1984 380SL with Euro Lights !!

I need some help please. I have a 1984 380 SL in which the previous owner installed Euro headlights. The aim is WAY OFF the driver side headlight practically aims straight down.

I cannot figure out how to adjust these headlights. I have no vacuum control in the car but there also seem to be no adjustment screws visible.

Do I need to remove the lense ? If so I can't figure out how to do even that. The rear side of the lights are inside the fenders, you cannot see the back or the wire hook-ups from inside the engine compartment.

All help is appreciated.

PS - These lights are in EXCELLENT condition and I would be happy to trade anyone these headlights for a set of EXCELLENT condition US headlights. (If I can figure out how to uninstall them !!)


Thanks,
John

[mbtjc]

Check this link out http://lighting.mbz.org/tech/how_to/aim/
That should do it for ya. Just one question though, granted that you get the euro lights aimed correctly, why would you want to switch to US? The consensus is pretty much unanimous that the Euros look better and perform a heck of a lot better. Each to their own I guess!

[Deltacom]

John,

Here you have instructions on the adjusting of headlights (screw 3 and 4, and how to access an remove the units.

Hey,

Thanks a million deltacom that picture is just what I needed.

Now that I see it I can tell you that there ARE adjustment screws but they are rusted and stripped on the driver side ... I haven't looked at the passenger side yet.

I almost thought that they were mounting screws and drilled them out the other day !!

Now it looks like I'll have to remove the headlight assembly and try to remove the screws without destroying the adjusting mechanism.


Thanks again
John

Sorry to be thick here, but whats the difference (apart from the obvious beam angle) between Euro and US headlights?

[mbtjc]

The Euro lights have flat, one-piece glass lenses rather than 2 round sealed beams within a plastic housing. And, as you mentioned, the beam angle and lighting is much better.

Ahh im with you now...i wonder why there is that difference, i have noticed that before, especially on Volvo's, US cars tend to have 2 rectangle lights per side, where as the European spec ones have the one piece lights. Is there any reason for this? or is it merely for styling purposes..bit like most US auto's having the gearshift on the steering column, where her in the UK they are all floor mounted?

[mbtjc]

Well the difference is because of our beloved Department of Transportation (DOT). They've got laws and all aspects of a car and the lights are obviously one of em. They require sealed beams so the manufacturers have to make the lights meet federal US law, which entails messing up pretty headlamps. This was more of a problem in older cars (early 90s and back), newer models they somehow design them differently so they will pass and not look any different. Or do they not have the sealed beam law anymore...anyone??

There are some strange laws out there alright,,,sealed beam, i presume that means if a bulb blows you have to replace the whole unit?

There is another daft law about the rate of flashing on turn signals..apparently UK indicators flash to fast for US laws, so any cars exported out there have to be changed, and vice versa!

oh what a wonderful world!!

[mbtjc]

Yep, you're right. Dumb laws. I think half the time they make the laws just because they can. It is not like the dark and any different in Germany or the UK or the US. DARK IS DARK! Oh, and I am not sure about the replacement thing. Maybe someone else knows.

Far too many people sitting around in offices with nothing to do.....!!!

[DJNEWK2]

I don't know if you'd still want to get rid of the euros but personally, I'd gladly trade you some of my US spec lights for your euros before I purchase another set! Just wondering if you were serious or not

Good Luck
Alan