Headlight Alignment

[carmad]

My headlight beams are totally misaligned, what is the procedure for adjusting them without going to my mechanic.

[911nut]

There's 2 black grommets (or holes if your car is an older one) on the headlight bezel. One on top and one on the side. These will allow you to move the cradle without removing the bezel, assuming the cradle isn't rusted into it's present position.

Park your car 10 meters away from a wall (I used my garage door). Put a horizontal line on the wall 2 meters up from the ground.

If the lights are H-5's there will be a sharp light-to-dark transition at the top of the beam as seen on the wall. put that transition on the line.

This gets you close. Now drive the car to see where each headlight is pointing. The left should be pretty much straight ahead. The right should be biased toward the curb somewhat. Also, check the high beam elevation. If it's too high you'll have to lower the lights a little bit.

[billwagnon]

911nut,

On a 73 are the holes inside or outside?

[911nut]

If the holes are there, they are on the outside of the bezel and easily seen. I'm not sure if the pre-'74 cars have them. If your '73 doesn't have them you will have to remove your bezel to do the adjustment, which is no big deal.