How to Align your headlights! if you don't know now you do.

[MiniStiGuy]

there could be a multiple of reasons. Being that I am not familiar with what bulb type your lights use compared to ours. So these are not HID D2S setup? The right one seems fine as it looks just like a EDM type cutoff but the left one seems like possibly a mismounted bulb. Make sure that the bulbs are mounted flush with the projector, sometimes they stay but are not fully flat.

[sqapg5]

my bulbs need to be flushed?? need some help on that.. flushed??

[IanB]

my bulbs need to be flushed?? need some help on that.. flushed??

 

As in fully seated in the headlight housing, if they are not fully seated you may still be able to get the spring latch closed, but it will not throw light the way it is supposed to.

[sqapg5]

i went to dismantle and checked.. it is flushed nicely and the spring latch is also in place... i just dont quite get the fishtail cutt off at the sides..

 

many argue that the left is higher.( the arc) as we are a right hand drive country and it is for seeing the road signs etc...i would have to agree with it as it also prevents blinding of oncoming traffic.. just that comparing the very first post of the thread.. the way both are overlapped providing a very nice outcome is apparently impossible. have been screwing the knobs... trying my best and as per my picture postings.. you could really see the difference..

 

if i was on HID. would you say that the outcome might be better? or it is totally irrelevant to my problem? the throw for my beam is around 5 meters in front of my car and the rest of it is really history...

 

I would like to sincerely thank everyone for your kind help. appreciate it. I guess it could be just a faulty set that i have.. unless anyone has previous problems like mine and have solved it.

[MiniStiGuy]

the european market has different cutoffs than the American market does. Your cutoff should be right for your market. The only way I could tell you for certain is if I had a shot of the shields. I'm not sure if your camera is capable of taking one or not but that is the only other way I would be able to help.

[sqapg5]

i need a guide how to go about taking the shield..

 

i am using a canon 50d... i maybe able to pull it off..

[MiniStiGuy]

if you can see from the front of the car into the projector you should be able to see the shield in there. I'll try and get a pic of what I mean.

[sqapg5]

This is the normal shine on the road.. barely visible..

 

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/4548579060_1c49d7eee9_o.jpg

 

This is when i am covering the right hand side of the lamp(notice the fish tail cut off on the extreme left...)

 

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4547942645_dd0c96f0cf_o.jpg

 

This is when i am covering the left hand side of the lamp( notice that the right hand beam is shining exactly the same spot as the left beam... overlapping at least 70%... and the right side of this beam cut off isnt straight but a u shape..)

 

 

 

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4060/4548579188_f610850fc3_o.jpg

 

Now this is the normal beam outlook with cars as guide..

 

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4547942775_1e74cb8d22_o.jpg

 

really frustrating.. i have just found a workshop and he mentioned he will have to dismantle the whole headlight and also look at the projector shield and also understand why the throw is soo bad.. but i would love to hear some views or people with experience can tell me what is most likely the problem...

[MiniStiGuy]

the left side looks like the bulb is mismounted perhaps angled down a little or something. Swap bulbs to the other side and see what result you get.

[08LGT80]

The DOT standard for headlamps alignment is as follows: (this is the california standard which I'm sure is more then fine for everywhere else considering the stiffness of rules and regulations we are faced with)

 

The standard states that a vehicle's headlights must be at 25ft away 2 1/2 inches below the given height of the headlight. To accomplish this I have written out a guide for you guys that just are new to this or for those of you that have been wanting to do this but aren't really sure how high or low you should go.

 

Ok to start here's some stuff that will be needed.

 

You'll need to have a flat surface with a flat wall and plenty of flat ground to back up 25ft away from the wall.

 

Tools needed:

Tape Measure

Tape

8mm wrench or ratchet

phillips head screwdriver to remove snorkus.(intake section)

 

(tape works good for all the markings you'll be doing).

 

Cliff Notes:

Mark 1 = Center of the Vehicle.

Mark 2 = Height from the ground to the center of the Lens.

Mark 3 = Height from 25ft away that lower arc of beam should be at. (See 2nd Arc Picture)

Mark 4 = Distance from center of the Vehicle to the center of the Lens.

 

NOTICE: If you follow these instructions you will have a DOT approved alignment and will not be blinding oncoming drivers.

