Headlamp alignment

[otp]

Hi all I have replaced my headlamp reflectors and am unable to get a decent beam pattern I've tried the adjusters in all directions. There was slight difference in the reflectors I was wondering if moving the lens around might get some focus back.
Any ideas gratefully revived

[LincsCerb]

Hi the beam pattern is produced mainly by the reflector not the lens.
How do your new reflectors differ from your old ones.

[otp]

They look the same other than the side light hole is slightly off set compared to the old one. When they are on instead of the little kick up to the left the beam just stops so there looks like a hole/blind spot in the spread of light

[LincsCerb]

When I replaced my reflectors I bought LHD ones from Germany as they were only 85 Euros for the pair and they had been said to be ok by someone who had done the same, the only visible difference was the sidelight bulb which was in a slightly different position.
Once fitted though I tried the headlight with no lens and the kick was on the right and with the lens on is was all blurred.
So I rotated the reflector until the sidelight bulb was in the same position as the old one, drilled new mounting holes and the kick was now in the correct position.
Do you have any part numbers for the reflectors you've bought, is there any chance they could be LHD ones.

[otp]

Hi no part numbers have been removed from the box and the reflectors are now in. I suspect I will be doing the same I fitted the first one and took the lens out so I thought it was the lens. I changed the second one with the lens in place so I knew the position was correct. After a lot of t'internet reading I was going to do the same as you but I can't get a clear shot to my garage door as it been raining and my sons bike is in front of the car. Can you remember how far you moved them and in which direction?

[LincsCerb]

Looking at the front of the car the sidelight is offset to the right below the headlamp bulb. The easiest way I found was to hold the new reflector directly above the old one and looking from above line up the sidelight bulb hole. It needed to be rotated about 30mm.
I suppose you could line it up on a wall and turn the reflector to the required angle and mark the mounting points.

[otp]

I was in process of doing that it looks it goes clockwise when viewed from the rear of the lamp possibly 30 mm . However on removing the reflector to move it about a couple of the little rubber inserts have split and I can't find replacements on line!!

[LincsCerb]

I split the first couple when removing mine but just used the slightly bigger half when putting them back together. I managed to modify my technique getting them out and didn't damage anymore. Have you got any usable ones in your old reflectors.

[otp]

I've got a couple which I could probably use and a fellow cerbist is going to send me a couple of used one so I should be ok. Gonna have an other try tomorrow busy tonight. I leave my current job on Friday so I wanted to take in and leave in cloud of tyre smoke and a pair of eleven's Friday afternoon !

[otp]

I have sussed the lhd / rhd conversion. After many late nights and head scratching I have converted the lamp correctly with a kick up. Below is a picture of the pattern on the garage door one is a brand new rhd drive reflector the other a modified lhd reflector. There are no lenses on so just pure reflector pushed to the back of the aperture. What do you think?

[FarmyardPants]

Pattern looks good. Looks a bit high

I converted my H7s (quad style lights) to be a horizontal beam using some tin foil, so don't have to worry about blinding people on my continental sorties. But my reflectors are getting a bit rusty and the lenses pitted so might treated myself to some new Hella units although they are a PITA to change.

Edit: of course front of the car is on axle stands hence height, doh

[LincsCerb]

Looks ok to me and when you get the lens on that will help as well.
It does look high at the moment but that's easy to sort, if you've got a friendly mot man it will only take a couple of minutes to check the alignment.
Good job.
Now you can leave your job tomorrow in style.

[otp]

Thanks lincscerb you got me on the right track. It's on axle stands correct so that why they're high . They are lined up at the same height original one was when I started so should be ok when on its feet.
Alas no elevens tomorrow one of the bolts holding the headlamp bezel on came adrift so I've rebonded it but it needs to set before I can bolt them on.
However I can arrive in style to my new job on Monday. It's also about 2 mins from the Ace cafe so I can pop down on a Wednesday and happily drive home In the dark. I should have a beam setter there so I can check and adjust them correctly.

Thanks Russ the bits turned up fitted a treat

Clive