Removing the headlights from a TO35 Ferguson

dwaldro · Feb 21, 2015

I started stripping my 55 Ferguson TO35 down. Removing the headlights looked so simple. 3/4 nut with a hole in the center of it for the wire to go through. The nut turns but so does the inner part that goes through into the light housing. I've done everything I can imagine short of firing up the torch. One of the lights is salvagable so I don't want to do that. Anyone know of a trick to get these lights off and not tear them up? I appreciate your help. dwaldro

Stan Rigney · Feb 21, 2015

You might be able to use a cutting disc and small grinder or drimmel to cut the nut off and save the other part.

Charles in Aus. · Feb 21, 2015

You could try some release fluid , you can make your own , equal parts of ATF and Acetone or thinners , just squirt on and leave for awhile .
The thread of those nuts is ; from memory very fine, and could be cross threaded , if that's the case try tightening it before trying to unscrew it .

Steve@Advance · Feb 21, 2015

Been a while since I had them apart, but thinking
you can take the lamp out, reach in and wedge/hold
the stud from the inside.

Tom Bowman · Feb 22, 2015

The hollow mounting bolt has a square shank, similar to a carriage bolt, near the head, that fits in a rectangular slot in the housing.

If the bolt is turning, the bolt and/or housing are worn.

You may be able to shift the housing a little, so the square shank will catch.

As Steve suggested, remove the lamp, and you may be able to grab the head of the bolt, or wedge it. A screw extractor ("ezy-out") of the right size in the hole in the hollow mounting bolt might work to grab the bolt. (?)

I had one in a worklight that was rusted solid, and I had to saw off the hollow bolt and replace it. (Just 8N's has them.)

Miner 09 · Feb 22, 2015

Use brake fluid to soak nut and let set overnight. Also new headlights have not been available for several months. Don't know why, suppliers tell me there on order but can't get them.You may want to try and save the bad one unless you can find used ones. Work lights are available. I've bought them and welded switch hole up and used on front to get by.

Roy Gatewood · Feb 23, 2015

I had trouble with mine turning also; ended up using some heat. If I remember correctly the nut was a locknut with some kind of plastic (nylon?) in it that melted and released the nut to turn. Basically it was about a 1/8 inch hole in a flat that had nylon in it to lock the nut.

dwaldro · Feb 23, 2015

Thanks folks for all the suggestions. I had tried soaking the bolts in KROIL and wedging the bolt etc. Hated to resort to that but I had to use my 4 1/2 grinder and cut the bolt heads off. The slot in the lamp bases were "wallered" out letting the carriage head like bolt turn in the bases.

Removing the headlights from a TO35 Ferguson

dwaldro

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Stan Rigney

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Charles in Aus.

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Steve@Advance

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Tom Bowman

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Miner 09

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Roy Gatewood

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dwaldro

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