The passenger headlight will normally flex more than the driver as it is farthest away from the gear drive / motor. The headlight bucket shaft is a one piece, which makes working on it extremely difficult, but it does have bushings through the inner fender. If you adjust the bucket on the shaft do it with the headlights up to ensure it’s centered in the opening and doesn’t catch and damage the paint. I assume your headlights are stopping in the correct position (micro switches functioning)? I have aftermarket dual headlights which are lower profile where the bucket only opens partially. This tends to create more ‘bounce’ and the fix was to add a small rubber stop arm to the bucket which just touches the inside the fender when headlights are up. Julian
On Aug 2, 2025, at 06:09, Mike Drew via DeTomaso <detomaso@server.detomasolist.com> wrote:
Sorry I forgot to change the subject title when I replied. There, I fixed it. :)
Mike
Sent from my iPad
On Aug 2, 2025, at 08:01, Mike Drew via DeTomaso <detomaso@server.detomasolist.com> wrote:
Ben,
Normally one sees both headlights shaking, which is caused by a poor interface between the gear on the metal bar to which the buckets are attached, and the gear in the ‘transmission’ on the headlight motor.
Your problem sounds different. Raise the headlights, then see if you can move the offending headlight bucket around. If so. It’s easy to fix. It’s got four studs in the bottom which allows it to be bolted to metal pads welded to the car that runs across the front of the car.
Raise the right side corner and remove the front wheels a few sheetmetal screws secure an access panel; lower the headlights to ensure the proper positioning of the bucket within the opening in the fender, reach inside with a 10mm socket and tighten the loose nuts.
Let us know if that is the problem.
I suppose it could also be possible that the headlight itself is loose within the bucket? That’s a different fix though….
Mike
Sent from my iPad
On Aug 2, 2025, at 07:47, Ben Roper via DeTomaso <detomaso@detomasolist.com> wrote:
Hello and good morning everyone, I was hoping I could get some help in addressing a headlight bucket shake I am experiencing. It is only the passenger side headlight, but it rattles around a bit whether up or down. What fixes are there for this issue and how involved is the process? I have never worked on pop up headlights before. Also, I have finally been approved as a user on the forum, so I can post there if that is a better option.
-Ben Sent from my iPhone
On Jul 31, 2025, at 6:44 PM, Julian Kift <julian_kift@hotmail.com> wrote:
In that case you can get one from Wilkinson, he’s out on medical and will be back in a couple weeks….
Although alternatively your personal list “retired old geezers seem to lose the ability use Google search” substitute shopping assistant suggests
[1]socalautoparts.com [2][0UIwCs3tu1twyh6YDjLLHPol7EfzpPOW8+Kv8oIe+1lLl9iV0R0jE34Dsuh0CJ5TPv5 5Sj7B6mdLei020fNiFi63di2HsjvkKM5UPFHNvi+i5wg41vtnOO7drcrOi2K1EMoTWbAFas EvNevw+1onfhXdCSCvIVg3gbIaX1Dc1YARSyirnFrxT37vKPdxgCftJn8PEy9lyVIzKAUNU L5ZIRAGb741oCfZVnnJgkwVSy2QWiC1QGqB1AKpBVILpBZILZBaILVAaoGwBf4HzXi6e+xf Nt0AAAAASUVORK5CYII=]
Or if in a rush you can do what I did and run down to an auto parts store and grab a 17mm Allen key, cut a portion off the long side and insert in a 17mm socket or ring wrench. You can make multiples from one Allen key and keep them in any orifice of your choice and they’ll work as long as you have a 17mm wrench or socket on hand!
Julian
On Jul 31, 2025, at 17:36, Mike & Elizabeth <mbefthomas2@gmail.com> wrote:
Except it needs to be a 3/8” drive to have clearance on the tide of the ZF. A ½” drive is too big.
Thanks
Mike Thomas
From: Julian Kift <julian_kift@hotmail.com> Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2025 5:03 PM To: Mike Reilly <reillyms@live.com>; Mike & Elizabeth <mbefthomas2@gmail.com>; 'DeTomaso Email Forum' <detomaso@server.detomasolist.com> Cc: Detomaso Email List <detomaso@detomasolist.com> Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Re: 17m Hex ZF drain/fill plug tool - where to get?
Readily available at your local corner Amazon store....
[3]Amazon.com: Titan 15617 1/2-Inch Drive x 17mm Hex Bit Socket
Amazon.com: Titan 15617 1/2-Inch Drive x 17mm Hex Bit Socket
[4]www.amazon.com
Julian
_____________________________________________________________________
From: Mike Reilly <[5]reillyms@live.com> Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2025 4:59 PM To: Mike & Elizabeth <[6]mbefthomas2@gmail.com>; 'DeTomaso Email Forum' <[7]detomaso@server.detomasolist.com> Cc: Detomaso Email List <[8]detomaso@detomasolist.com> Subject: [DeTomaso] Re: 17m Hex ZF drain/fill plug tool - where to get?
Mike, I believe they are the same as used in old VW Beetles etc. I don’t remember them being too hard to find. Maybe search for a VW version on Amazon or auto parts stores? Get Outlook for iOS<[9]https://aka.ms/o0ukef> ________________________________ From: Mike & Elizabeth <[10]mbefthomas2@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2025 4:25:17 PM To: 'DeTomaso Email Forum' <[11]detomaso@server.detomasolist.com> Subject: [DeTomaso] 17m Hex ZF drain/fill plug tool - where to get? Where can I get one of the 17m hex sockets for the ZF drain and fill plugs? Thanks Mike Thomas
References
Visible links: 1. https://socalautoparts.com/product/socket-17mm-allen-3-8in-drive-transmissio... 2. https://socalautoparts.com/product/socket-17mm-allen-3-8in-drive-transmissio... 3. https://www.amazon.com/Titan-Tools-15617-Drive-Socket/dp/B004W81LPY/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?adgrpid=1334807680119940&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.CWaQ7E8uXVJJs-OMhSk0APHdeAiocrBW4fIVPuaN2Sli0SEbFRTWpsdmMqTa_-SA1wPqi2kIRt7RxNae9tc7Zs4cwosfYR_MUk_rBR79EyETh0h8UPlb5MhjVU7NH3FXZNWvFaRKiRlYVkV1GAKm6w8tucTK1lGwx2Gr9LTX03iSRhF7fRyodD5efemlbyy2D1HJpy-LblnDNrs2LdVHVcwKFcyK34ITFwfUL9YF0n8KUWGXhBPUQGRywj-5S5BZRsALOX368nbSszu1BVlsKBfRc46uOSXz1CxjpXQ_sks.l6HfqYQwQc2YuyKV3c-VyzlJ_TbmTCky_PvTxPEvlCc&dib_tag=se&hvadid=83425719056299&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=87647&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-83425823604998:loc-190&hydadcr=1611_13458096&keywords=17mm+hex+socket&mcid=2b0b5a3aae4c37628ac14cb1c42d2731&msclkid=0a26f4b872ff1a9696be9c347135f943&qid=1754006490&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1 4. http://www.amazon.com/ 5. mailto:reillyms@live.com 6. mailto:mbefthomas2@gmail.com 7. mailto:detomaso@server.detomasolist.com 8. mailto:detomaso@detomasolist.com 9. https://aka.ms/o0ukef 10. mailto:mbefthomas2@gmail.com 11. mailto:detomaso@server.detomasolist.com
Hidden links: 13. https://socalautoparts.com/product/socket-17mm-allen-3-8in-drive-transmissio...
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