headlight adjustment
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Houston, Texas
headlight adjustment
I have a 1997 f150 lariat. Can somebody tell me how do you adjust the headlights on the truck, I don't see any screws to adjust it. My right head light is lower than my left headlight.
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Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Wichita, Ks.
You need a aiming kit to be accurate but there are adjustment screws on the back side of the light assembley. They will probably be an inverted torx designed head. The outboard screw is for up and down, inboard left and right.
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Joined: Mar 2001
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Maybe I can help. I just replaced both headlights a month ago on my 98. This should be the same set-up as your 97. On mine, there are three adjustments, one at the top and two on the bottom. All three have wing nuts that move a threaded rod to the front of the truck or towards the back. These threaded rods are the frame that holds the headlight assembly in the truck. To remove the headlight assembly, look at your owners manual. The illustration will show you exactly how to remove the assembly (its actually pretty easy) Once inside you will see the adjustments in question.
I personally never use an aiming kit. I just park in front of a wall and can see visually if a light is off. Driving in a fog is good too.
I personally never use an aiming kit. I just park in front of a wall and can see visually if a light is off. Driving in a fog is good too.
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 270
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From: Longview, WA USA
Proper Adjustment Of Headlights ...
I bought a new set of headlights and so I went through this learning curve some time back. I am happy to share what I learned with you tgodiver.
First, remove the large black plastic cover over the radiator. If you look down behind the lights there are three small-headed bolts. The top two are for adjustment and the inside bottom one is designed for the other two to pivot on. The outside screw will adjust the light from side to side. The inside screw (upper) adjusts the light up and down. However, it is rather difficult to reach down inside there to turn them, even with the plastic cover removed, and a small ratchet wrench. So, I purchased a special tool that is designed just for that purpose. It cost me $16 at an autoparts store. It has a "zero" ratchet in one direction so you turn it over to adjust one way or the other. And you can ratchet
back and forth in small movements for fairly quick adjustment.
BTW, there is another way to tackle this problem: Pry and pull up the two headlight handles (sheetmetal "L" shaped") brackets until they release the small rubber keepers on the screws. Then you can remove the healight assembly. Once it is out, you can make all the adjustments, and re-install the headlight fixture to see if it is correct. If not, you'll have to do it again. Heck, I finally bought the wrench. It makes life a lot easier working in the dark.
There are specific intructions on adjusting your headlights on the Internet. I won't attempt to express that here. Go to Daniel Stern Lighting: http://lighting.mbz.org/tech/how_to/
I hope this helps you.
BillVoyles
'99 Bright Red Reg Cab Flareside 4.6 Auto - 3.08 Sleeper!
I bought a new set of headlights and so I went through this learning curve some time back. I am happy to share what I learned with you tgodiver.
First, remove the large black plastic cover over the radiator. If you look down behind the lights there are three small-headed bolts. The top two are for adjustment and the inside bottom one is designed for the other two to pivot on. The outside screw will adjust the light from side to side. The inside screw (upper) adjusts the light up and down. However, it is rather difficult to reach down inside there to turn them, even with the plastic cover removed, and a small ratchet wrench. So, I purchased a special tool that is designed just for that purpose. It cost me $16 at an autoparts store. It has a "zero" ratchet in one direction so you turn it over to adjust one way or the other. And you can ratchet
back and forth in small movements for fairly quick adjustment.
BTW, there is another way to tackle this problem: Pry and pull up the two headlight handles (sheetmetal "L" shaped") brackets until they release the small rubber keepers on the screws. Then you can remove the healight assembly. Once it is out, you can make all the adjustments, and re-install the headlight fixture to see if it is correct. If not, you'll have to do it again. Heck, I finally bought the wrench. It makes life a lot easier working in the dark.
There are specific intructions on adjusting your headlights on the Internet. I won't attempt to express that here. Go to Daniel Stern Lighting: http://lighting.mbz.org/tech/how_to/
I hope this helps you.
BillVoyles
'99 Bright Red Reg Cab Flareside 4.6 Auto - 3.08 Sleeper!
Last edited by Bill Voyles; Nov 24, 2001 at 07:07 PM.
