Simon R

Hi, hope someone can help me

My STi 5 needed a replacement headlight, so I've done both sides. Got some DEFO crystal replacements from flea-bay

My problem is that the adjusters needed removing from my old headlights and screwing into the new ones ...

BUT

There's nothing in the new headlights for the screw thread end of the adjuster to screw into (or so it seems)

As one of the old headlights had a broken casing (don't ask), I decided to open it up to see how the old one was constructed and found a black piece of rectangular threaded plastic that looks like the retainer

The new headlight doesn't seem to have this AFAIK

The pictures should make it a little clearer what I'm trying to explain

Has anyone had similar experience, or can anyone offer any suggestions on a way forward? Currently my car is off the road, pending a new MOT, which obviously relies on the adjustment working correctly

The only thing I can currently think of, is to drill a hole into the NEW headlight, insert the black threaded piece (shown in the pictures below), and then put a closed grommet in the hole ?

Thanks guys

Simon

The original adjuster and the piece I removed from the old headlight


The same thing again but seperate (and blurred!)


The old and new casings of the headlights



Edited to say, just found out from the original vendor, that these headlights are for a car with an electrical adjuster. I assume that the adjusters work differently (other than being manual vs electrical). Anyone know the finer points ?

Simon R

bttt

Any help ? Can't get an MOT without working out to to fix these adjusters ;(

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

As I see it, you have two possible solutions, neither of which is cheap:

1) Get some manual adjuster lights, or,

2) Fit your car with electrical adjusters.

A third method, involving getting the vendoe to take back/swap the ones you have bought, would seem unlikely to work

Alcazar

Simon R

Thanks Alcazar

Perhaps electrical adjusters may be the way forward, although I can't see how they would work in the same situation

Anyone know the differences between the electrical vs manual adjusters (apart from the obvious!)

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

If it's owt like earlier Subarus, the wiring will probably be in place. It'll be a case of getting the motors, and a switch, from a breaker, or a dealer, and doing the wiring yourself.

You may find that electrical adjusters also have a manual adjust to them, so just fiting the electrical bits without the wiring would get it through it's MoT.

Try www.gradea-subaru.co.uk for bits.

Alcazar

doug2507

iTrader: (6)

Can you give us an update on progress with the lights mate? Bought the very same for mine and was unaware of this issue.

Simon R

Well.....it seems I'm not getting too far at the moment

I've spoken to the supplier of the lights to see if they can check any more of their stock

I'm assuming that whether the adjusters are electrical OR manual, the male spindle with the threaded end that fits inside the headlight MUST pass through a threaded "nut" (as per my pictures)

This "nut" does not seem to be present on either of my new headlights, yet is on my old one's (simply looking down the hole with a torch makes me think that, as obviously you can't dismantle them)

Doug ... if you have the same headlights, can you shed any light (pardon the pun) on the situation with yours ?

doug2507

iTrader: (6)

Not really. I'm abroad at the moment so i've not even seen them yet! Was waiting to see what the outcome with yourself was! Did they offer to give you a refund on the lights??? I would pressume there have been more people in the past that have had this problem.....

Simon R

The company that sold them to me is checking the rest of their batch to see if there is a defect

I'll let you know what they come back with !

doug2507

iTrader: (6)

Any update Simon...??

Simon R

No joy as yet. I left a message but had no reply, seems I'm going to have to start hassling unfortunately !!

Meanwhile, I have now managed to source a replacement O/S original STi 5 headlight, so at least I can get the car through it's MOT and back on the road (just as well, I've not driven it in 6 months !)

I'll post back when I get further details

doug2507

iTrader: (6)

I'll give them a call today and see what the crack with them is....

scoobtmart

I would like to know the out come of this as i have the same problem.

doug2507

iTrader: (6)

Completely forgot to phone them. I'll give them a ring tomorrow.

scoobtmart

any news yet????

scoobtmart

Now sorted mine out,went to my local scrapyard and got the adjusters off a 99 uk car with crystal lights that were smashed but the adjusters were still good, even thought they are electric ones they still can be adjusted manually.

doug2507

iTrader: (6)

been to busy with work till today for the snet. good to see there's been a solution.

Simon R

Well, I finally got to a solution, although hardly an ideal one

I managed to source a s/h headlight original STi unit , and have managed to get the company to refund me for the other units I was having problems with

If I *ever* have this problem in the future though, I'll remember to go hunt out some electric adjusters

Out of interest scoobtmart, what did the adjusters cost you ?