CRG Discussion Forum

Camaro Research Group Discussion => Restoration => Topic started by: hdptsr on May 25, 2026, 08:35:21 PM

Title: 1969 RS headlight doors will not fully close
Post by: hdptsr on May 25, 2026, 08:35:21 PM
Hello,

Everything is new (vacuum) and my headlight doors do not fully close, how to I adjust that?  They will close if not connected to the rod of the Actuator.  I have the vacuum cans all the way back but I am still need about 3/4" more to get both doors fully closed.  It seems like the rod of the actuator is too long?  Is there any adjustment?

Thanks for any help you can give! - Joe 
Title: Re: 1969 RS headlight doors will not fully close
Post by: hdptsr on June 01, 2026, 12:22:47 AM
here are some pics, the right passenger is fine, it is the drivers side that is about 1/2 inch from closing.  The actuator is all the way pushed in.  Cant find any more adjustment for it.  I did scoot the canister as far back as I could on the bracket.
Title: Re: 1969 RS headlight doors will not fully close
Post by: KevinW on June 01, 2026, 06:34:53 AM
Nice Pace!

With the actuator disconnected, does it close fully?  The factory put body shims between the rad support and headlight bracket (under the bolts) to adjust it.  I have not personally worked on this, just something I discovered long ago.
Title: Re: 1969 RS headlight doors will not fully close
Post by: x66 714 on June 01, 2026, 06:35:36 AM
Is the hinge on the cover stopping it from closing? If not, loosen the bolts of the actuator pivot & close it by hand. Tighten the 2 pivot bolts. Try that.....Joe
Title: Re: 1969 RS headlight doors will not fully close
Post by: hdptsr on June 01, 2026, 10:53:17 AM
I have shimmed it at the radiator core support, I have loosened the bolts and closed it as far as I could and re tightened them.  It will close all the way if the actuator is disconnected.  It is like the actuator rod is too long?
Title: Re: 1969 RS headlight doors will not fully close
Post by: 169INDY on June 01, 2026, 11:53:50 AM
My Z11 has this EXACT same problem.- Dang it.

As a side note: I was reading Z22/B3 & I never knew we are suppose to Glue [18] the chrome Slit RS headlight grill [12] to the Door [13] !

I may have just found a very annoying source rattle when driving?
Title: Re: 1969 RS headlight doors will not fully close
Post by: hdptsr on June 01, 2026, 01:06:53 PM
I ordered a new bracket and different canister to see if that will fix it.  I have read that some people actually shorten the rod of the canister and reattach the clevis pin ring.  I have also read that the rear bracket can be modified.  I hope I do not have to do this!  We will see!  Thanks for the info and discussion!
Title: Re: 1969 RS headlight doors will not fully close
Post by: hdptsr on June 05, 2026, 11:06:37 AM
Any other ideas from the community?
Title: Re: 1969 RS headlight doors will not fully close
Post by: David K on June 08, 2026, 01:44:22 PM
Is the inner fender orginal? It could be the actuator mount bracket bolts are not drilled in the correct location in the inner fender.
Title: Re: 1969 RS headlight doors will not fully close
Post by: hdptsr on June 10, 2026, 03:08:13 PM
it is AMD inner fender, with CHQ brace
Title: Re: 1969 RS headlight doors will not fully close
Post by: hdptsr on June 15, 2026, 12:22:38 PM
Update....So I got the new canister and inner fender brace and no difference.  I actually was ready to shorten the rod on the canister and realized when I took off the boot that would not make a difference as it was all the way pushed in hitting on the clevis pin apparatus.  So I decided the easiest way to fix my issue was to use a dermal the weld on the bottom of the bell crank and rotate the bottom attachment to the actuator just a small amount.  it is a D shaft so you will have to use the Dremel to round it out a little.  Then rotate the direction you need to get the door to close.  I tacked  it in the car, then took it out and re welded it in the correct clocked position.  Fixed it in 3 hours Vs fighting it for the 20 hours I did before that.  Hope this helps someone!  I will post some pics soon!
Title: Re: 1969 RS headlight doors will not fully close
Post by: 169INDY on June 20, 2026, 11:42:27 AM
So, Are you "lessening" the relative angle between the bell crank arms?

by means of sectioning the canister arm and rewelding to the existing stub offset closing the angle a bit to obtain more travel in the closed direction.

Title: Re: 1969 RS headlight doors will not fully close
Post by: David K on July 09, 2026, 02:23:00 PM
We're the holes for the support brackets already punched through on the inner fenders? If so, they are probably off 1/2".