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Aligning Headlights

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Old Jul 28, 2008 | 03:11 PM
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Default Aligning Headlights

I know I have seen somewhere the process for aligning headlights. I've looked through all my manuals and just can't find it. Did a search on CF but nothing here either. I know there is a procedure where you point your lights on a wall 20-30' away and aim your headlights at prescribed marks on the wall. Can anyone help me out? How do you adjust your lights?
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Old Jul 28, 2008 | 03:25 PM
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Old Jul 28, 2008 | 03:27 PM
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I usually find a dark parking lot or deserted county road. Much more realistic! Adjust em where you want em.
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Old Jul 28, 2008 | 04:34 PM
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Originally Posted by blckslvr79
I usually find a dark parking lot or deserted county road. Much more realistic! Adjust em where you want em.
Yeah, that was the way I did recently on my son's Honda. I guess that works on vette too I was thinking the procedure would give me a good starting point. I'll give it a try . . . to be honest, that's how I know they are off . . . can't see the road as well as I think I should be. I'll eye-ball it and possibly replace lamps if necessary (don't know how old they are.) Thanks . . . Lane
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Old Jul 28, 2008 | 05:03 PM
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I found it in the specifications section of the service manual, I will try to post a scan of the page......


Last edited by Michel B; Jul 28, 2008 at 05:47 PM.
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Old Jul 28, 2008 | 05:17 PM
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The wall method works much better than the parking lot deal and is easier to get it right without blinding people.

Pull up against the wall with the headlights on and put a "+" made out of masking tape directly in front of each headlight, hi beams included.

Then back the car away from the wall in a straight line exactly 25 feet.

Get a piece of cardboard or something to block the other light so you are only working one light at a time.

Adjust the passenger low beam so the hot spot falls exactly on the "+".

Adjust the the driver side low beam so the hot spot falls just to the inside and slightly below the horizontal plane of the "+".

Adjust both high beams directly in line with the "+" and about 2 inches above.

That's it, super easy as long as your adjusters are not all corroded or stripped and the lights will be nice on the road and you will never blind anybody.
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Old Jul 28, 2008 | 06:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Michel B
I found it in the specifications section of the service manual, I will try to post a scan of the page......

Thanks . . . that's what I was looking for. I swear I looked through there twice. Must be getting old. Anyway, thanks a million!!!
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Old Jul 28, 2008 | 06:49 PM
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Originally Posted by redman76
Thanks . . . that's what I was looking for. I swear I looked through there twice. Must be getting old. Anyway, thanks a million!!!
its also in the Haynes repair manual, if you have one,

i love that book!
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Old Jul 28, 2008 | 11:15 PM
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Originally Posted by redman76
I know I have seen somewhere the process for aligning headlights. I've looked through all my manuals and just can't find it. Did a search on CF but nothing here either. I know there is a procedure where you point your lights on a wall 20-30' away and aim your headlights at prescribed marks on the wall. Can anyone help me out? How do you adjust your lights?
Just one suggestion, what you really are looking for is Aiming your headlights. See the top of the page Michael B posted.

If you ask a mechanic to align your headlights, they will work on the lifting mechanism to align them in the openings.

Ask me how I know this...

cc
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Old Jul 28, 2008 | 11:53 PM
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I have been in the process of perfecting my aim. But once I got the screws tight they popped through the metal holder. So I put in a washer and it made the headlights go up even higher than they we're suppose to. Good times
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Old Jul 29, 2008 | 05:35 PM
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Thanks for all the information and ideas. I'll give them a try
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Old Jul 29, 2008 | 09:56 PM
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i aim headlights all the time at work . just pull up to a wall or something and stay about 10 feet back and just make them point straight ahead. sometimes on higher trucks i'll go down just a hair . it doesn't have to be an exact science. when you drive at night if they need to be highter or lower tham you can readjust
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