Notices

Headlight alignment problem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 17 November 2006, 06:33 PM
  #1  
ScuuBdoo
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
 
ScuuBdoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Ireland
Posts: 927
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Headlight alignment problem

I had my headlights aligned before the NCT/MOT but still failed it. So I brought it back to the garage who said "thats the best we can do with them" "they wont alignment any better than that". I even asked the garage to try different bulbs as I was using PIAA super bright bulbs but they still wont align with normal H4 bulbs. The mechanic says there must be something wrong with the actual headlight.

So, the mechanic suggested that my only option now is to buy a pair of new headlights and try aligning those ones.
These are the headlights I have. Standard SUBARU parts as far as I can tell.


Anybody had problems aligning their headlights on a 98 STi?

Is it the fact that they are Crystal Headlights that they wont align?

Last edited by ScuuBdoo; 17 November 2006 at 08:49 PM.
Old 17 November 2006, 07:55 PM
  #2  
T_H_E__c_R_O_W
Scooby Regular
 
T_H_E__c_R_O_W's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Dundee
Posts: 234
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

My 98 wagon points in the sky im going to get it looked into with these dark nites. So i will let you know. (do u know which one of adjuster is the up/down?)
Old 18 November 2006, 11:58 PM
  #3  
andy_s37
Scooby Regular
 
andy_s37's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Nr Liverpool
Posts: 672
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Its not really a concrete answer for you mate but i had a similar problem, have a look at this....

https://www.scoobynet.com/lighting-o...eadlights.html

It may be that they are after market ones and the adjuster doesn't fit properly. I'm going to get some 6mm stud, put a weld on the end and grind it down.

Andy.
Old 19 November 2006, 12:31 AM
  #4  
Chelspeed
Scooby Regular
 
Chelspeed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,873
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Not strictly the same but similar.

On a MY02 bug eye I found the headlights were too low for me even on fully raised adjustment. I undid all the bolts, removed the headlights and refitted them with washers under the bottom set of bolts and pop in pins. After that I ran on height setting 2 normally when before that setting 1 had been too low.

Sounds like you need to take it to a helpful back street garage that emplys proper old school mechanics who are prepared to approach these things with some thought. Your current garage sounds like one that only employs rote learned muppets who just mindlessly tests things and replace with new (at your expense) if there's the slightest problem.
Old 19 November 2006, 09:07 AM
  #5  
alcazar
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (2)
 
alcazar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Rl'yeh
Posts: 40,781
Received 27 Likes on 25 Posts
Question

I can only see part of a number plate on your car, but it DOESN'T look like UK?

Are you sure you don't have, say, LHD lights on an RHD car? Or RHD lights being driven on the continent, etc?

Failing that, aftermarket lights COULD be the culprit.

Stand the car about 4 metres from a wall, and put the lights on dip beam.
Look at the beam pattern on the wall.

For a RHD car driven on the left, (UK, Japan, Australia etc), you should see the following:

\____ \____

For a LHD car driven on the RIGHT, (Europe, USA etc), you should see this:

____/ ____/

HTH Alcazar
Old 19 November 2006, 02:18 PM
  #6  
ScuuBdoo
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
 
ScuuBdoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Ireland
Posts: 927
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

thanks for all the replies guys you have been most helpful.

Alcazar. I have a JDM STi driving in Ireland.

Your corecet in stating that this diagram is what I should have... \___

In the test the downward angle line is perfect but the straight line is coming out all over the place. So I have this instead
\
\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Whoever had the car in Japland has installed the Crystal Clear headlights and I think thats what is causing the problems.

Now I just have to find 2 standard headlights from somewhere

Last edited by ScuuBdoo; 19 November 2006 at 05:17 PM.
Old 19 November 2006, 03:04 PM
  #7  
powerman1
Scooby Regular
 
powerman1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: cuckoo land
Posts: 1,472
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

borrow some and refit the old ones when the MOT is passed..done it for years with bald tyres..only joking
Old 19 November 2006, 04:09 PM
  #8  
alcazar
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (2)
 
alcazar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Rl'yeh
Posts: 40,781
Received 27 Likes on 25 Posts
Default

Try breakers, and/or borrow a pair. A pity you're not closer, I have a pair of '98 lights sitting in my loft, as I've fitted Morettes, you could have borrowed those.

Alcazar
Old 19 November 2006, 05:17 PM
  #9  
ScuuBdoo
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
 
ScuuBdoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Ireland
Posts: 927
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I borrowed a pair of standard lights. Just have to book a retest now. I will post back if I pass.

thanks.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
KAS35RSTI
Subaru
27
04 November 2021 07:12 PM
Abx
Subaru
22
09 January 2016 05:42 PM
bugeyejohn
Wanted
4
06 November 2015 02:31 PM
Ganz1983
Subaru
5
02 October 2015 09:22 AM
Wouldie
ScoobyNet General
4
29 September 2015 05:12 PM



Quick Reply: Headlight alignment problem



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 07:10 AM.