Headlamp Alignment

[jstrickl]

OK folks, a possible dumb question. I have always assumed that the vehicles headlamps were aligned either at the factory or dealer after delivery from the factory.

In either case, how should the lamps be aligned?

I ask because every time I park near a structure or pull up to my garage, my right lamp is significantly lower than the left. Last night I gave a couple turns on the adjustment screw (torx 15) and brought the right up to the same height as the left.

So now I have to consider both lamps either being correct height, being too high or being too low. Having SilverStars for OEM replacements, I know if they're too high people will let me know

Just curious if anyone else has misaligned lamps or if they are SUPPOSED to be staggered.

Jamie

 

[Ahhnuld]

Nope! they should be equal, not one higher than the other.

 

[Carnac]

If you want to align headlights (or check the alignment) - find a level area with a flat, light color wall that you can get about 15 to 20 feet away from. Point your Av square at the wall when it is evening or night with you HIGH beams on. Measure from the ground to the center of you headlight on your Av then take that measurement to the wall - the center bright spot should be the same height as at the truck (that is set them to level).

With the high beams set level - the low beams should then also be correct. Sometimes it is good to lower the driver's side light just a little to reduce the dazzle effect on other drivers (esp true with high trucks like the Av).

Of course you can check that the lights are straight-ahead at the same time.

The other thing that you can do is if you are having a wheel alignment done, have them check your headlight alignment at the same time - when the truck is on the alignment rack and all level and square, the mechanic should be able to give your headlights a good aiming too.

Cheers, Jim

 

[Guest User]

My experience goes back to the dual sealed beam lamps. Back then, weren't the low beams not only aimed down, but also to the right a bit to make life easier on oncoming traffic?

I'd guess that degree of flexibility has gone away with single lamps and non-sealed-beam designs.

 

[wrchism]

Last post mine!

 

[baron138]

I've got a school not far from my house. It is an all brick structure with level ground all around. The brick wall is perfect for aiming headlights. You have the mortar lines so you can make them perfectly level.

 

[jstrickl]

That's pretty much waht I did last night. My garage door is a solid core raised panel door. Used the daughters sidewalk chalk to mark the left and right lamp's box. Used the old Stanley 6' level to get em as close as I could. If you ever try it, you turn the screw and it ratchets - similar to your gas cap or oil fill cap. The only problem I could see is you figure you have to adjust them to one of the detents or it will vibrate into one anyway. You pick the one that most closely gives you the best alignment.

One thing's for sure - much easier to work on these headlights than any other car I've owned. It takes a LOT of effort to replace the lamps on an Expedition! There just isn't enough clearance for an adult paw to reach up there. Stuff has to be removed!

Jamie

 

[AVGator]

Found out the hard way what those 3-4" long vertical bolts with the torx head behind the headlamp assemblies do........

Noticed last week my driver side turnlamp assembly was protruding and not flush with the rest of the front of the AV; stuck out a good inch and a half.? After fiddling with it and the one on the other side for about 15 minutes, I decided "That bolt has got to have something to do with attaching the lamp assemblies."?

The bolt had been twisted to the side and was outside the "guide".? Re-aligned it, and I turned like no tomorrow- click, click, click - hmmmmm, doesn't look like anything is happening....let's try the other side......

Okay, lots of turning, nothing obvious.? Switch to plan two, there's got to be some clips in here somewhere in spite of my previous effort, and voila, popped out.? Reinserted the assembly into the (now) obvious clips.

Today, rainy day, headlights come on and reflect on my garage door, looks like a drunken soldier on shore leave.? One headlamp high, the other low and twisted sideways in reflection.? Try to use the bolt to re-align, but now the headlamp appears to rotate rather than move up and down.? Can't help but wonder if the bolt/assembly didn't get damaged (esp. since I found it twisted and to the side).

Seems obvious now, but.......

Thinking I'm going to have the dealer fix/align........