How to adjust headlights?

king ranch · #1 11-18-2010, 10:00 PM

I have a 2001 f150 and I am trying to aim my headlights up and down and left to right w/e is needed to correct the light output and adjust the beams. I know how to get the lights out but are the little 3 screws with like black round things on them to adjust the lights or what?

Thanks

2stroked · #2 11-19-2010, 06:10 PM

You have correctly identified the three adjusting screws in the back of each headlight housing. The official way of adjusting any of them is to buy the special tool from your friendly, local Snap-On or Mac guy that looks like a long handled Gear Wrench. It turns the shaft on the adjusters in or out to re-aim the headlight housings.

king ranch · #3 11-19-2010, 06:24 PM

Cant you use a pair of pliers or such or anything laying around the garage would work?

2stroked · #4 11-20-2010, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by king ranch

Cant you use a pair of pliers or such or anything laying around the garage would work?

You might be able to, but I think you'll find it a royal PITA due to how far down the adjusters are behine the headlight in front of the core support.

Here's an alternate method I used once. Figure out which adjuster needs to go which way to get the headlight pointed where you want. Then remove the housing by using the two release levers shown in your Owner's Manual. Once the housing is out, grab the end of the adjuster in question with a small pair of Vise Grips to prevent it from turning. Then turn the plastic piece on the adjuster in the appropriate direction. Next, make sure you line the adjusters up properly before re-installing the housing. Check for aim and re-do as needed. It takes more time, but if you don't have the proper tool, it works.

hunter3014 · #5 11-20-2010, 04:51 PM

on my 99 f250 superduty, there are 2 screws and you just turn each of them and the move left and right and up and down. and mine are regular bolts.

2stroked · #6 11-20-2010, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hunter3014

on my 99 f250 superduty, there are 2 screws and you just turn each of them and the move left and right and up and down. and mine are regular bolts.

That's a whole different truck and body style with entirely different adjusters.

hunter3014 · #7 11-22-2010, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2stroked

That's a whole different truck and body style with entirely different adjusters.

right.. which is why i said on my 99' f250
oh and it was same on my buds suv