Headlight Bucket Spring Install

[DBear]

Does anyone know how or a trick to install new headlight bucket springs into the radiator support? I am attempting to install new hardware into a 68 GMC front clip. Thanks in advance..

[kcsa75]

There should be a single hole where the spring slides into the core support opposite the two adjustment screws. Then you need some sort of small hook. Slide the notches in the buckets into the adjustment screws on the top and the side. Then use the hook to pull the spring out and into the hole on the headlight bucket.
If you have a lot of patience and a colorful vocabulary, you can use a pair of needle-nose pliers. Eventually, you will get it.

[UniqueOdyssey68]

Reviving this old thread because I cannot figure out where the spring attaches to the headlight bucket. Does it go in the notch? How?
I can't see how the spring would hold onto the notch, there's nothing there.

Or does the spring seat into the bucket notch then wrap around and hook onto the bucket edge? But then the headlight won't seat in the bucket.
Or does the spring go into a small bucket hole?

This makes no sense. I've read many other threads and even those are conflicting. Some say it goes into the tiny bucket hole https://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vbo...d.php?t=669797

Others say it doesn't go in a bucket hold but goes in the notch https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=461066

Help! LOL I will post pics in a minute another reply

[UniqueOdyssey68]

Spring goes into notch? how? Doesn't make sense, it's a empty notch, nothing for spring to hold onto

[UniqueOdyssey68]

Or does it wrap around the bucket edge? But then the headlight won't seat in the bucket.

[Rust_never_sleeps]

Does this help? At least with the orientataion?

https://www.lmctruck.com/lighting/he...t-single_chevy

[Rust_never_sleeps]

https://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vbo...d.php?t=803481

[UniqueOdyssey68]

Thank you! Had to zoom in to all those pics, and then I noticed it goes into the trim ring! lol.
The trim ring has a hole or slot and that is what the spring hooks into. So the trim ring has to be rotated/oriented to line up with the bigger notch on the bucket so that the spring holds. Then the hook/curved end of the spring goes into the trim ring.
LMCs own picture of the parts/assembly doesn't show the side of the trim ring with the hole/slot.
I also finally found a YouTube video of a 68 Camaro that actually shows the trim ring slot and spring install https://youtu.be/A47B30Fvv-Y?si=yY5kiEG4uqNQHkng
whew! I thought I was going crazy last night thinking I got wrong parts or wrong year core support lol

[Rust_never_sleeps]

I think I actually knew about the trim ring, but late night out of context, not staring at it, that did not occur to me ;-)

[Fbks_Cruiser]

No, the spring does not connect to the trim ring. If it did you would lose the adjustment and the whole bucket would come off the core support when you swap lights. See attached photo of my GMC. Took me a while to find a Pic. Spring connects to bucket. There is a spot on core support where spring obviously goes if bucket is aligned right, it has a notch for the spring to hook to. Your springs look messed up.

[UniqueOdyssey68]

The first picture you posted of the GMC version on the passenger side, the left headlight, zoom in, the trim ring is installed. Look at where the spring meets the bucket. It's at the trim ring where the ring has that hole/slot. The 2 are lined up - the bucket notch and the slot of the trim ring. That's what I see anyway.
That is where the spring hooks in, thru the slot and on the bucket. It's the same thing. Otherwise how could the trim headlight and trim ring go on if that slot wasn't there to clear the spring. That's how I did it once I realized that slot. I used the new springs with the whole kit once I figured it out.

Brother's trucks has this old video with David Welch, and he shows installing them. https://youtu.be/wPRYQpGfarI?si=jD3oNnVHMopSy6F4
While it doesn't specifically show connecting the spring, he mentions there is a slot when he puts the ring on. And notice when he unscrews the trim ring, it is still staying on because the spring wasn't removed yet. I figure he knows how to install them. I'm in mostly mock up build stage, so it's holding firm right now.

[Fbks_Cruiser]

I think we are saying the same thing, different words. Glad you got it figured out.

[SASROD]

I think you are also trying to install the spring backwards.