Adjusting headlights

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22centerdoor
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Adjusting headlights

Post by 22centerdoor » Sun May 01, 2022 12:28 am

I need to adjust my headlights upward. When using a plumb bob, they are about 1/4 out of adjustment. I know there is some special tool that Ford created to do bend that thick bar, but I don't have one. What have other done to adjust their headlights (up or down - not left/right) Thanks.

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TRDxB2
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Re: Adjusting headlights

Post by TRDxB2 » Sun May 01, 2022 12:46 am

Is this the tool you were thinking about?
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headlight adjuster.jpg
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22centerdoor
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Re: Adjusting headlights

Post by 22centerdoor » Sun May 01, 2022 1:34 am

That's the one!!

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rainer
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Re: Adjusting headlights

Post by rainer » Sun May 01, 2022 3:51 am

Hello.
I also had mis-aligned headlights.

Of course, you can try to get this adjustment tool, but you can also use a cheaper method, actually doing the same:

Franzose.jpg
Franzose.jpg (7.12 KiB) Viewed 1170 times
I took this kind of wrench and extended it with a piece of pipe. Total cost for me: 0.00 $ because I had the wrench.

Simply attach it to the headlight rod, make it sit tight with handle pointing to the front, slide over a piece of steel pipe, and carefully bend... makes for sure fewer dents than this original tool. At my Lizzy even the black paint on the rod was not damaged.

Rainer
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Allan
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Re: Adjusting headlights

Post by Allan » Sun May 01, 2022 7:02 am

A large railway type adjustable wrench can also be used. Crescent wrenches will not allow you to fit them to get the correct angle to bend the stem.While a spirit level will help, the lights should really be set against a surface in front of the car.

Hope this helps,
Allan from down under.


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Re: Adjusting headlights

Post by Ned L » Sun May 01, 2022 7:33 am

As TRD’s post indicates, headlights are not adjusted with a plumb bob. That will tell you nothing. The headlights need to be aimed at a wall to see where the beam is focused.
You want to adjust the beam of light, not the physical head light assembly. Sometimes the two can be quite different.

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22centerdoor
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Re: Adjusting headlights

Post by 22centerdoor » Thu May 26, 2022 2:10 pm

Thanks for all the advice. I ended using an old 30 inch pipe wrench to adjust the headlights. I was able to get enough leverage to bend the bracket. I did end up with a couple of tiny paint scratches that were easily covered up with touch-up paint.

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