Alignment of European headlights

[jaxxonia]

Hello fellow 113 enthusiasts,

First I must mention that I have been a full member for about 12 years.  I could not maintain and enjoy my 113 without the generous help provided by the members of this site and the information available within.  A thank you to all who participate in making w113SL the place that it is.  This is the best $35 a year investment I make in my 1970 280SL

I recently completed the restoration and installation of a pair of European headlights.  I am looking forward to an evening drive to see the difference in illumination.  Can anyone provide a method of alignment of the European lights?  I have searched the site and seen the piece on alignment, but I find it a bit cryptic.  Any help is appreciated, as usual.  Thanks

Jackson
1970 280SL
Tunis beige metallic, cognac tex, white accents

[Richard Madison]

Jackson:

Not sure I've ever seen an alignment guide specific to Euro headlights. Maybe a generic guide will do the trick.

Here's one from Popular Mechanics.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/repair/1347221

Also, you may want to read about Left and Right Euro lights. Here is a thread where that is discussed.

http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=3555.msg23447#msg23447


Richard M, NYC (also driving Tunis Beige Metallic)

 

[Garry]

From our Technical manual it states the following.

Quote
"Adjusting screws are accessible when the headlight is installed on the car and the Chrome Surround is removed.

Two round head brass color screws located at the sides of the headlight are used to adjust the main light in two dimensions. A third adjusting screw for the Fog Light is at the bottom of the headlight assembly."
Unquote

After you undo the single screw at the bottom of the chrome trim surround and remove the chrome surround the two screws that are referred to are pretty obvious and so is the corresponding adjustment that is, you turn one of the two brass screws it will swivel the light left or right and the second screw mentioned will move the light up and down.  You will need a wall to adjust both the headlight beams to to ensure that they both are a parallel forward beam and at the same level and by trial and error the glass lens, if the correct one for LHD or RHD will focus the beam to the left or right accordingly such that the light shines to the passenger side and at a correct level so that you don't blind on coming traffic by being too high when on low beam.  I am not sure if there are any specific dimensions that can be used with a wall but if you find a quiet street in the evening after the above then fine adjustment can be done to actual road conditions to ensure left/right alignment and up and down is correct.

Hope I havent confused you more

Garry

[66andBlue]

There is a link in the technical manual to Dan Stern's web site explaining in detail the adjustment procedure.
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/aim/aim.html
It is very important to find a level street long enough to place a vertical wall with the alignment markers at the correct distance from the car as shown in the diagram.

[jaxxonia]

Thank you all for your replies.  I found the Daniel Stern piece quite helpful.  So far, I feel the European lights provide broader lighting, but the main lighting does not seem all that more effective, which is a bit of a disappointment.  The reflectors have been re-silvered or replaced, the bulbs are new. and the glass is in great shape.   I am still adjusting & fiddling a bit to see if I can improve the illumination somewhat.  Luckily, driving at night is secondary.  But when I drive behind my friends with modern lighting, the difference is noticeable.  Of course, their rides can't touch the class & charm that a 113 exhibits.  And they don't have a light show in their dash!

Thanks again!

Jackson
Never Lift!

[66andBlue]

Jackson,
what is the wattage of the bulbs that you put in, original 40/45W or higher 6055W? Or halogen bulb?

[hauser]

I went with the halogens from Daniel Stern and it made a huge difference over the stock.