Shim a headlight assembly?

[08HoeCD]

I installed a replacement passenger-side headlight assembly and adjusted it "UP" as far as it would go, but it's at least 5 or more degrees too low to project the beam well. Seems that the adjustment is maxed out.

Is there such a thing as shimming the entire assembly to lift the beam? Anyone have experience doing this and want to give me any pointers on what they used to shim?

 

[01Konvict]

I shimmed my headlight bowl in the Yukon using a #10 washer on the studs that mount inside the light. Worked good and adjusted my horizontal spread too

 

[08HoeCD]

I shimmed my headlight bowl in the Yukon using a #10 washer on the studs that mount inside the light. Worked good and adjusted my horizontal spread too

Studs that mount inside the light? Not sure I'm following you, brother.

You mean you opened up the headlight assembly and added a shim/washer inside? Help me with a little more detail.

 

[01Konvict]

Yes I opened up the headlight for my retrofit and my horizontal spread wasn't quite right so I used a washer placed under the bottom bolts so adjust beam. For me I added 1 washer on 1 side bolt and other headlight needed 2 washers. That is the only way to adjust horizontal of the headlight since there are no outside adjustments. In your case you can add washers under both bottom bolts and it will tilt the bowl up. The headlight uses a 3 bolt pivot system. The two bottom are on same plane and one top which mounts to the vertical adjustment outside the light.

 

[08HoeCD]

Yes I opened up the headlight for my retrofit and my horizontal spread wasn't quite right so I used a washer placed under the bottom bolts so adjust beam. For me I added 1 washer on 1 side bolt and other headlight needed 2 washers. That was the only way for me to adjust horizontal of the headlight. In your case you can add washers under both bottom bolts and it will tilt the bowl up.

10-4
Thanks

 

[08HoeCD]

I had scored another (used) headlight and was dragging my feet on replacing the poorly-fitting/aimed one. Meanwhile, I took my rig to the dealer last week to get the tires re-balanced. I guess they did me a big favor while she was in for review----I noticed last night that the headlight beams are properly aimed now. I could see both beams on my garage door, clear as day and perfectly aligned. Not sure what they did or how, but the beams are good to go.

Was my first time at that dealer, so maybe they wanted to go the extra mile to have me come back. I'll do it, too.

 

[fiatdale]

We see brand new vehicles with headlight shims in them all the time. FROM THE FACTORY. No other hands on the vehicles since they rolled out. Its common on all manufacturers actually.

 

[08HoeCD]

I finally got around to replacing the headlight altogether with another factory-look aftermarket brand. Newer unit adjusts fine, and the correct aiming makes the relative brightness seem like it's double what it was before, if not more. Problem solved.