Stripped screws on headlight assembly

[thatchrisguy]

Anybody else have screws that just will not come out?? I'm needing to remove my headlights on my 92 Exceed, and one of the front screws is totally messed. There's very little room in there, but I was able to get my dremel with flexible shaft to attempt to make a slot in the screw.. It was too dark, so I will try again tomorrow.. Is it an option to drill the head right off and pull off assembly, then vice grip the stuck broken screw...? I don't want to make a mess of things..


Chris

[White Mule]

Canadian Tire has bits for just such an emergency.

You may have to tweek it to fit the tight space.

[after oil]

make sure youre turning the right screws! there are bigger ones and littler ones, you want to turn the littler ones of which there are only 3

[White Mule]

Thanks for mentioning that afteroil.

I assumed that was known.

The headlights may be aiming to Mars

[FalcoColumbarius]

Not the red planet!!!!

This situation appears to be quite common ~ you will not be the first. There are three screws that attach the headlamp to the van ~ two in front, one on the side. There will be another four screws on the front that are meant to adjust the trajectory of the headlamp. If you turn the adjustment screws too far they will strip the adjustment mechanism. If you have stripped the mechanisms they can be replaced with mechanisms from the old Japanese headlamps that are removed by the importer when Delicas first come to Canada. Those headlamps can usually be obtained for free.

Search the web site, there are a few threads regarding this issue. Also, make yourself familiar with "Delica Wiki", which you will find in the forum index. Good luck!

Falco.

[TardisDeli]

Hi Chris Guy, if your headlight covers have the Souest (spelling??) name on, then this is a common problem with them. Especially the adjustment screws seem to have a one shot chance to aim, then are stripped. Solution: get the original bits that were removed from your deli, and use those. Or buyt he more expensive Depo lights. There are lotsa posts about it, or if you're nearby Burnaby then drop by so Jay TardisDeli can show you. Cheers, Christine.

[thatchrisguy]

Thanks everyone!
They aren't Depo lights... I'm getting a set of screw extractors that fit a screwdriver handle cause the drill won't fit in there... So, if I do upgrade to Depo lights, they will fit better and be brighter etc? The reason I'm taking these out is because one side is hanging loosely and tightening doesn't seem to do the trick. Also, the floor boards are wet, and I've tried everything except for the seal behind the panel above the headlights..

Another thing I wouldn't mind fixing is the panel where the license plate holder is sitting. There's a wee dent in it and the license holder is a rusty mess.. Is it fairly easy to remove the panel so i can pop out the dent and maybe fit a different license plate holder on? I'm thinking not, and maybe I should try fixing it in place..

Chris

[Green1]

Another thing I wouldn't mind fixing is the panel where the license plate holder is sitting. There's a wee dent in it and the license holder is a rusty mess.. Is it fairly easy to remove the panel so i can pop out the dent and maybe fit a different license plate holder on? I'm thinking not, and maybe I should try fixing it in place..

the license plate holder is welded to the front bumper, removing it requires a fair amount of effort.

[thatchrisguy]

The screw extractor works like a charm. I stuck it onto an extension and then onto a screwdriver handle. It came out like nothing. Tomorrow I will remove it all and seal up the leaks behind the panel and put it all back together. I'll have to find a few new metal screws from somewhere to replace the crap stripped ones up front. Brass is best? Cambodian tire or Home Despot?

thanks much, everyone!

Chris