Headlight aiming...sorry newb here again....

Ok...don't shoot. I'm trying to wade thru all the opinions on easiest way to aim new headlights. I got 1.5" mini projectors with new housings. When shown on my garage door they have a very distinct Z pattern upper cutoff...being lower on the left raising up about 3" to the right, with a blue cutoff line on top. I read that on higher vehicles the cutoff line should be 2" lower than the center dot on the housing @ 25'. Mine sits right about 40" I verified that by "sighting" that dot into the center of the bulb and spotting my tape measure.

So, the bottom or (lowest part of the Z) at 38" @ 25'?

Thanks for the help.

 

You'll need a big, long ass screwdriver.

 

Actually not....only 6".

 

Mine's definitely bigger than 6", more like 8", and it fits in there just about right with a little room to spare.

 

Here is your official headlight adjustment tool. Be sure to keep in the vehicle. Can be used as a sword if needed in emergency situations.

 

I keep a lighter at the ready when at gas stations in the rougher parts of town. We're all gonna go to heaven, but it's gonna feel like hell for a minute.

 

I thought we were talking about aiming lights but now we are measuring our screwdrivers

 

Oh, we're measuring screwdriver shanks? In that case, the one I use for adjusting my headlights is a #3 and closer to 12". (j/k)

Seriously though, it takes a lot of length to get down in the hole and engage the adjuster. None of the standard-length screwdrivers I had would get down in there.

 

I don't understand why the giant screwdriver is needed. I've never needed anything like that. I just pop out the corner light and use a ratcheting 10mm to adjust up or down.

 

There's a non-obvious hole in the corner of the light fixture. Per the manual, you can stick a long philips head screwdriver down that hole and adjust the aim of the headlight up/down. This is the intended procedure to use for adjusting headlights, at least for my '06. Maybe your earlier year is different. Lemme find a pic of the adjuster hole and procedure, since it doesn't look like Noah's above shows how we later years adjust ours.

 

Work emergency got in the way.

Here's the updated image from above - doesn't show the insertion hole, but it shows you sticking a long screwdriver into the provisioned hole so you can rotate the little white gear. You don't need to pop off the turn signal housing and wrench on the gear:

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Hole is here on earlier models, I swear it's higher up and way deeper on my '06 AC with DRL:

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Screencap was taken from this video, start at the 1m58s mark, if it doesn't jump there automagically:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVHKr_Ou6BM#t=1m58s​

 

Here, for a later-model 1GT, two adjustment holes, note this isn't an OEM headlight:

 

I remember that now @shifty` but I honestly think it's easier and faster to use my 10mm ratcheting wrench with the corner light out. I didn't need that comically long screwdriver to do it the way you're showing but it was a lot slower. I've had to adjust my headlights a lot since going to projectors.

 

I did the ratcheting wrench as well.
https://youtu.be/bxLo-G1ODF0
https://youtu.be/VjSqKWFy_LE

 

Also good for tearing apart older window ACs to completely clean from top to bottom. At least for the whirlpool units.

 

Mine’s bigger than yours.

 

All this talk about shafts, holes and screwdrivers….

 

Yeah, but then you don't have the pointy sword under the seat.

 

I found this set to be a reasonably priced option, doesn't take up much room in the toolbox, and covers me for other scenarios as well. Quality on Neiko stuff is pretty decent, especially for the price. It doesn't make a very good sword though.

$13 NEIKO 10043A Extra Long Bit Set | 5-Piece | Cr-V Steel | 12" Length Phillips and Slotted Screwdriver Bits |1/4" Hex Shank | Power Driver Bit Set

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012Q54KW