Headlight aiming help

[mrogers]

I posted this at bimmerfest and got zero responses, so here's hoping you guys can be more helpful...

I noticed my driver's side headlight on my '97 540i seemed to be pointing down, and when I checked the little level thing inside the headlight, sure enough it was. So I saw the adjustment knob just to the aft of the level, and started turning it...and nothing happened. I tried turning it the other way, and all it did was point the headlight even further down. I can't get it to raise up past the point it is already at, if that makes any sense. The adjustment knob turns and turns, but nothing happens. Has anyone ever done this themselves, and if so do you know what this may be? Is the adjuster stripped or something? And if I take it to a dealer, how much are they going to charge me to do a little thing like aim regular halogen headlights?

Thanks.

[Torque]

as far as i know e34s have 2 knobs which are both used for aiming. one is to the right of the light and the other one under the hood from top or something.

hope it helps, but i am not too sure

[Torque]

ps. i guess it is similar on e39

[Silver4evr]

Here's a link on how to adjust your headlights.

It seems that you may need to have service done on your ride if the headlights won't adjust.

[mrogers]

Thanks for the link. That's a little bit more precise procedure than I had planned on using, so that will help...but I still can't get the headlight to move! I'm afraid I'm going to have to take it in. I can see the beam from the driver's side headlight jiggle whenever I go over a good-sized bump, too...so I'm afraid something within the headlight is broken. If so, here's my chance to upgrade!

Thanks for the input.

[mrogers]

Well I figured out what the problem was. There's plastic arms connecting the adjuster knob to the reflective headlight housing; this is how the headlights are adjusted. It turns out that both my horizontal and vertical adjuster arms were broken completely in two, on both headlights (or in the driver's side vertical case, into three pieces). I spent all evening taking both headlights apart (getting the reflective housings out was a nightmare) and then attempting to epoxy the pieces of the adjuster arms together. I let them set and then reassembled the lights and put them back on the car, but when I adjusted them the arms broke again. Argh! So I'm going to have to see if the dealer can order me those adjustment arms, which would be an obscure part to say the least. If anyone knows where I might be able to find what part number that is, I would appreciate it. Thanks.

[M5power]

my suggestion is to go to bavarianautosport.com and search through there, if u find the parts it'll tell u the part number for it. it would probably be cheaper to order it there or on e-bay then get it at the dealer, but thats just cuse im a cheap ass.

[mrogers]

Well I managed to acquire the part number, but I couldn't find it anywhere online. It's just too obscure of a part. So I went to the dealership today and had them order it for me. $25 a set! That's $50 for four little 2-inch pieces of plastic!!!! Arrgh...