C5 Seized Headlight adjusters
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 734
Likes: 45
From: Over in the UK
C5 Seized Headlight adjusters
OK, so I realise this is a common issue.. the adjusters seizing in the plastic housings.. but my new headlight HID install has ground to a halt as I have some particularly stubbon SOB's!!
have tried many fluids, heat and as much pressure as possible.. but these things are pretty done...
so anyone managed to find a source or some answer? other than buying a set of full units for $1k and throwing away everything except the adjuster bolts
have tried many fluids, heat and as much pressure as possible.. but these things are pretty done...
so anyone managed to find a source or some answer? other than buying a set of full units for $1k and throwing away everything except the adjuster bolts
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,699
Likes: 147
I had to soak mine in penetrating oil overnight then gently turn them back and forth to unsieze them.
If all else fails you can use a vice and socket to "press" the seized
shaft until the case breaks.
It will hold together won't fall apart.
The adjuster will be broken and not work in the usual manner but you can take it out and use the vice socket method to move it in and out.
You can get the headlights pretty close after a few times.
Sticking out 1/4 - 3/8" on the back is a good start.
This worked ok on the first set I got with the car.
The ones I soaked I bought some headlight parts for 300.00 on ebay that had the adjusters.
If all else fails you can use a vice and socket to "press" the seized
shaft until the case breaks.
It will hold together won't fall apart.
The adjuster will be broken and not work in the usual manner but you can take it out and use the vice socket method to move it in and out.
You can get the headlights pretty close after a few times.
Sticking out 1/4 - 3/8" on the back is a good start.
This worked ok on the first set I got with the car.
The ones I soaked I bought some headlight parts for 300.00 on ebay that had the adjusters.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 739
From: Miami FL
Take a look at this approach:
...The golden rods were frozen. The P B Blaster didnt work and I broke one off. With nothing to loose I took the light golden rod gear box apart. It just snaps together. With the gear that is frozen on the shaft out, you can work it loose. I never have seen on the forum that you can take them apart and fix them. With the broken shaft, I just cut a slot in the shaft end for a screw driver after I had it all loosened up. Now they both adjust. Took the other apart and fixed it too.
Last edited by GCG; Mar 29, 2016 at 01:00 AM.
