HELP: euro headlights install questions

[billhao]

I got a pair of depo IV headlights with HIDs. When I was tightening the five screws for each headlight, I wasn't able to make them fit to the best position (2.5mm gap from the lower part, 1.5mm gap from the front of hood as taken from the bently manual). And the left one is further away from the kidney grille. Since the five screws all affect the position of the lamp. So it's like when I had the horizontal level matched, the other positions won't match well. I really appreciate any input on how to properly adjusting the positions.

Here are the picture for the lamps.
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_sYuKk9W69XA/SpscD8KMiNI/AAAAAAAAIGc/P5vurh-XR98/s400/RIMG0590.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sYuKk9W69XA/Spsb77PuzQI/AAAAAAAAIGY/gY7taLaXb2Y/s400/RIMG0589.JPG

[slocar]

That's e36 build quality for you. My plastic stockers look about like that; and I can't adjust them any more. I cringe every time I look at it from close up.

[LagWagon]

those plastic screw dealies that you put your top bolts into are going to be the fix for this ... you need to hold them while you tighten everything, They tend to screw inwards while tightening the top mounting bolts.

I know I'm not very technical, but thats what makes sense to me, ha.

[billhao]

those plastic screw dealies that you put your top bolts into are going to be the fix for this ... you need to hold them while you tighten everything, They tend to screw inwards while tightening the top mounting bolts.

I know I'm not very technical, but thats what makes sense to me, ha.

Ya, I know this. I tried to put some of the plastic screw outside a little bit. It helped. But the final product, as you can see, is still not satisfying.

Are there any specific steps to follow for adjusting these screws and bolts?

[doogee]

Nothing wrong with the build quality.

You just need to fiddle more.

[inked666e36]

those plastic screw dealies that you put your top bolts into are going to be the fix for this ... you need to hold them while you tighten everything, They tend to screw inwards while tightening the top mounting bolts.

I know I'm not very technical, but thats what makes sense to me, ha.

definitely can be adjusted more, even my stock lights *euro came stock in oz* fit like that if you dont tweak them to fit right, take your time and have patients it will fit flush if you keep working on it.

[fivefreshfish]

those plastic screw dealies that you put your top bolts into are going to be the fix for this ... you need to hold them while you tighten everything, They tend to screw inwards while tightening the top mounting bolts.

I know I'm not very technical, but thats what makes sense to me, ha.


The two bottom plastic screws are circled and you can see the three top ones facing you.

http://www.members.shaw.ca/trust.no.one/TSXZKW/MountingPoints1.t.JPG (http://www.members.shaw.ca/trust.no.one/TSXZKW/MountingPoints1.JPG)



Using the plastic screws, you can align the headlights pretty much where you want them. These are ZKW housings. I can't see the Depo housings being much different.

http://www.members.shaw.ca/trust.no.one/TSXZKW/FinishedHeadlight01.t.JPG (http://www.members.shaw.ca/trust.no.one/TSXZKW/FinishedHeadlight01.JPG) http://www.members.shaw.ca/trust.no.one/TSXZKW/FinishedHeadlight02.t.JPG (http://www.members.shaw.ca/trust.no.one/TSXZKW/FinishedHeadlight02.JPG)

[slocar]

definitely can be adjusted more, even my stock lights *euro came stock in oz* fit like that if you dont tweak them to fit right, take your time and have patients it will fit flush if you keep working on it.
If they're flush with the grille, you have a huge gap between it and the corner light. If they are flush with the corner light, you have a huge gap between it and the grille. You can have the gap evened out, but flush ... nope.

[fivefreshfish]

If they're flush with the grille, you have a huge gap between it and the corner light. If they are flush with the corner light, you have a huge gap between it and the grille. You can have the gap evened out, but flush ... nope.

The corner light is attached to the side of the headlight so you can't adjust this gap.

There should be a small gap between the headlight housing and any painted body part.

[LockDots]

The corner light is attached to the side of the headlight so you can't adjust this gap.

There should be a small gap between the headlight housing and any painted body part.


Actually there's a part on the corner lights that sometimes kicks it out away from the headlight a bit. Especially if they're aftermarket corners and/or lights.

If you look closely at the part of the corner (the part you can't see when mounted) that rests against the headlight assembly, you should be able to see some areas you can sand or dremel down a bit.

That's how I got my aftermarket corners and headlights to fit properly.

Also, has the car ever been hit or bumped another car? Sometimes it's really hard to see but the nose panel may be just a tiny bit bent. It's a possibility.

[billhao]

Thanks fivefreshfish for the nice pictures. I know where the five bolts are. The top three are easy to reach and adjust. But for the two in the bottom, it's really hard to adjust the plastic screw when I had the lamps in. Especially for the one that is close to the grille, I can't get the wrench in there. So, how do you adjust the height of that one?

To LockDots84, you are right. My bumper was hit a year ago and nose panel indeed is bent a little bit inward for the drive side.

[LockDots]

there you go :)

I'm actually having a newer style nose panel painted for me at the moment for that very reason.

Someone backed up into it, so i figured instead of just replacing, why not replace with newer style for matte black grills.

[billhao]

there you go :)

I'm actually having a newer style nose panel painted for me at the moment for that very reason.

Someone backed up into it, so i figured instead of just replacing, why not replace with newer style for matte black grills.

How much does it cost?

[fivefreshfish]

Thanks fivefreshfish for the nice pictures. I know where the five bolts are. The top three are easy to reach and adjust. But for the two in the bottom, it's really hard to adjust the plastic screw when I had the lamps in. Especially for the one that is close to the grille, I can't get the wrench in there. So, how do you adjust the height of that one?



No problem. Those pics are from my DIY thread.

Adjust the five screws so your headlight sits how you want it. First bolt in the lower one nearest to the grill. I can't remember exactly how I did it but I didn't use any special tools.

IIRC I used a stubby wrench for the passenger side. Reach in from beside the rad and there's a rectangular opening where you can insert the wrench. Long bent-nose pliers may also work.

For the drivers side, I may have used my fingers or I might have used a long flathead screwdriver blade jammed under the plastic screw to prevent it from spinning while bolting in the housing.

Do the middle top plastic screw last. You could even omit this one and run with four bolts if you happen to be missing one.


How much does it cost?

I bought mine on ebay for about $30 delivered. This was a couple of years ago.

http://www.members.shaw.ca/trust.no.one/TSXZKW/FinishedHeadlight11.t.JPG (http://www.members.shaw.ca/trust.no.one/TSXZKW/FinishedHeadlight11.JPG)

[LockDots]

I got an oem one for 75 shipped

[Xz Dark Star zX]

Nothing wrong with the build quality.

You just need to fiddle more.

+1


remember, aiming your lights is a different set of screws