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[Webby the Bear]

Hi guys,

UNBELIEVABLY I have never aimed headlights 

Mine are very low to the ground and I think they need heightening.

As you look at the head light I can see there's an adjuster on the right (wing side) and one on the inner side. Am I right in thinking the outside one adjusts left/right and the inner adjusts up and down?

Also, what spec do I go for? Up against garage door or what?

Cheers guys.

[Diamond Black Geezer]

Ok... in theory your headlights are perfect... the thing to confirm is whether your adjusters have broken (very, very common) of which alloy replacements are available. (it's also why OOFers tend not to post headlamps when breaking a car)

Apologies if this is teaching nan to suck eggs, you may have already discounted broken adjusters as the cause of a low beam.

[TheBoy]

Assuming it passed its MOT, then at time of test, they were in the allowed range. Omega headlights aren't the best, even with HIDs.

But worth checking for broken adjusters.

[Webby the Bear]

So how do the adjusters turn? With a Philips? And I presumably know they are broken if the headlights don't move at al?

[Diamond Black Geezer]

Yep. Have a google and look around on here for talk of how to replace adjusters etc.. that will give you an idea of 'what the adjusters are' so to speak, easier than explaining verbally.

If you get the car parked, with wheels hard over on full lock (I think right lock is best) you'll see on the nearside wishbone, a little rod on a linkeage, which is designed to move up and down with the wishbone. This is held on with a ball and socket joint, and if anything like mine, pops out reasonably easily. You can then artificially raise the rideheight. There's another similar rod/linkeage on the rear (think) offside wishbone. Move this and watch for the headlamps moving. If there's a mild buzzing of a motor, but no movement, then you have one/both broken adjusters.

I may be giving you some bull here, as they both work to tell the headlamps what weight is in the car, so consequently they may both need to be moved in order that the lamps tilt. The other option is, of course, to get a mate to stand in the boot! Hope that's helped 

[Diamond Black Geezer]

Also quite the opposite - instead of with a broken adjuster the lamps don't move, rather that if the adjusters are broken then the headlamps wiggle all over the place! 

[TheBoy]

So how do the adjusters turn? With a Philips? And I presumably know they are broken if the headlights don't move at al?

Allen key. 4mm IIRC, but don't quote me.

If the adjusters aren't broke, they will be as soon as you attempt to adjust.  Unless you have a big oven, and a spare pair of hands, leave well alone. That said, I'm always here to help if you do break the adjusters - Mrs TB and I are a dab hand at them now . Aluminum adjusters are about £12 each, 2 required.


On level surface, drive up to a wall. Mark the kick-ups with a bit of chalk. Gently reverse back (slow enough not to move the suspension) about 5 yards, the light beam should slightly dip and go left. My MOT man gets grumpy if mine doesn't dip a bit...

[TheBoy]

Yep. Have a google and look around on here for talk of how to replace adjusters etc.. that will give you an idea of 'what the adjusters are' so to speak, easier than explaining verbally.

If you get the car parked, with wheels hard over on full lock (I think right lock is best) you'll see on the nearside wishbone, a little rod on a linkeage, which is designed to move up and down with the wishbone. This is held on with a ball and socket joint, and if anything like mine, pops out reasonably easily. You can then artificially raise the rideheight. There's another similar rod/linkeage on the rear (think) offside wishbone. Move this and watch for the headlamps moving. If there's a mild buzzing of a motor, but no movement, then you have one/both broken adjusters.

I may be giving you some bull here, as they both work to tell the headlamps what weight is in the car, so consequently they may both need to be moved in order that the lamps tilt. The other option is, of course, to get a mate to stand in the boot! Hope that's helped 

Webby's is a lowly CD model. No auto adjustment.

However, even those with auto adjustment still need adjustment

[Diamond Black Geezer]

Ahhhh, one forgets some people don't have Xenons ;-) Misread it as a CDX.

In which case, yes, check for wobbly lens unit, and get adjusting. 

[Webby the Bear]

Thanks guys,

I purchased the CD quite simply cos its the best 

[Diamond Black Geezer]

Is your full name Webby The Bear Faced Liar?

 

[Webby the Bear]

Is your full name Webby The Bear Faced Liar?

 

 

[duke101]

Is your full name Webby The Bear Faced Liar?
      Wot a diamond!

[dbug]

If you do adjust the headlights Webby, remember you only get a small movement on the lights for a lot of turns of the allen key

[Webby the Bear]

Hi guys, took car for mot today. Failed on headlight beam too low on N/S.

MOT chap tried to adjust but....nothing.

So, do I try it out for myself knowing that you have to turn them a billion times to get them to turn. or do I fit these new adjusters that everyones mentioned?

If you think replace the adjusters... TB may I take you up on your kind offer and pop over to you for some help? And whats the place called where I get them from (as I understand GM no longer make them  )