Easy way to raise/lower headlights
Originally posted by XRS-Lift
what the hell is wrong with u people. All you need is a normal phillups screwdriver, u stick it in the round hole next to those gears and turn, it will turn the gears by itself. As simple as screwing in a screw.
what the hell is wrong with u people. All you need is a normal phillups screwdriver, u stick it in the round hole next to those gears and turn, it will turn the gears by itself. As simple as screwing in a screw.
Newbie
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
Originally posted by n00dle
guys this has been discussed before. IMO the fastest, easiest and best way is to use a 1/4 drive socket with a 10mm on it. The nut is right behind the gears. Turn it counter-clockwise to raise the light. For the passenger side just remove the 2 bolts that hold the coolant overflow bottle and move the bottle just to the side to gain access to the bolt. You'll also need at least a 3" extension on the drive socket to reach the nut. Whole proceedure including adjusting the lights take only 5-10mins. You also don't risk chewing up the plastic like others have by using a screw driver to turn the gear.
guys this has been discussed before. IMO the fastest, easiest and best way is to use a 1/4 drive socket with a 10mm on it. The nut is right behind the gears. Turn it counter-clockwise to raise the light. For the passenger side just remove the 2 bolts that hold the coolant overflow bottle and move the bottle just to the side to gain access to the bolt. You'll also need at least a 3" extension on the drive socket to reach the nut. Whole proceedure including adjusting the lights take only 5-10mins. You also don't risk chewing up the plastic like others have by using a screw driver to turn the gear.
What can he do to fix this problem with one of the teeth being stripped out. Because the gear just spins w/ no reaction in the height of the light when u r trying to adjust it. Plus the high beam on that side is stuck pointing down, and on the other side it is in the correct place.
Can anyone offer any help??
Why doesn't he just do the adjustment method with the 10mm socket?
For the record, my take on all this screwdriver vs. socket methods: I finally adjusted mine last night. For the driver's side, there so much harness crap from the various bulbs in the way, I decided it was much easier to use a long screwdriver. It did gouge up the gear a tiny bit, and it takes a firm twist (and a lot of em!). On the driver's side, I used the 10mm socket (after easily moving the coolant reservoir out of the way) and it was a piece of cake.
So my vote: use a screwdriver on the driver's side, and a socket on the passenger's side.
For the record, my take on all this screwdriver vs. socket methods: I finally adjusted mine last night. For the driver's side, there so much harness crap from the various bulbs in the way, I decided it was much easier to use a long screwdriver. It did gouge up the gear a tiny bit, and it takes a firm twist (and a lot of em!). On the driver's side, I used the 10mm socket (after easily moving the coolant reservoir out of the way) and it was a piece of cake.
So my vote: use a screwdriver on the driver's side, and a socket on the passenger's side.
I just did the adjustment that you guys are talking about. I started with the screw driver method and it really didn't work too well (it almost looks as though a torx bit is the intended engagement method rather than a philips bit). Next I tried the 10mm socket trick and it worked like a champ. I used a 1/4" drive handle (about 5 1/4" long) and no extensions. I was able to do both sides without removing any misc. components (overflow tank). It took probably 100 or so "clicks" on the ratchet and there is only enough room to get about one "click" at a time on the passenger side and about two "clicks" per time on the driver side ..... be patient. Thanks for the tip guys!!!!
10mm works perfect. Someone posted awhile back on this subject that where you guys are using a Phillips it is really a Torx head like Ground Chuck suggested. Just use 10mm on the nut, no stripping.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Atherton, CA
hmm....on a related note, anybody here swapped out the VIII head lights for some vii's?
is there any change?
because at the MACH V store they said it was illegal in the US to install these JDM lights due to the RHD nature and such (blind oncoming traffic). Wonder if they aim too low too...?
is there any change?
because at the MACH V store they said it was illegal in the US to install these JDM lights due to the RHD nature and such (blind oncoming traffic). Wonder if they aim too low too...?
did mine....i think a little too high, but screw it i dont care....at least i can see now...people bright light me some times now...but i just do it right back to them then letting them know that...no my brights arent on.
I can see 
Ok i did mine today and the socket ratchet method is the way to go.....Just stick a 10mm socket in and twist. It only took me about 20 twist to get it high enough for my taste.
On another note, WHY IN THE HELL DID THEY MAKE THE OTHER GEAR PLASTIC???? My passenger side was fine. But my driver side started stripping like crazy. So I ended up doing it the hard way which is use a ratchet to turn the nut and use a screwdriver to push the DAMN plastic gear. Believe me, it was alot of work. So if anyone else ever have their gears stripped like mine, use my method it works.....
I believe one other member posted about this too.....
Another thing is, can we adjust our highbeams? Mine got screwed up after I did my lowbeams......
On another note, WHY IN THE HELL DID THEY MAKE THE OTHER GEAR PLASTIC???? My passenger side was fine. But my driver side started stripping like crazy. So I ended up doing it the hard way which is use a ratchet to turn the nut and use a screwdriver to push the DAMN plastic gear. Believe me, it was alot of work. So if anyone else ever have their gears stripped like mine, use my method it works.....
I believe one other member posted about this too.....
Another thing is, can we adjust our highbeams? Mine got screwed up after I did my lowbeams......
Evolved Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 646
Likes: 0
From: Houston
Darn it, look like I'm one of those with the driver side problem. Yea, my driver side little gear is stripped i think. I wouldn't turn, but it would turn if you adjusted thro the notch from the inside of the car. I guess I have to try this again. Thx guys. Peace out side!!! 
