bent headlight mount

I discovered today that I have a bent headlight mount...


headligh bucket by bmonkey36, on Flickr

does anyone have a good one off a 1983 xj750 maxim just laying around?

CN

 

So what exactly is bent? Yes, the shell is sitting crooked, but...

I'm willing to bet if you take it apart and carefully examine the components (the shell itself, the "ears" and the bracket they mount to, etc.,) that you can probably get it straightened up and reassembled "un-tweaked" with really minor effort. I don't see any one thing as looking horribly bent.

 

even tough the bend is slight, I am not too positive I can bend it back where it should be without causing more damage. it looks like the left ear is what is bent...


headlight mount by bmonkey36, on Flickr

I would prefer to just find a straight one I can refurb and bolt on. I spent 15 years repairing cars for a living, I am fully aware what it takes to straighten bent sheet metal. I also have a bit of an extensive (albeit amateur) auto racing career. I am no stranger to metal fabrication.

CN

 

OH COME ON NOW. Are you a mechanic/restorer or a parts changer?

Clamp it by the ear in a vise with a cardboard-lined piece of plywood on each side so's to not scratch the chrome, and "form" that ear back into place. (They taught me in Olivetti school that we don't bend things, we form them.)

NEW front fenders often require that much tweakage, if not more.

Or, if your "Bay-fu" is truly strong, stalk eBay for a couple weeks and pick up an NOS or "take off" part for pennies on the dollar.

Or... I know where you can get a brand new one for about $115.00. PM if interested.

 

So if your gonna get a new one why not try to straighten first?? YOU CAN DO IT...