Stock headlight beams bounce, bulbs seem very loose in housing

[absentmathis]

Hey guys, this is on my mom's 99 528. When driving, even smaller bumps have started to make the headlight beams bounce, moreso on the driver side. The housings are very secure and have never been removed. They also do not seem to be adjusting at all any more. The driver side is aimed very low, but turning the screw does not seem to do anything.

I noticed if I grab the bulb's plug end (when latched into housing) that I can easily wiggle the bulb and socket, and that it moves the high beam as well. When doing this, the chrome bulb surround move easily with the bulb. It's like I can aim it where it should be aimed with my fingers, but as soon as I let it go, it's right back aimed on the ground.

Is there some sort of rubber bushing that gets worn out on these? Has something popped loose within the housing? Any thoughts much appreciated.

ETA: Halogens, non auto leveling of course.

[jamesdc4]

Your adjusters are broken and need replacement.

[absentmathis]

Your adjusters are broken and need replacement.

Thanks, I searched before posting but did not figure that out until just now. It might just be time for some new lights altogether. Are there any affordable options that don't have the ricey corner look?

[pleiades]

The adjusters (one pair per headlamp assembly) are extremely cheap, probably no more than $10 a pair; you only need to have the skill to open the housings and replace them.

Three minutes to remove one housing from the car, three more to unsnap and carefully separate the front lens section from the rear housing section, and 15 minutes to slowly pop the relfector off the old adjusters and pivots and install the replacements. Some people have a tough time pressing the adjuster ball pivots back into the reflector holes; it's just a matter of careful pressure (don't touch the reflectors' front sides with tools or dirty fingers ..... they are plastic with deposited aluminum and it comes off quite easily. Ask me how I know....

You can spend $20-30 for the adjusters or $300 and up for a new pair of headlights.

[fudman]

Here's the DIY http://www.bmwtips.com/tipsntricks/headlightadjustment/Adjustment-fix.htm

[absentmathis]

Cool, thanks guys. I've cracked them open before just never from a five. Not too worried about that, these are just really, really cloudy too. I've refinished lens before also but it never lasts. And it would be nice to have hids on the car anyway. I'll prob just defer to whatever my dad wants to do and give him a hand, if that's repair thats fine.

Any ~$300 range options (new) other than Chepo P39s and DJs?

[ganesht]

look into the (i think) dj's with the fx-r projectors already retrofitted...

pics: http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e39-m5-e52-z8-discussion/153594-dj-auto-headlights-w-fx-r-projectors-pics.html