Headlights on a 450
Headlights on a 450
Author
Discussion

bluechim

Original Poster:

750 posts

293 months

Sunday 19th March 2006
quotequote all
Hi There. Does anyone know how to adjust the headlight beam aim on a newer Chimaera 450? Mine is one which has the Perspex bubble over the light. Just almost failed the MOT on being too low (warning)

Thanks

peteA

2,762 posts

264 months

Monday 20th March 2006
quotequote all
Cant help you with your perspex covers but i am in the process of adjusting my 94 chim headlights as mine nearly failed the mot last year and don't want to chance it this year.

What a nighmare to simply adjust the beam direction!

Grille off - headlamp cowls off (including mastic)- glass lense covers off (more mastic) - then had to release to wing nuts, etc as they were all seized!

The adjusting screws are accessible via small slots either side of the glass lenses but from the front so i guess, if they are the same, your plastic lenses will also have to come off!

On the facelifted cars with the bar across the front and no grille, there is supposed to be an access panel inside the front wheel arch that allows access to the wing nuts and for replacing the bulbs, however, this will not enable you to alter the beam direction if the set up is the same as my earlier car.

Not the best design solution i have come across...

Dave FOrd

28 posts

286 months

Monday 20th March 2006
quotequote all
To adjust headlights on 2000 450, remove front wheel and inspection hatch in wheel arch. The back of the headlight is accessible and the wing nuts that allow headlight adjustment. It is worth marking the starting point on a piece of board so that you know how much adjustment has been achieved. Seal the inspection hatch on replacement. I have also replaced the self tapping screws with stainless versions.

Hope that helps

bluechim

Original Poster:

750 posts

293 months

Monday 20th March 2006
quotequote all
Thanks for advice. I will get the wheel off at the weekend and see what I can see via the hatch (my car has an access panel as described). Lets hope all the adjustment is via this hatch as per second reply. I will report back once I have sorted this out for future referance.

bluechim

Original Poster:

750 posts

293 months

Sunday 2nd April 2006
quotequote all
HELP - Wheel off - Cover off - the back of the headlight is clear to see now - however, there are no wing nuts. What I can see (looking through the hatch and therefore looking at the back of the light) are 2 small brass hex huts (maybe 8 MM). These turn quite easily. One of these is at 11 o'clock and the other at about 4 o'clock. The rest of the headlight seems to be covered is silver gaffer type tape - looks very TVR original to me.

I assumed that I needed to turn these brass hex huts to adjust the headlight, so I got the car in front of a board and marking where the beam is now I started to turn them, but nothing seems to happen i.e. screws turn fine but the headlight beam stays in the same place.

At least I have managed to wax oil the front suspension, but I don’t seem to be able to adjust the light aim. Anyone got any ideas before I put it all back together please?
Thanks

bluechim

Original Poster:

750 posts

293 months

Friday 7th April 2006
quotequote all
I can now confirm that on my very late 450 (april 2002) the adjusters are 8mm hex nuts on the rear of the lights (11 and 5 o'clock) reached by removing the access panel in the inner wing - jobs done now - thanks for the advice.

You really do have to take the wheel off to gain proper sight of what's going on!