Is it just me? Headlight adjustment screws!!

[SunSoaked]

Another case of simple stupid has got me stumped.
I'm trying to replace the headlight adjuster screws and the plastic clips that they screw into. I've bought and broken 3 of these clips trying to get them to seat into the square hole in the core support. I thought it was just cheesy Chinese quality so I bought some from LMC with a recent order. Looks identical to the local parts store pieces.
The issue is they will not clip into the hole securely. I can't pull them thru far enough that the tabs lock them in place. Is there a secret to this?

[4x4k30]

Originally Posted by SunSoaked

Another case of simple stupid has got me stumped.
I'm trying to replace the headlight adjuster screws and the plastic clips that they screw into. I've bought and broken 3 of these clips trying to get them to seat into the square hole in the core support. I thought it was just cheesy Chinese quality so I bought some from LMC with a recent order. Looks identical to the local parts store pieces.
The issue is they will not clip into the hole securely. I can't pull them thru far enough that the tabs lock them in place. Is there a secret to this?

them things are a pia anyway . take it and leave the screw in it and push it thru the back side .it should go, in ??

[kazoocruiser]

Maybe let them soak in hot water first?

I had to replace two of them, but the ones I got at O'reilleys went in fine without it.

Maybe you will need to file the plastic a little bit?

[SunSoaked]

Thanks.
That's what I have been doing but it won't come forward enough for the tabs to snap outward and hold it in place. When I try to carefully pop the tabs out they snap off.

[SunSoaked]

Hmmm...maybe I'll just tackweld a nut to it and be done with it. Don't know why it has to be plastic anyway? In Arizona we don't have rust, so that's no concern.

[kazoocruiser]

I wouldn't worry too much about getting them clamped in the core. If you install them from the rear, the spring pressure pull through from the headlight shell will keep them in place. You could cut the spring clips off and glue the rest in place if you thought they would move, but I think that step would be overkill.

[gmachinz]

That’s why I stick with NOS GM.

[Mattchu60]

I have heard the Dorman ones are junk - I am guessing that is what LMC also sells. I got a set of adjusters off Ebay that are claimed to GM ones. the plastic nuts are green, the screw heads are also like the originals. They fit right into the holes and none broke when installed.

[fordguy40]

Just bought a set from Classic Industries, so I guess I'll find out. One thing I noticed is that different parts are listed for pre-'80 and post-'80 trucks...is it possible you might have the wrong ones?

[Warrens69GMC]

Vaseline?

[Dead Parrot]

Not just you. Replaced one on a CUCV(K30 pickup variant) and had the same problem. Don't know what brand, they were some I already had. But as Kazoocruiser said, once they get tension on them from the spring, they stay put.

[TKCR]

https://www.clipsandfasteners.com/He...1&search=%20GM
Not sure which of these is correct for our trucks. At least you get more for your money. I get all my fasteners from here.

[DieselSJ]

Originally Posted by Mattchu60

I have heard the Dorman ones are junk - I am guessing that is what LMC also sells. I got a set of adjusters off Ebay that are claimed to GM ones. the plastic nuts are green, the screw heads are also like the originals. They fit right into the holes and none broke when installed.

I can say for 100% certainty that the LMC are not the same as Dorman. I tried the Dorman first and they stripped while trying to adjust the lights. The LMC were much better quality and no issues with installing or adjusting.

[DoubleDubya]

I got some at my local GMC dealer a couple of years ago. They worked well.

[fordguy40]

I can confirm that the pieces from Classic Industries that are supposed to be for '65-'80 trucks are not like the OE inserts and look more like the inserts you'd see to mount a license plate. Because of this, they don't clip into the core support, but they look much sturdier than the stock pieces and do get the job done.