URGENT: how to adjust headlights?

[stevecrm]

How do I adjust the headlights on my terrano? its the last job I have to do for my MOT :nenau

its all ready and hopefully off to the MOT centre tomorrow or Wednesday, then hopefully I will be back on the road finally :clap

 

[elty001]

if you look at the top of your head lights there are 2 holes with the adjusters in.you can move them with a flat bladed screwdriver.not sure which one does what but i'm sure you will figure it out once you start twiddling.

 

[stevecrm]

ok, i'll look now. cheers

 

[rustic]

On my Mav, I use the largest pozidrive screwdriver in my toolbox, this acts like a gear wheel (pinion) much easier than a flat blade.

 

[MontysMaverick]

Tip for all concerned, although its only logic, please remember that if you do the "wind up torsion bar" job to add larger tyres/wheels then you also need to adjust your lights..... Thats what the MOT man told me.... but I dont do logic... :lol :lol :lol

 

[Fez_uk]

What sort of level do you adjust them to?

 

[dinky]

wont they adjust enough on dash switch

 

[larson]

my mot station does it for me its a simple job.... and he swaps bulbs

 

[kbekl]

my old mot station used to do it free included in the mot test price

 

[Terranical]

The way I do mine is :- Find a piece of level ground with a flat wall that you can get about 25 yards from (I used a multi-storey car park). Park the car facing and square to the wall, measure the distance between the headlights, centre to centre, and the height of the headlights from the floor to the centre. With the engine running (you don't want to flatten your battery) put your lights on main beam. Using the measurements you took make 2 marks on the wall corresponding to the distance apart and the height of the lights, then adjust the lights so that the marks are in the centre of each of the beams. The adjusters nearest the grille adjust the height and the ones nearest the outside adjust the angle. Check first that the bulbs are correctly seated in the reflectors and that the spring retainers are clipped down properly. Sounds complicated but shouldn't take more than 10 mins. Seemples.

 

[rustic]

The way I do mine is :- Find a piece of level ground with a flat wall that you can get about 25 yards from (I used a multi-storey car park). Park the car facing and square to the wall, measure the distance between the headlights, centre to centre, and the height of the headlights from the floor to the centre. With the engine running (you don't want to flatten your battery) put your lights on main beam. Using the measurements you took make 2 marks on the wall corresponding to the distance apart and the height of the lights, then adjust the lights so that the marks are in the centre of each of the beams. The adjusters nearest the grille adjust the height and the ones nearest the outside adjust the angle. Check first that the bulbs are correctly seated in the reflectors and that the spring retainers are clipped down properly. Sounds complicated but shouldn't take more than 10 mins. Seemples.

I try a similar method, on dipped beam, chalk a line or masking tape on the wall when the vehicle is 3 feet away.
As you reverse the beam should go lower until it nearly reaches the floor.
Over a reasonable distance, I have mine so the beam is on the floor at a fair distance giving me better visability over a longer range.
If the beam rises as you reverse, you will need to lower them.
You can also see the beam shape for angular measurement as well.

I don't think MOT are interested in full beam adjustment.

Hope this helps.
Regards,
Rustic

 

[Terranical]

I try a similar method, on dipped beam, chalk a line or masking tape on the wall when the vehicle is 3 feet away.
As you reverse the beam should go lower until it nearly reaches the floor.
Over a reasonable distance, I have mine so the beam is on the floor at a fair distance giving me better visability over a longer range.
If the beam rises as you reverse, you will need to lower them.
You can also see the beam shape for angular measurement as well.

I don't think MOT are interested in full beam adjustment.

Hope this helps.
Regards,
Rustic

You're probably right in that the MOT testers aren't interested in main beam, but I've found that if you get the main beam correct using the method I have described, dip beam will also be correct, but I'm sure either method will do the deed!

 

[rustic]

There are so many people who change their bulbs and fit them slightly off centre they then glare oncoming drivers, so follow Terranical's advice and make sure the bulbs are correctly seated.