Missing Headlight Adjusters?

[Bumpa]

In a previous thread I was complaining about the headlights on my 2002 Z3 being poorly aimed. Tony kindly posted a photo showing the adjusters. I had a look at mine this morning and it seems to me that the adjusters are missing - see photo. Within the circled areas there is a plastic cross-headed fitting which you access from above, its lower portion being like a little bevel gear. But there is nothing for it to mesh with, just a mess of some sort of white goo. As you can see there is neither adjuster on the right hand lamp, and on the left only one is there.

Does this mean that I will have to change the entire lamp unit on both sides? Something has to be done as the lamps will not pass an MoT due in December.

 

[t-tony]

Looks as though you need a pair of headlights I'm sorry to say @spurs fan in a coupe @Synclare @mrscalex

Tony.

 

[Lee]

Hang on a sec, Below the left yellow circle. Is that not the in car adjuster motor ?

 

[Faheem]

@t-tony Can't you use a pair of pliers to adjust the aim? One of mine is broken too but the tester was able to use pliers on the cog to correct the aim.

 

[t-tony]

Hang on a sec, Below the left yellow circle. Is that not the in car adjuster motor ?

Yes it is.

Tony.

 

[t-tony]

@t-tony Can't you use a pair of pliers to adjust the aim? One of mine is broken too but the tester was able to use pliers on the cog to correct the aim.

Not sure what you mean here mate. The cog turns another rod which adjusts the alignment.

Tony.

 

[Bumpa]

There is an electric adjuster but it only adjusts the height, whereas I need to change the horizontal aim. Looking on ebay there are several Z3 headlamps for sale but they all have the orange lens indicator, whereas my 2002 model uses a clear indicator lens with an orange bulb. Can these bits be swapped over?

 

[colb]

Yes you can de tango the headlights but it involves putting them in an oven to soften the mastic sealer so you can pull them apart to get at the amber lens to remove it. Try a search on forums for de tango to see what is involved.
This link on Zroadster.net
http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=28760&p=269480
will show whats involved however all the pictures have disappeared due to the photobucket fiasco.

 

[hard top]

You do not need to go onto another forum for the required info as we have it all on here....
'Search Forum' is your friend.
The section is called 'Articles' and members don't take the time out to post this stuff up on here for nothing.
I suggest that members get acquainted with this forum first before posting up useless links.

https://zroadster.org/articles/bmw-z3-detango-headlights-and-halos-added.39/

 

[colb]

Tried that didn't come back for me.

 

[hard top]

Its not rocket science ....... https://zroadster.org/articles/?category=bmw-z3-modifications&id=279

 

[Bumpa]

Referring back to my original photo at the top of this thread, the white goo was some sort of hard setting compound, probably to prevent the adjusters turning on their own. I chipped it off and can now turn the metal spindles quite easily with pliers, so will see after dark if they work.

 

[mrscalex]

Hopefully you are in business as you can turn the spindles. It's not so pretty without the plastic knobs but doesn't really matter as long as you can adjust them.

I have a clear headlight set if you do require them. But I really wouldn't replace them unless you have to. I only look for the market rate but these items are in good demand and a decent pair will set you back £200-£250.

There are 3 types of adjustment associated with the headlamps:

1. Fit of the lamp body within the bumper and bonnet aperture. This is via the large plastic bolts that the 4 mounts sit on. This is not anything to do with adjusting headlamp aim. It's purely to ensure the correct gap all round
2. The motorised adjustment is to raise and lower the height of the beam from the cabin using the thumb wheel on the dashboard. Again this is nothing to do with aim as such and is to compensate for loading of the car and the effect 2 large ar*ses and luggage have on the height of the beam
3. The 2 thumb wheels that adjust the vertical and lateral position of the beam. These are the adjusters the OP is asking about and the only ones which are responsible for beam alignment.

@t-tony might like to confirm but my understanding is that not only is (3) obviously in the MOT but I believe (2) has to be operational these days as well?

 

[mrscalex]

Its not rocket science ....... https://zroadster.org/articles/?category=bmw-z3-modifications&id=279

@Davyhoogy may have something to say on that one @hard top

 

[hard top]

@Davyhoogy may have something to say on that one @hard top

I was taking about navigating the forum.....

 

[mrscalex]

I was taking about navigating the forum.....

Shame to let the truth get in the way of having a laugh

 

[hard top]

Shame to let the truth get in the way of having a laugh

If you are on about headlights, have a word with @Faheem

 

[Faheem]

I'm properly confused @hard top

 

[Rudyrov]

Liking those halos, might try those!

 

[Momo77]

Did you have much luck in sorting out your headlight adjusters?
Mine were rusted, i losened them with oil and wd40 now they move.
But my mot tester asked i shoukd replace yhe headlights, i said no. They work and they are adjustable but it seems he is not interested in getting a pair of pliers to adjust.
Taking it somewhere else on Thursday.
Let me know if there is any hacks thst could help