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MG MGF Technical - Headlamp Alignment

Does anyone know how to align the headlamps i.e. where are the adjusters and what are the settings.
Paul Hutchinson

There are 2 alen key holes in the back of the headlamp unit that ajust the top/bottem in and out.
as for settings - just ajust till they look right.

HTH
Kingsley

>just ajust till they look right.<

Actually there are exact figures laid down by law that you must comply with - any decent garage will have the equipment to check them (it is an MOT thingy).

Ted

Ted Newman

but good enough is good enough to drive untill the MOT when they will be adjusted (for free if you go to a good garage).

Will
Will Munns

No Will - there is a law and unless things have changed recently laws MUST be complied with.

But perhaps not in Cambridgeshire! Remind me not to drive there after dark as I am going to be blinded by incorrectly adjusted head lights on cars that have been adjusted by their owners and they (the cars) still have eleven months to go to the next MOT.

It isn't actually difficult to do your self and most good DIY books explain how - so why not pop down to your library and borrow a book and then set your lights up correctly - beats breaking the law and perhaps causing an accident because you blinded an oncoming driver!

Ted
Ted Newman

'Slightly out' adjusted lights are IMHO no worse than driving with the front fogs on, or driving with a broken front light- both of which are far more prevelent and none of which are ever checked by the police.

Will
Will Munns

Will

Why have them out of alignment at all?

As I said it easy to adjust them correctly.

I do not have the exact details here BUT:-

Face a wall/garage door or such and be approx 15 feet away.

Measure the distance from the headlight centre to the floor and then mark this distance on the wall/door etc.

Adjust the headlights so that the main beam is just below this mark.

Whilst at it switch to dip and make sure that they are dipping down and to the left.

These are approximate guides that will:-

a/- Keep you on the right side of the law.

b/- Prevent you from dazzleing oncoming drivers at night.

Finally if in doubt pop along to your nearest MOT station and I am sure they will check them properly for you.

Ted
Ted Newman

Ted, this is the procedure that I would follow to get "ajust till they look right", so I think that we might be in agreement here.

Will
Will Munns

Will

I did find it strange that you would be happy to rely on 'good looks'.

Ted
Ted Newman

Why do you think I went for the 'F'? ;-)
cue long thread on HGF and Handling problems...

Will
Will Munns

Will

Do you think that the incorrectly adjsuted headlights could be a factor in the HGF saga? Or even the dangerous road handling experienced by Tony?

Ted:-)
Ted Newman

This thread was discussed between 20/03/2002 and 21/03/2002

MG MGF Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGF Technical BBS is active now.