OEM Headlight Adjustment?

[retmil46]

Well, I've searched thru the threads on this, but didn't find a clear-cut answer. I have an '87 300D with the original U.S. spec headlights. Couple days ago I drove it at night for the first time, and the low beams seemed like they didn't even go out 30 feet ahead of the car. Put it on high beam, which appeared like the low beams on most other cars I've driven. Drove it home on high beam. Apparently it appeared to everyone else that it was still on low beam as well, didn't get flashed to turn my lights down even once on the 20 mile drive home.

Last night I tried adjusting the center height screw on both headlights. I tried upwards of two full turns, but it made no difference that I could tell in the aim, either during adjustment or while driving.

I have read thru the threads and the Bentley Owners Bible, so I realize these lights are somewhat underpowered to begin with. Given that, here's my questions -

Do the three black adjustment screws work on the original U.S. spec headlights?

If they do, how much adjustment is needed to make a difference? I'd think two full turns on the height adjustment would make some noticeable difference, especially on low beam.

Or am I just plain screwed, in that if I want to be able to adjust them or have better light output, I'm just going to have to ditch the OEM lights and go with something else?

Most of my drive to/from work is thru open country on 2 lane back roads with plenty of twists and turns, 55 mph speed limit. For now, high beam is adequate, but the low beams flat out suck.

[ThosDoran]

Turning the adjusters should show results right away. If not (as was the case with mine, I had no movement to speak of) you might consider pulling the whole headlight assembly apart and having a good look around.

Those adjusters have little threaded nuts in 'em and a bolt runs from there to the headlight housing (a metal cup that the headlight itself sits in.)

I found that I had one housing rusted out, so the bolt just spun around and around, but I was able to switch the housing from one side of the car to the other to solve that problem. On others the nut had seriously seized- nothing budging. In the end I got everything moving and I was able to adjust the lights.

Also, something I just remembered. I found that I was able to move the lights more effectively by giving them a little help from the front by pushing on the bulb to stretch the spring while tightening up the adjuster to cinch it into place.

I'd highly suggest taking things apart to see what you're working with. It's a pain, you may have a little refurbishing to do but it's one of the less dirty bits of work.
Mine is an '82, so might be a little different.