Headlight adjustment

[Nick Graves]

As usual following the MOT, they've set the geadlights stupidly low.

Despite the similarity with other Hondas, I cannot seem to get a screwdriver in the veritical slots. The horizontals are of course, dead easy, since I don't need them.

Is there a particular knack to this, or something?

Do I need a sonic screwdriver?

Is it easier to lose the headlight covers?

Which way should I turn them?

Any tips greatly appreciated.


TIA!

[Kaz-kzukNA1]

Hi, Nick.

Since the MOT place managed to adjust the alignement, I presume your adjuster is not corroded but if you are having difficulty, then you can adjust the vertical beam aim by the four bolts holding the headlight body even without touching the adjuster.

You need to remove the plastic painted headlight cover first and then you will have full access to the four small/short bolts holding the body to the bracket.

While you are in there, you may want to inspect the adjuster any way.

Some info from my 'Health Check' thread below.
It's in post #429.


During the Health Check on my NSX, I didn’t like the small movement/rattle at the left side headlight unit so decided to replace the adjuster module.

Quite often, the adjuster shaft itself gets corroded causing excessive gap at the holder resulting in rattle at the unit.

http://www.nsxcb.co.uk/testvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=7568&thumb=1&d=1285278776 (http://www.nsxcb.co.uk/testvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=7568&d=1285278776) http://www.nsxcb.co.uk/testvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=7569&thumb=1&d=1285278776 (http://www.nsxcb.co.uk/testvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=7569&d=1285278776)
http://www.nsxcb.co.uk/testvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=7570&thumb=1&d=1285278776 (http://www.nsxcb.co.uk/testvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=7570&d=1285278776) http://www.nsxcb.co.uk/testvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=7571&thumb=1&d=1285278776 (http://www.nsxcb.co.uk/testvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=7571&d=1285278776)
As expected, it’s corroded…. The new part for my NSX. The parts no is different for later models so please be careful.
Comparison between the corroded and new one.

[Kaz-kzukNA1]

http://www.nsxcb.co.uk/testvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=7572&thumb=1&d=1285279089 (http://www.nsxcb.co.uk/testvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=7572&d=1285279089)
The corroded one.
The corrosion made the shaft fat and chewed into the housing resulting in quite big gap. This allowed the unit to rattle.

http://www.nsxcb.co.uk/testvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=7573&thumb=1&d=1285279089 (http://www.nsxcb.co.uk/testvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=7573&d=1285279089)]
The replacement.
Obviously, there is no corrosion and thus, no gap between the shaft and the housing.

http://www.nsxcb.co.uk/testvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=7574&thumb=1&d=1285279089 (http://www.nsxcb.co.uk/testvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=7574&d=1285279089) http://www.nsxcb.co.uk/testvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=7575&thumb=1&d=1285279089 (http://www.nsxcb.co.uk/testvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=7575&d=1285279089)
There are two adjusters for each headlight unit. The right side was still fine but probably not far from the condition of left side....

Kaz

[Nick Graves]

Thanks Kaz!

There is so much information in your health guide, I sometimes think it needs cutting into 'chapters' so an idiot like me can find things.

I'll remove the cover & see if it makes more sense; it seems like the screwdriver keeps 'missing' the crownwheel on the adjuster.

[Chris B N]

Just had my headlamp covers off,
the 4 screws with posidrive heads were extremely tight
after tapping the screwdriver and applying WD40 I finally managed to get 6 out
the seventh was stubborn and needed WD40 with alternating clockwise and anti clockwise turns to remove it.
the last one even after spraying WD40 on the inside and standing overnight would not move.
Finally drilled the head off (3/16" drill) take care when doing this to avoid damage to the wing or cover, the head then broke of and the cover removed
the remnants of the screw was removed using small mole grip and screwing
out from the inside.
Once out and with WD40 the screws were easy to turn
After all the above would suggest a useful tip is to occasionally slacken and then WD40/plusgas the cover screws, if you end up in the same situation as I did at least you can rectify the problem in your own time rather than on a cold winters day when you have a blown Headlamp bulb.

all this to do a HID conversion , the improvement in dipped beam was well worth it.