2005 Expy headlight adjustment
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2005 Expy headlight adjustment
Had to replace my pass side headlight the other day....
put it in and it is shining a good bit low
On the 2005 it looks like there are no actual adjustment screws?
I see two horizontal screws at the top and one vertical screw in the back that does nothing......they just hold the light in place
I know there was adjustment screw in the older Expys but what is the deal w/ the newer ones
Its like the light housing just snaps into place w/ three screws to hold it and no way to adjust it
and it NEEDS to be adjusted
Any ideas?
thanks..
put it in and it is shining a good bit low
On the 2005 it looks like there are no actual adjustment screws?
I see two horizontal screws at the top and one vertical screw in the back that does nothing......they just hold the light in place
I know there was adjustment screw in the older Expys but what is the deal w/ the newer ones
Its like the light housing just snaps into place w/ three screws to hold it and no way to adjust it
and it NEEDS to be adjusted
Any ideas?
thanks..
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The vertical one in the back is the one that adjusts it. Loosen the other two, then monkey around with it. It is a poor system at best and leverages that vertical bolt against a plastic shelf. You may also want to check that the lower end of it is in the proper postion and can exert force on the plastic shelf, and also make sure the plastic shelf is there. I did break one off once when I assumed I wasn't getting any adjustment.
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I was able to make the seemingly useless vertical screw work - I removed the two top screws and lifted up at the bottom of the housing.
When I could get my fingers between the bumper and the headlight - I heard a click at the vertical screw (barley threaded into the nut) and the Aim changed from pointing very low, to similar to the other headlight.
Installed the top two screws, checked that the vertical screw had some loading and it held the new (correct) position.
I was trying to pull it out (to try adjusting the 5/32" set screw) when I noticed the assembly was lifting at the bottom in the front - seems that bolting it in has a wrong height and a good height.
When I could get my fingers between the bumper and the headlight - I heard a click at the vertical screw (barley threaded into the nut) and the Aim changed from pointing very low, to similar to the other headlight.
Installed the top two screws, checked that the vertical screw had some loading and it held the new (correct) position.
I was trying to pull it out (to try adjusting the 5/32" set screw) when I noticed the assembly was lifting at the bottom in the front - seems that bolting it in has a wrong height and a good height.
Last edited by Expedition Jim; Aug 5, 2015 at 12:37 AM. Reason: more detailed
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after months of researching answers to my problem and reading helpful but WRONG answers I finally found out how to adjust the headlights on my 2005 EXPY
My buddy is a ford tech and the other day while he was changing out an O2 sensor and the #4 COP/plug I happen to mention that my pass side headlight was all screwed up and WAY too low.
He took one look and grabs a 4mm socketrachet ... starts the truck and begins to adjust my pass side low beam light up.
IT HAS NOTHING TO DO W THE LONG VERTICAL SCREW IN THE BACK
NOR THE TWO UPPER HORIZONTAL SCREWS ON THE TOP
he said those only hold the housing in place..they do not adjust the high/low beams
look on the back of the housing and you will see two horizontal headless screws that exit from the back of the low beam bulb and the high beam bulb....those adjust the beams up and down
it was so easy I was embarrassed when he showed me..after months of searching for an answer .....and reading wrong answers.......I could only shake my head
My buddy is a ford tech and the other day while he was changing out an O2 sensor and the #4 COP/plug I happen to mention that my pass side headlight was all screwed up and WAY too low.
He took one look and grabs a 4mm socketrachet ... starts the truck and begins to adjust my pass side low beam light up.
IT HAS NOTHING TO DO W THE LONG VERTICAL SCREW IN THE BACK
NOR THE TWO UPPER HORIZONTAL SCREWS ON THE TOP
he said those only hold the housing in place..they do not adjust the high/low beams
look on the back of the housing and you will see two horizontal headless screws that exit from the back of the low beam bulb and the high beam bulb....those adjust the beams up and down
it was so easy I was embarrassed when he showed me..after months of searching for an answer .....and reading wrong answers.......I could only shake my head
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Well, even the owners manual points to the wrong screw, that 10 mm vertical screw.. I broke the tabs it fits into because I tried to adjust it with that one. I realized it had to be wrong and tried that 4 mm pin screw, and it worked just as it should... To fix the tabs, you have to replace the whole front end bracket piece, so I opted for some glue instead.. 
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Well, even the owners manual points to the wrong screw, that 10 mm vertical screw.. I broke the tabs it fits into because I tried to adjust it with that one. I realized it had to be wrong and tried that 4 mm pin screw, and it worked just as it should... To fix the tabs, you have to replace the whole front end bracket piece, so I opted for some glue instead..
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Well, even the owners manual points to the wrong screw, that 10 mm vertical screw.. I broke the tabs it fits into because I tried to adjust it with that one. I realized it had to be wrong and tried that 4 mm pin screw, and it worked just as it should... To fix the tabs, you have to replace the whole front end bracket piece, so I opted for some glue instead..
been there done that....
in fact in didn't glue back the tab I also took out the vertical screw..its not even in there......light functions fine
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