Originally posted by sry110@Nov 9 2005, 09:28 PM
I was reading the headlight aiming instructions in the mazda shop manual, and i came across the following:

"Adjust the headlights by turning the adjusting screws as shown in the figure.  Loosen the screws first, then tighten them. 

NOTE:  If the adjusting screws are tightened first, then loosened, they will continue to loosen when the vehicle is in motion and may cause the headlights to become misaligned.  "
When I have made my feeble attempts to aim my headlights, I have not noticed having to "tighten" or "loosen" the adjusting screws...I just turn them one way to point the light one way, and turn them the other way to point the light the other way. 

Can anyone help me out on what they are talking about here?

-steve

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Rightey Tightey, Lefty Loosey. It tightens slightly as you turn it to the right. :spin:

 

He means that while the screw goes in when you turn it right and comes out when you turn in left, that it doesn't feel like it's getting harder or easier to turn, ie tighter or looser.

When I did mine it didn't seem to get looser or tighter, but I wasn't really paying attention and it was over a year ago. Tho it was definately hard enough to turn that I don't think there's a risk of it coming loose by itself.

 

Originally posted by ShaDrag@Nov 10 2005, 08:48 AM
He means that while the screw goes in when you turn it right and comes out when you turn in left, that it doesn't feel like it's getting harder or easier to turn, ie tighter or looser.

When I did mine it didn't seem to get looser or tighter, but I wasn't really paying attention and it was over a year ago.  Tho it was definately hard enough to turn that I don't think there's a risk of it coming loose by itself.

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Yeah sometimes it is so hard to turn, that I fear I might break something. Also, when I turn the adjustment knob for the left-right position of the headlights, nothing ever seems to change. I think I have to spend some quality time getting to know these damn headlights!

 

There was a diagram of the location for the headlight alignment knobs posted a while back. The adjustments are actually small bevel gears mounted inside a 3/8" tube. A fairly large phillips screwdriver can be used to turn the gears for adjustment. IIRC the up-down adjustments are located to the very outside of the headlamp assemblies, under the top of the fender. (Kind of hard to get a tool in there...) CORRECTION: It's the in/out adjustment that is located on the very outside of the projector.

 

use your fingers like a man

 

Originally posted by twowheelin@Nov 14 2005, 10:29 PM
There was a diagram of the location for the headlight alignment knobs posted a while back. The adjustments are actually small bevel gears mounted inside a  3/8" tube. A fairly large phillips screwdriver can be used to turn the gears for adjustment. IIRC the up-down adjustments are located to the very outside of the headlamp assemblies, under the top of the fender. (Kind of hard to get a tool in there...)

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Yep, I can easily access the up/down adjustment screws, and I can somewhat reach the inward/outward knob on the driver side, but the passenger side inward/outward knob is completely buried though.

 

Is the up/down adjustment screw located at the top inner edge of the projector beam bulb? To raise the beam pattern, do I turn to the right or left?

 

Yeah, that should be it, top inner edge of the low beam projector. I found the diagram... The in/out adjustment is the one way in the corner... (I'll correct the info above. :blush: ) The diagram indicates counter clockwise looking at the projector from the back. (To the left if your standing in front...)

 

Thanks for the reply twowheelin.

 

I thought up/down was the one furthest out? I only remember having very little room and wishing it was the inside ones I had to turn.

 

I've added a "How-To" post about this but I didn't specify the turning directions.

 

Awesome write up and pictures!!! Where did you find those clip things??? That little bevel gear to hex adaptor would be awesome. (I don't have one of those anywhere on my headlamps ) I think I'll head to the dealer and see if I can buy one of these. I'll pull the gear thingy off and epoxy it to the the end of rod or screwdriver to make an ajuster tool. I've been looking all over for a little gear for this purpose.

 

Thanks! It's my first sticky post!

Yeah, the adjuster is cool. I only found out before the write-up that it was detachable. It certainly makes adjustments easier. I have one on each headlight assembly. I'd definitely go back to the dealer and tell them that you're missing them and want them replaced. If you do have to pay for the part, would you tell me how much it costs? I'd like to stick one on each adjuster if they are really cheap.