312 headlights rattle like crazy

[arrkerr 54]

I just picked up an 85 312-8 to add to my collection.  My other tractors have/are all C-series, so I'm new to the 300s.  The first thing I noticed is that despite the tractor running great, the headlights rattle so much I can't believe they even stay lit.  Mine are round, in what looks like a factory bracket, but it seems odd that the front is square.  I've been googling and searching this forum for headlight info, and I see people mention bezels, but I've not found any photos that really help.  I'm curious if what I have is all there, and the brackets are right, and if they just rattled like this from the factory.  Whether they are or not, I'd be interested in hearing some ideas for fixing the rattle (especially on the cheap).  I was thinking about just wrapping them with duct tape or something, but I'm not sure about the heat (not that I use them often).  Maybe coat them with some kind of gasket maker or foam material.  They spin around too as they rattle, so I need to find some way of preventing that.

Thanks!

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,499]

The square bezels are plastic and fit into the hole cutout in the metal hood. A picture would sure help plenty. And yes, the headlight is round. Post a pic of the outside and open the hood post a pic of the inside by the bulb area, need a peek. Congrats on the new philly.

Glenn

[arrkerr 54]

Ah shoot, photos somehow got lost in the original post.  Here they are.. front one is a bit dark, I could take a better one tomorrow.

On the inside, as you can maybe see in the photo, the light is just loose and held by some tabs and the single screw bracket.  I can rattle them quite a bit and spin them around freely (as far as the wires will go at least).

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,499]

Looks like the bezels are there and the inside hardware looks correct. Might have to bend those 2 metal screw in clips that hold the bulb in the back. They should be a bit taught. Others will shout out.  Will be following along. 

glenn

[squonk 43,977]

 Take out the bulbs. bend the 2 metal tabs on each hole in so they hold the bulbs tighter. Reinstall. 10 min and your rattle free.

[arrkerr 54]

Alright, thanks!  I guess I was mostly surprised to see round bulbs in a square hole.  What was it with the 80s and square headlights.  I'll go bend the tabs.  They sure seemed sturdy, so I didn't want to go bending something that shouldn't have been w/o asking the experts first!  Maybe see if I've got something to give them a bit of shock protection - sure seems like they ought to have a rubber insulator or something around them!  But hey, if they made it this long, they must not need them - must be some pretty sturdy bulbs.

Thanks again, much appreciated!  So excited to be cleaning up my "new" horse.

[arrkerr 54]

Wow, yep, bending the tabs made a wold of a difference.  No more rattle!  I've gotta say, when I first fired up the horse I thought something major was wrong - can't believe the previous owner lived with that for so long!