Headlight adjustment problem

M

MSGZ4

New member
Hi there. I'm new to the forum and hoping to get some help/advice. I have a 57 reg 3.0si coupe. Just put it in for MOT and it failed due to the driver side headlight being positioned at the wrong angle. The mechanics tried to adjust this of course but found the adjusters no longer worked. It seems the plastic gear wheels have seized and the teeth broken off. They told me that BMW would only supple a complete new headlight unit (over £700 for that)

Wondering if anyone here had experienced similar issues or knows if/where I could get the parts to fix it. I now have the headlight unit out the car at home and I pretty sure that just by replacing these cogs the problem would be resolved for much less money.

Any thoughts much appreciated.
 

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Hopefully someone with some damaged units that have been used as donors for clear indicators or angle eyes can help you out with the bits and pieces you need.
Failing that search zeds that are breaking on ebay and hopefully you can find one with a damaged lens etc cheap that's intact at the rear.
If that fails I think your cheapest option would be a pre facelift headlight on ebay etc. Iirc the adjuster bits you need are the same pre to post facelift and both xenon and halogen. But I'd get some else to just confirm that before spending.
 
Thanks for the reply mack. I have had a look on eBay for a like for like replacement unit but didn't think to look for an older one. Will keep searching. It seems utter madness to have to pay so much for the sake of some worn plastic cogs. I'm also planning to go to my local sytner bmw and just ask at the service desk. You never know . . .
 
Don’t worry about it. Just remove the sheared plastic cogs and the cable.
There is a 8mm (I think) head at the other end of the cable you can use to adjust the headlight.
You just have to adjust it from the hole on the wheel arch instead of the top.
Just go easy as it’s plastic and may be a little tight at first.
 
Welcome to the forum, how about some photos of the car :roll:
We like photos and newbies need to show off what they have :thumbsup:
 
Thanks nurburg. Spent the morning playing around with it and have got them working. Cleaned up the cogs and cut the teeth a bit deeper, seems to be working at the moment. Like you say, if I remove the cable it can be adjusted from the back so should be fine.
 
Glad you got it sorted. Learn a new trick should I ever need it myself, thanks Mr nurburgring.
 
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