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About 20 years ago, and about 25 thousand miles ago. I completely rebuilt the headlight door pivots. All new bushings etc. But it's been 20 years. So I really don't remember every little detail, I just remember it being a total pain. However I had them aligned great. But just recently I have noticed that the right front corner of the right hand door is hanging down with the headlights closed. I spent about an hour playing with the available adjustments. And it's a bit better, but not acceptable. Can't seem to see how I can adjust one corner without throwing everything else out of wack. So I thought I'd post some pics and ask for idea's
As you can see the gaps all the way around are pretty good, maybe not perfect, but pretty good.
Looking across the hood from the center of the car towards the outside note how it's flush at the top of the door, but low in the right hand front corner.
View from the front. I know it's getting old. But this is bugging me. Any ideas, thoughts, suggestions. Thanks guys.
My $.02
More than likely it's actually the body that has settled. If the headlight bar area has "sunk" or "raised" it will tip the headlight in the hole while more or less keeping it flush at the top where the bar is.
As you know, you can independently adjust the flush / below flush (up/down) at the two pivot bearings which are back behind the actual headlight so they affect the entire assembly. You can adjust the closed height of the entire assembly using the center stop bolt (if it isn't seized) but there isn't any way to adjust one corner by itself. Averaging all the corners a little is about the best you can do without getting it real deep.
M
The pivot bushings control the location of the assembly in the body. It's a PITA to adjust, but you need to loosen the 3 bolts holding the bearing to the housing and move accordingly. Loosen the collar to move it left/right. I've attached the AIM instructions also.
I have both the gen. G.M. service manual and The Assembly Manual for my 77. However the drawing in your 79 is different/ better than what I have in my 77 assembly manual. Adjusting the bearing housing seems of little use as there at the upper corners and it's the lower corner thats low. Nothing's seized, and all bushings seem in great shape. This is how it looks after doing all I could figure out. It was worse believe it or not. Body doesn't look warped or raised. I'm still looking for idea's.
I just adjusted both of my doors. I had one that was higher on the front inner corner than the front outer. Loosening the 3 bolts on the outer pivot collar and raising the door at that point lowered the inner corner. It should work in reverse as well
I was able to reach all 3 bolts with a small ratchet and socket from the top with the hood up.
Loosening the bolts will let the door sag at first so what I did was wedge a couple bits of vacuum hose in the lower gap. Getting it in place and tightening a bolt may require 3 hands.
Once you get it level across the front then you can adjust the height.
Last edited by BarryB72; Mar 26, 2020 at 07:40 PM.
Basically if I raise the left rear corner it should tip the right front corner down. Then once the front is level, adjust the height with the adjusting bolt. I get that. BUT, now I have the front level and my left rear corner is high. Doesn't seem to be worth the effort.
Headlight door alignment
