The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Headlight trim ring won't fit

Hi, I'm trying to get the ring around the headlights back on my '53, but have a problem. I'm using original rings, with a new rubber seal and clips. When I try to install it, the ring don't swing low enough to go under the headlight. If i force it, it will go under but the rubber on the top is jammed tight against the bulb and pulls off the ring.

Heres a picture of the headlight, I don't see any difference between how I have it and the shop manaul, but I could have mixed something up. Are there any obvious screw ups, or do I need to spend a few more hours in the garage swearing at them .

http://i56.tinypic.com/t7cy6r.jpg

Thanks

how do you have the rubber seal on? might have it with the lip the wrong way? it is a pretty tight fit, but with the little wire clips it shouldn't be able to "pull off the ring" ... maybe you should quit swearin at it and sweet talk it instead I put 4 of them on daBus but don't have a pic of the seal, maybe someone here will have ... or if you can get a pic of the inside of the ring with the seal on, someone can tell if it's right

Bill

Your bucket looks to be installed correctly

I bought new seals and clips from classic parts. I had a hard time getting them to work also. I ended up using the originals.

This seem to be common
Check out this thread
https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=642916&page=1


Good luck

..i have NOT put mine together yet but isn't there some difference a couple of the little springs?? Isn't there one or two sort of bigger that if in the wrong place may keep it from "closing" good? I'm just speculating here.
...also, the bucket does appear to be correct....that is there is a little slot on the top edge of the bucket to "hang" the outside ring on. Again, just speculating and trying to help.

I tried talking nicely, but still no luck . Heres a picture of the ring, its the original ring with new rubber and clips from Classic parts.

Heres the inside:
http://i55.tinypic.com/15re3r5.jpg

and outside:
http://i54.tinypic.com/a4prwi.jpg

I really hope I overlooked something stupid, these rings are just about the hardest part of restoring this truck

As best as I remember it looks right. You need to get that top clip into the slot on the bucket and secure the bottom with a screw.

Speaking of which, Are you holding your face just so.

This is a common problem, the new seals are a little "fat". I wonder if you change the "aim" on the lamps would help? Maybe if you could get a little more slack in the retainer spring, or lube the pivot points allowing the lamp assy to move around after you get the trim on. Maybe some lube on the seal itself. Keep trying and let us know how it turns out.

I got them on! I had to tug on the ring from the bottom and it just caught the bottom of the light. A lot of force and it pushed back and lined up with the screw hole. The rubber seal tried to roll out of the ring and stop it from going on, but I used a screwdriver and pushed it back into place.

Lets hope I don't have a burned out headlight any time soon.

hey! that's what they mean by "use a bigger hammer"!! but it'll be easier next time

Bill