Fixing the head lamp adjuster, but need some advice.

aseem · aseem's Garage

I'm currently giving the headlight adjuster an overhaul following this write-up from rennlist: Headlight Height Adjuster Overhaul - Rennlist Discussion Forums

The only problem I have is that I'm unable to get any oil into the actuator. I have it fully extended in a rig, but cant get any oil into it, as it is coming out of the brass nipple as soon as i start squirting it in. If I release the actuator arm just a teeny drop of oil comes out.

Anyone out there that has done the servicing to the head lamp adjuster; I would appreciate some tips regarding the actuator.

Thanks

Alan in AZ · 10-01-2014, 06:41 AM

These don't exist on USA cars - and were often removed from imported Euro cars so there aren't many US owners who know anything at all about it...

Good luck - hope you can figure it out/get help somewhere. Maybe UK/German/French forums might have more experience with it.

Alan

AirtekHVAC · AirtekHVAC's Garage

Alan, my 78 has this setup, and is a US car, seems like a few of the very early cars squeaked through with it. Of course, on my poor heap, it is in about as bad a shape as the rest of the car, and I have not had the time to toy with it yet...rather low on the list.

OP, good luck, keep us posted.

Alan in AZ · 10-01-2014, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AirtekHVAC

Alan, my 78 has this setup, and is a US car, seems like a few of the very early cars squeaked through with it. Of course, on my poor heap, it is in about as bad a shape as the rest of the car, and I have not had the time to toy with it yet...rather low on the list.

OP, good luck, keep us posted.

You sure they are adjusters and not just 'dummys'? - USA got dummy adjusters that fit in the same space but don't move

Alan

Telanai · 10-01-2014, 10:42 PM

Been through this trauma recently. The adjusters can be filled by submerging in fluid and then extending the piston, this will draw in the fluid, then place in the "special tool" to hold them open. I filled the lines (new in my case, nylon 12 from amazon) with syringes from the front so filling the master cylinder. Finally assemble the actuators to the lines and install on headlights...........then discover that the actuator seals are leaking and are not repairable

Now buy a complete new headlight adjuster system from Design 911 (or other) and install to your car. YMMV good luck!

Joe.
'87 S4 auto

AirtekHVAC · AirtekHVAC's Garage

Yikes joe!

Alan, it's the full Monty, tubing and all! It was a good discussion topic when I first joined, and at SITM. #29, which was recently posted on Rennlist also appears to have it, although we don't know if it is a dummy, it came out right ahead of mine....

I wonder if there are little servos that can be bought to replace the existing actuators?

riber.bentsen · riber.bentsen's Garage

There are servos.

On the GTS and maybe some late GTs and S4s the system was replaced with an electric system.

Alan in AZ · 10-02-2014, 09:06 AM

Yes I have the 1990-1995 electric adjuster system retrofitted to my USA GTS - works well - but installation is a lot of awkward wiring work. I posted a thread on it on rennlist a long time ago. It is a much more reliable system than the hydraulic adjusters. There are a few other RL threads but few have done it. It only makes sense if you have H4 headlamps - since they are the only ones that actually pivot. In total this makes it an expensive project.

Alan