 

1. Pull up to the wall and mark the center of your car on the wall and your car. Mark 1 In the Diagram.

 

2. Measure the height from the ground to the center of your headlight (the center of the projector lens. Measure from Ground to Mark 2 and put Mark 2 on the wall.

 

3. Measure from the center of the car to the center of the Lens. Mark 1 to Mark 4 and put Mark 4 on the wall.

 

4.Measure from Mark 2 down 2 1/2 inches. Mark 2 Measure down 2 1/2 inches and put Mark 3 on the wall.

 

Your tape on the wall should now look like that of the diagram in the picture.

 

5. Use your tap measure and measure back 25ft from the wall and mark the ground at 25 ft away.

 

6. Put the tap measure right up next to your tires and proceed to back up until your front tire is at the 25ft mark. IMPORTANT!!! Be sure to keep the center of your car aligned with the center mark on the wall if you don't do so then your marks are now useless. I find using the tap measure helps you back up straight because you can use it as a guide with it extended out for you to back up next to (sort of like a curb)

 

7. Now adjust your lamps as needed as to align the lower section of the arc to line 3.

 

8. If your horizontal aim is off to much you can remove the cover that is on the bolt for the horizontal alignment and adjust as needed. (see picture of bolts location. The bolt is on the outside section of the lens cap towards the fender at the top of the headlight.)

 

Thats it your DONE!!!!!! being that you have now aligned your headlights to the DOT standard you can drive around worry free of blinding your fellow motorist.

 

UPDATED PICS:

The lower arc is the lower section of the light beam as opposed to where it arc's upwards to the top arc section.

 

Here's a diagram I drew up of how your's should look on the wall and how the lights should be aimed to that diagram.

 

NOTE: The higher arc is not what you are trying to aim here its the lower arc that you are trying to aim to the correct height.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u280/garrett804/Picture2copy.jpg

__________________

 

yeah their are bolts on the back of the headlight that can adjust the horizontal aim and the vertical aim.

 

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u280/garrett804/IMG_0343.jpg

If there is any questions or concerns just feel free to PM me or post them up.

 

is this for 2005 model only? i have a 2008 lgt and have a vertical adjustment on the top of the light assembly by the car frame.

[MiniStiGuy]

you also have horizontal.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u280/garrett804/08%20headlight/IMG_0922.jpg

[Bolksey85]

I have to do my 08's tonight. I went out for a drive last night and it was the first since my clearing over the weekend. They're way too low and need to come up some. Any tips on the newer style housings?

[MiniStiGuy]

There really is no tips. The alignment instructions are the DOT standard that I have on here so any projected vehicle should adhere to these standards. I even have a picture a few posts up of an 08 headlight and which bolts do what on it.

[Bolksey85]

Gotcha. Is it what I think it is in right turn (tightening motion) to raise and left turn to lower?

[MiniStiGuy]

I'm not sure off the top of my head which way makes it go up or down. You'll figure it out pretty fast though.

[RayC]

Yes, tightening motion lowers, loosening motion raises.

 

I just just did this a few minutes ago. thanks for this thread!

[MiniStiGuy]

thanks for being responsible enough to actually adjust the aiming and not just drive around like all these other idiots in the world that have lights shooting to the moon etc...

[iNVAR]

Hey, without those idiots on the road, the moon wouldn't be lit up for you to see and enjoy.

[MiniStiGuy]

 

yeah true..

[jmatijas_gt]

do you need to take out the battery and airbox to access the adjusting bolts?

[MiniStiGuy]

No you do not need to take them out. Most of you wont need to horizontally aim them and the vertical bold is easily accessible.

[jmatijas_gt]

i actually do need to horizontally aim, so would that then require me to take those out for accessibility?

[MiniStiGuy]

no not necessarily depending on what type of tools you have. You may have to take the headlights off or something out to be able to get to and pop off the horizontal covers but they can be adjusted without moving anything once you have the covers off.

[jmatijas_gt]

thanks dude, appreciate it. hopefully ifind the time to do this before the weekend

[MiniStiGuy]

No problem. I'm practically on here all day since I'm out of a job currently so feel free to PM me or just post up a question here. Probably better if you post it since someone else can read it and the answer I also give to it.