While washing the 2001-X yesterday, I noticed I got some vertical movement on both headlight assemblies when I handle them. When I studied how they're attached (and researched the factory service manual), it appears there is no specific means to tighten them. Or am I wrong (as usual)? The parking/turn signal assemblies are securely mounted (no movement). The manual says vertical AIM adjustment can be done, but not horizontal. Regardless, they seem "loose" to me.

I think I can tighten the way they're mounted, but I wanted to ask for anyone's advice before I attempt to disassemble the things.

To remove the assemblies, the manual says to pull the 2 upper clips straight up. But they appear to be held in place with a couple of small tabs on their sides that are latched into a couple small recesses in the plastic.

Has anyone here experienced anything similar. I fear breaking the plastic if I force the clips up like the maual says.

Thanks in advance.
Ken E.
Yorktown, VA

PS - A CARFAX report said this X was in an accident in 2001, and that the damage was "very minor." I cannot find any evidence of a repair anywhere ... especially at the front end.

 

My drivers side headlight housing comes loose every so often , and i just tighten it up. Took it to the dealer the first time and they gave me no specific reason as to why this happenes....

 

Might right side is loose and I found that the metal clip retainer that slides down over the plastic post on the headlight is missing.
Haven't had time to fix it... Looks like this is going to be a common issue......
If you look behind the grille support just behind the headlight, you will see this clip....
Don't know how it came off.....Looks like the plastic wore out.....

B

 

How are you able to tighten it? That may be a dumb question since I haven't yet tried to remove my headlight assemblies. If there's a way to tighten without pulling those clips, I'm eager to learn.

I did notice a Phillips-head screw in the forward face of each of the "pin & clip" fasteners. Did you simply give those a turn with an angled screwdriver? (Nearly impossible to access with a straight screwdriver.)

Thanks in advance!

Ken E.
Yorktown, VA

 

it woudlnt happens to say specifally how to adjust them does it?? Seems like I can't even tell there lit at nite?? Thinking about a replacement also. Any ideas on an upgrade or better bulb??

thx

Bob

 

Hi Ken, To remove the clips on top, grab with a pair of pliers or vise-grips, pull up while moving them right and left. There tough but will come off. As for the bottom clips behind the the wall, slip a 9/16" boxed end wrench over the clip and the housing should pull foward. The phillips head that you see is for the adjustments. I don`t know if there is away to tighten the setup unless you put on new mounts. Even that might not help. Good luck.
P.S. If you break a clip go to a body shop and see if they got some laying around, might give them to you free, Ford wants $5 apiece for them. I broke one trying to use a ice pick to pry them off.

 

Thanks! I had given some thought to just taking up the slack by wrapping some soft wire around the clips where they protrude through the sheet metal bulkhead. Just enough to "fill in the gaps." I'll have to go take another good look at mine.