Headlight alignment?

L

Linz

"I Love Seamen"

Founding Member

Jul 24, 2001

1,551

0

36

Northern Virginia

Jun 29, 2004

#1

• Jun 29, 2004

• #1

OK so today I got my car saftey inspected (I dont know about anyone elses state, but here in Va, you have to have a yearly saftey check up) and I failed cuz my headlights were misaligned. How in the world do you fix that? I looked it up in Haynes and Chiltons, but all it tells you is how to replace the bulbs.

I also failed saftey because I had no cats... I was like hey, thats emissions... not saftey, but he's like I can fine you and blah blah blah.

 

Mavrick

Founding Member

Aug 29, 2002

2,264

0

46

Collingwood, ON

Jun 29, 2004

#2

• Jun 29, 2004

• #2

I think there is a tool you get from ford. On the back of the housing, there are 3 long screws that will tilt your headlights up/down/sideways (kinda). I didnt have the tool, so i removed my headlight, adjusted, and reinstalled until i had the rigth angle. I then measured the gaps between the screws and applied the same measurements to the other side, and i have evenly adjusted headlights.

 

3

347 Special

New Member

Nov 27, 2003

78

0

0

las vegas

Jun 29, 2004

#3

• Jun 29, 2004

• #3

OK , at night park in your driveway turn your headlights on(or faceing a wall) you will see along the outer rim of your headlights there are screws. Those are the adj. screws. Not sure how yours are, too high , too low , left-right you never said. So fiddle with em till you get it right. Its easy, if you've ever had a lowered car you probably ahd to move em up a bit.

 

R

ratrapp

New Member

Apr 24, 2004

510

0

0

buena vista,va

Jun 29, 2004

#4

• Jun 29, 2004

• #4

yes you do have to have cats in va.,the inspector was right about that.9 out of 10 inspectors don't check headlight alignment but if they find something as obvious as no cats or other major problems it's like an open invitation to knitpick.most inspectors aren't as picky as long as people don't come in knowing they're going to fail but then complain when you say you have no brakes or 4 slick tires and act mad or surprised.i know this because i've been an inspector for almost 4 years now and by the way it's not just a safety inspection.

 

MahFiVeOh

Founding Member

Apr 26, 2002

531

9

49

Ontario, Canada

Jun 29, 2004

#5

• Jun 29, 2004

• #5

I did mine the same way as 347 Special stated when i bought my car.If i recall the screws were not standard screws, torx maybe? I can't remember.But anyways its real easy to do.
The funny thing is one of my lights pointed up into the trees when i went around a corner

 

89SportVert

Active Member

Jun 29, 2002

283

13

29

Vancouver, WA

Jun 29, 2004

#6

• Jun 29, 2004

• #6

$30 and the dealership will do it for ya.

 

ECU5.0

Banned

Jan 10, 2004

1,803

1

0

raleigh, nc

Jun 29, 2004

#7

• Jun 29, 2004

• #7

umm...they can check them for yu and fail you for your headlights but not adjust them for you. we used to check headlights and fix them if they were out of whack.