Adjusting headlights?

[Tiger]

5 feet away from headlight to wall... measure from ground to center of the headlight and bring that to the wall. About .40" down from the line... that's the highest the low beam should shine (forget about that angle rise to the right).

Straight aim from headlight to wall... no deviation to center or outer side of the car.

[bad_manners_god]

Hey guys, took my car for a little spin since it's almost done except my headlights are pointing awfully narrow instead of a wide projection type.

I know I need to adjust them, but is there some sort of guide or is it a "Do it till it looks good" kind of adjustment.

Thanks.

Oh btw, my headlights are DEPO projector headlights if it makes a difference.

[bad_manners_god]

5 feet away from headlight to wall... measure from ground to center of the headlight and bring that to the wall. About .40" down from the line... that's the highest the low beam should shine (forget about that angle rise to the right).

Straight aim from headlight to wall... no deviation to center or outer side of the car.

Could you make it a bit more clear. I think I got this:

1.) Park car 5 feet away from wall
2.) Measure center of headlight to floor
3.) ???
4.) ???

[Qube]

http://bmwe34.net/e34main/maintenance/electrical/Headlight_adjustment.htm

[bad_manners_god]

http://bmwe34.net/e34main/maintenance/electrical/Headlight_adjustment.htm

Thanks for the link, Will take a crack at it tomorrow, looks pretty straight forward, just need to find a good location and no snow.

Quick question: If I drop the car, will I need to re-adjust the headlights after that?

[uscharalph]

Thanks for the link, Will take a crack at it tomorrow, looks pretty straight forward, just need to find a good location and no snow.

Quick question: If I drop the car, will I need to re-adjust the headlights after that?
You'll might need to adjust them after the drop. It's very simple after you do it the first time.

[Tiger]

Yes, you do have to readjust the light after installing lowering springs. The reason is that the kit has higher springs in back and lower in front so the light points too far down.

[Tiger]

1.) Park car 5 feet away from wall

2.) Measure center of headlight to floor

3.) Use a letter size paper... fold it half both way. Draw a line on both crease. On the long side, measure 0.40" from the center and draw the parallel line... this line is the highest your low beam should hit. (forget about that angle light rise to the right.) Use sharpie so you can see these lines.

4.) Transfer the height that you measure from headlight to floor to the wall and center that paper on that measurement. Landscape position with the 0.40" mark on the bottom side.

5.) As far as the direction of the headlight shooting foward... it should be straight line... not to the center nor to the outside onto oncoming car.

[whiskychaser]

Hey guys, took my car for a little spin since it's almost done except my headlights are pointing awfully narrow instead of a wide projection type.

I know I need to adjust them, but is there some sort of guide or is it a "Do it till it looks good" kind of adjustment.

Thanks.

Oh btw, my headlights are DEPO projector headlights if it makes a difference.
Take it to a garage. They have the kit and will only charge you peanuts. I doubt you are using dipped headlights to actually see the road but you wouldnt want some loon running into you because you dazzled them

[bad_manners_god]

Take it to a garage. They have the kit and will only charge you peanuts. I doubt you are using dipped headlights to actually see the road but you wouldnt want some loon running into you because you dazzled them

What kind of garage, you mean like a bmw specialist?

[Barney Paull-Edwards]

I`ll lay good money that the plastic clips that the adjuster screws rotate in are seized up! try and clamp them with pliers, clean the thread and work them up and down, WD40 seems to not work on plastic.

[bad_manners_god]

I`ll lay good money that the plastic clips that the adjuster screws rotate in are seized up! try and clamp them with pliers, clean the thread and work them up and down, WD40 seems to not work on plastic.

These are brand new depo headlights with brand new plastic clips and new adjusting screws.

[whiskychaser]

What kind of garage, you mean like a bmw specialist?
I wouldnt be going to BMW at £100 per hour for labour! Its easy in the UK - you just pick a garage that does the MOT test. There are dozens of them in each town. They have to have the equipment to check headlight alignment as its part of the test. The will do it for free if you are having the MOT done but might charge all of £5 towards the tea fund if not. If you dont have a similar system then I would think any decent garage should be able to help