfix.

Send your address via e-mail.

Terry

terry · Post by **terry** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 17:14

Angus, Don't panic and buy any, they are in the post.

Terry

amarshall · Post by **amarshall** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 17:57

terry wrote:Angus, Don't panic and buy any, they are in the post.

Terry

Your beer account is now in credit - thanks Terry

amarshall · Post by **amarshall** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 19:54

Big public THANKYOU! to Terry - replacement rod ends arrived this morning - they're a different design at the "nut" end to the ones currently on the car - should reduce the chance of them working loose (I hope)

amarshall · Post by **amarshall** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 20:28

Update - flutter was back for Donington weekend. Stripped the pods out today and found the source - the splined shaft isn't making a good fit in the lifting "flange", the rod amplifies the movement, so it bounces around like billy-oh... Bodge it or resort the parts sale

steven popay · Post by **steven popay** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 22:10

if you have the toyota lift motors something else that could be causing it is the end float (the up and down movement of the motor shaft) you will find a screw with a nut around it at the end of the motor, if you tighten this up but not too much it might cure some of the flutter