I have a 2004 WRX with standard front headlamps. For my MOT the tester adjusted the switch inside the car to the highest position and this was fine most of the time.


I had to change the dipped beam headlight bulb again (mine seem to go about every three months). I then drove that evening at night and found that one of the bulbs was projecting very very high. I turned the switch right down in the car which helped, but the bulb is still very high on one side and doesn't line up with the other.


I have taken the units off the car and when putting the headlamps on the bench and looking at them from the front with a slight bird's eye view the two inside dishes are at different angles on each side. What I thought might have happened is that I have accidently pushed one of the dipped beam headlight dishes off the adjuster when fitting the last bulb.


I know that I should really put them back and get someone to check out the movement while I adjust the switch to see the range of movement but for one or two reasons I haven't been able to do that so easily first.


I thought I would find out if there is a common problem of this happening after a bulb change? Or any other ideas, recommendations etc as I am concerned that if I start taking the headlight apart it will move the adjuster and, a bit like a timing belt, I will not know where it should be...

 

In particular one of the things I was wondering is how the beam adjuster pivots the dish for the dipped beam. Does it do it one side or both.

 

If it's like a classic, it simply pushed the bottom in or out on a ball and socket joint...and yes, quite easy to dislodge