This message is marked as Important.

Subject: Headlight adjuster replacement Author: Roderick : member since January, 2004 : 586 posts Posted on: 2008-03-03 23:37:11

I had to replace the headlight adjusters on my drivers side headlight after hitting a pothole the other night. Thought I’d share some pictures to help if you have to do it. The kit itself cost me $13.22 from my dealer.

Headlight unit removed from car


Separate the plastic lens from the main unit


Remove plastic boots and all bulbs. To remove xenon bulb remove these three torx screws to get the bulb out.


Now you need to separate the reflectors from the housing. This is the difficult part. Tie some string or wire behind the reflector and give a good tug to separate the two parts.


This is the housing. Arrows point to adjuster locations, both were broken, note pieces of the white plastic in the housing


Back side of reflector unit, note broken adjusters


This is the kit containing two new adjusters (one for low beam one for high beam)


You have to unscrew the old adjusters out from the back, count the number of turns as you remove them and replace with the new turning the same number of turns. This will give you a good place to begin aiming the lights.

Reverse the process to reassemble.


1998 528i - Oxford Green/Sand - Mechanically stock
Xenon upgrade - M5 corner lights - city lights - rear fogs

• Headlight adjuster replacement (pic) - Roderick 2008-03-03 23:37:11 (3639 views)
  • Damn. Thx!! I thought it was part of the whole assembly. Gotta get some now!!! - visionbmw7 2008-03-08 00:48:53 (277 views)
  • Another good writeup for e38.org ! (nt) - DavidC 2008-03-07 23:26:08 (251 views)
  • Re: Headlight adjuster replacement - kenh 2008-03-05 08:23:50 (347 views)