Headlight adjusters

[inkey$]

Got myself a pair of OEM headlights to replace the aftermarket ones on my car, but wanted to ask a question around the adjuster knobs.

One of them turns fine (almost too fine), but doesn’t seem very attached to the main body of the headlight. Are they held in place in any special way? Quite keen to a) not lose it and b) ensure it still adjusts.

Any ideas?

 

[t-tony]

Attach a small.pair of Mole Grips to the end of the steel shaft in picture 2, and see if it turns. Chances are it is seized and has chewed the middle out of the black plastic gear. (Which would be why it turns freely).

Tony.

 

[Stevo7682]

Before turning spray a bit of wd40 ( or similar) they seize then when the plastic wheel used breaks .
They only seize the first bit .
This this what it looks like stripped out of a lamp unit

Stephen.

 

[inkey$]

Many thanks gents. Once again, Z3org logic helps out

 

[Nodzed]

Agree, fixed a few this way, just be gentle to start once the lube is on and keep working left/right to begin, once free it should turn easily. I fix the knobs back on with metal putty great stuff for many repairs and it does go off like steel.

LINK

 

[inkey$]

Agree, fixed a few this way, just be gentle to start once the lube is on and keep working left/right to begin, once free it should turn easily. I fix the knobs back on with metal putty great stuff for many repairs and it does go off like steel.

LINK

So metal putty the black knurled knob back onto the adjuster bar when freed up?

 

[Stevo7682]

So metal putty the black knurled knob back onto the adjuster bar when freed up?

Yes bond knob back on once free
Metal putty or epoxy resin.
Job done.

Stephen.

 

[GZed]

Agree, fixed a few this way, just be gentle to start once the lube is on and keep working left/right to begin, once free it should turn easily. I fix the knobs back on with metal putty great stuff for many repairs and it does go off like steel.

LINK

Wish I’d known this trick earlier! I’ve splashed out on new (well, second hand) lights for my red Zed, thinking the adjusters were seized, only to find the replacements were not much better…
That’s one of the great things about this forum- people with such a wealth of knowledge & experience who are happy to share it

 

[inkey$]

Wish I’d known this trick earlier! I’ve splashed out on new (well, second hand) lights for my red Zed, thinking the adjusters were seized, only to find the replacements were not much better…
That’s one of the great things about this forum- people with such a wealth of knowledge & experience who are happy to share it

This forum is worth its weight in gold

 

[Nodzed]

So metal putty the black knurled knob back onto the adjuster bar when freed up?

Yep just clean the ends of the adjusters first and leave the putty without turning them for a few hours