C5 headlight gear replacment, need instructions!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 7
From: Iowa
I just went out to try to adjust during lunch. it wasn't that bad at all. I fixed the up/down alignment easily. the front/back, left/right is the trick one. for everyone else who has to deal with it:
use a sharpie and mark where the frame is, make sure you put a mark so you can ID left/right and front/back movement. this will allow you to know how much you've moved.
loosen all 4 torx screws, but don't make them completely loose. they should be just loose enough that you can slide the frame around with little effort, you don't want it to be completely loose.
when you make your adjustments tigten down just one or two (opposite corners) of the frame torx screws so it won't move. be sure to hold the frame tightly as you tighten them down, it will want to slide as you tighten the screws.
put the cover back on and just hold it carefully in position, no need to screw it down. just make sure that you have all the mounting holes lined up juts like it will be when screwed on.
close the headlight to check your alignment and make mental notes of any additional adjustments needed.
raise it back up and keep doing this until you have it very near where you want. once satisfied tighten down all 4 of the torx screws being careful not to let the frame move at all while doing so. then put it all back together.
use the manual ***** to move the headlight up and down fully with the hood open and closed to make sure nothing will contact. if it does you could break the cover easily as its a very brittle substance (why did GM do that?)
I spent about 15 minutes doing this 4-5 times and have it pretty close to where it should be. when I get more time I'll spend more time with it and I really think I can get it perfect. right now I have just slightly more gap behind the covers as I do in front, and I think it would look better if I evened that out. I'm sure I can get that done. right now I have to run back to work for a meeting, so that's all for now. much improved over before however!
use a sharpie and mark where the frame is, make sure you put a mark so you can ID left/right and front/back movement. this will allow you to know how much you've moved.
loosen all 4 torx screws, but don't make them completely loose. they should be just loose enough that you can slide the frame around with little effort, you don't want it to be completely loose.
when you make your adjustments tigten down just one or two (opposite corners) of the frame torx screws so it won't move. be sure to hold the frame tightly as you tighten them down, it will want to slide as you tighten the screws.
put the cover back on and just hold it carefully in position, no need to screw it down. just make sure that you have all the mounting holes lined up juts like it will be when screwed on.
close the headlight to check your alignment and make mental notes of any additional adjustments needed.
raise it back up and keep doing this until you have it very near where you want. once satisfied tighten down all 4 of the torx screws being careful not to let the frame move at all while doing so. then put it all back together.
use the manual ***** to move the headlight up and down fully with the hood open and closed to make sure nothing will contact. if it does you could break the cover easily as its a very brittle substance (why did GM do that?)
I spent about 15 minutes doing this 4-5 times and have it pretty close to where it should be. when I get more time I'll spend more time with it and I really think I can get it perfect. right now I have just slightly more gap behind the covers as I do in front, and I think it would look better if I evened that out. I'm sure I can get that done. right now I have to run back to work for a meeting, so that's all for now. much improved over before however!
