Adjusting headlights/aiming beams on 97 T-bird

[97tbird]

Hi,

I'm pretty sure my headlights need adjusting: with low beams on, the only thing i can see is a dim patch of light right in front of the car; it 's useless, 'cause it sort of just points straight down, only illuminating a very small area right in front of the car; no big difference with high beams on; if I leave the high beams on, noone flashes their lights at me, so I know they look just like my low beams..probably worse than low beams of a normal car...this really is a safety issue now, and I'm weary of driving at night. I don't see signs on the side of the road or above anymore.(it's so bad that my wife keeps asking me "are your headlights even on?")

I have Silverstar bulbs, and my lenses are clear, so I know the problem is that the beams are not aimed/adjusted(car does have 98k miles).

SO: How do I do this? I see 2 plastic "nobs" protruding out of the lense on each headlight...do these hook-up to something? or are there any screws anywhere? or can only a pro at a dealer do this?

Any advice is very welcome, and thanks a lot for all the help so far, [especially with my previous "?" about emissions.]

Thanks in advance.

 

[seotaji]

after you fix the alignment. ditch the silverstars and go to walmart and get the high output (HO) bulbs from GE.

less than $15, no light robbing coatings and much better for the money.

 

[Gary Allan]

...errr let me look

Try this solution:

You'll need:
Tape Measure;
Flat wall (I use my garage door!)

Vertical adjustment:

1. Park about 25 feed from the wall on the level!
2. Measure the height of the headlights, at their center.
3. Measure the height of the light beam at its center (as cast on the wall).
4. Adjust the LOW beam so the center of the beam is about 2" below center of the headlight height.
5. If you have done the adjustment correctly the High Beam should follow, it's locked in.

If you make a two-inch error at 25 feet, the error compounds with distance. It becomes an error of about two feet, 300 feet distant. 300 feet is a point at
which you should be able to view a person.

Horizontal Adjustment:

Repeat steps 1 - 4, only, measure the separation between the headlight centers. The separation of beams, center to center, on the wall should be the same as the headlights.
5. Move the Low Beam about 2 inches to the right.

I think this will get you in the ballpark.

[ August 09, 2004, 12:43 PM: Message edited by: Gary Allan ]

 

[digitaldrifter91]

what model number is the headlights? if its a 9006 then u can put the high beam (9005) in the lows with a bit of modification for mroe light.


heheh i adjust my headlights by eye...as long as i have a low horizontal cut off and nothing in peoples eyes im great.

 

[97tbird]

Thanks for the replies, all of you.

Sorry: I should have been more specific in my post: I was actually looking for info about where to find the adjusting screws(does it even have any? I know the pre-96 birds do, but I don't see them in mine...they chnaged the headlight design in 96-97) or: what those stubs protruding out of the headlight lensess are..(perhaps for an aligining machine??).

I know in most cars this is DIY thing; but I'm beginning to have doubts about mine...they just look too weird.

Gary Allen: I'm greatful for the valuable info about the actual aiming procedure.

About SilverStar: I did have the GE bulbs. The SilverStars are much brighter...(perhaps it's a different model GE bulb that you mention? I'd look for it the next time).

And my bulbs are 9007.

 

[moribundman]

The little stubs are there so you can put a headlight aiming device properly on the lens. It basically lets you set the up/down angle of the beam. You want the beam horizontal on DOT headlights.

Not all Sylvania/Osram Silverstars are coated. I have clear ones.

 

[97tbird]

quote:

---

Originally posted by moribundman:
The little stubs are there so you can put a headlight aiming device properly on the lens. It basically lets you set the up/down angle of the beam. You want the beam horizontal on DOT headlights.

---

ah! Thanks. who has/uses those aiming devices? the dealer?or any auto shop?
(my car will be inspected soon, i'm thinking of getting this done, IF this aiming device is neccesary for my particular car)

 

[seotaji]

quote:

---

Not all Sylvania/Osram Silverstars are coated. I have clear ones.

---

the euro silverstars are clear and are the best bulbs i've ever used.

quote:

---

About SilverStar: I did have the GE bulbs. The SilverStars are much brighter...(perhaps it's a different model GE bulb that you mention? I'd look for it the next time).

---

GE sells a regular, cool blue, and high output (HO) version of their bulbs. You can find them all at wal-mart. The only ones I'd reccomend would be the HO, since they aren't too expensive in pairs ~$15 compared to the ~$8 (regular) and the benefit of having more light at night is worth it. To me anyway.

good luck with the headlight aiming.

 

[moribundman]

Yup, I have those Osram Silverstars, although in H7. They are maybe a hair brighter than the Philips Premium H7 bulbs I used before.

I've seen the headlight aiming device at auto parts stores, but you really don't need it. It's nothing but a fancy bubble level. Aiming the lights at a wall and checking the focal points with tape measure works even better than that gizmo. The best device for adjusting headlights is an optical tool on wheels that few shops in the US have. Not sure if it even works with DOT lights. Sure works with e-codes.

 

[97tbird]

I've also heard that the "euro" Sylvania bulbs are really good...
so where can one find them?(only in europe??)
do they have equivalents for US norms, say, a 9007 in euro style?
Thanks.

 

[seotaji]

I shop at stores that ship overseas, i.e. from england to usa.

http://www.powerbulbs.co.uk/

Not the cheapest store on the net, but their site is well designed and informative. Shipping is free by the way.

If you would like a higher output 9007 = HB5 bulb, you've got Sylvania Xtravision or GE high output bulbs to choose from. They offer ~20% improvement in light output, but nothing like their euro counterparts.

Most of the manufacturers offer headlamp bulbs that have higher-output
filaments _without_ any light-stealing color coating. These tend to run
right at the high end of allowable lumens. They're more popular in Europe
than in North America, but North American examples are Sylvania
Xtravision, Wagner BriteLite, GE High Output, Philips High Visibility,
Candlepower Bright Light, Narva Rangepower, and -- confusingly -- Osram
Silverstar, an extra-high-output *uncolored* bulb line sold primarily
outside North America.

Finally, some comparative bulb test results. AutoExpress finally released
the results of their new H4 (=9003, =HB2) bulb tests.

Standard and blue bulbs ("Osram CoolBlue" is what is currently sold in
North America as "Sylvania Silverstar"):

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/product_test/product_test_story.php?id=39920

"Plus 30" high efficiency bulbs ("Osram Super" is what is sold in North
America as "Sylvania Xtravision", while "Philips Premium" is available in
North America as "Wagner BriteLite" and "Candlepower Bright Light"):

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/product_test/product_test_story.php?id=39919

"Plus 50" ultra high efficiency bulbs (Osram Silverstar is available in
North America as Candlepower Super Bright Light, or -- like the Philips
VisionPlus -- can be ordered from one of the overseas websites that ships
worldwide):

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/product_test/product_test_story.php?id=39917

[ August 15, 2004, 06:09 PM: Message edited by: seotaji ]