Date:         Sun, 14 Mar 2004 10:35:48 EST
Reply-To:     THX0001@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         George Goff <THX0001@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: adjustment specs for headlights?
Comments: To: jjmojo@BLAZENET.NET
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

In a message dated 3/13/04 5:17:17 PM, jjmojo@BLAZENET.NET writes:

<< What are the adjustment specs for high and low beams for an 89 vanagon. >>

There are numerous websites which cover this subject in a thorough manner
complete with diagrams, so it is pointless for me to try to explain the procedure
with mere words.  One caution I can offer is to make sure that the target is
plumb to the grade on which the car sits.  While it is easy to find a vertical
wall, an adjoining LEVEL surface is a little harder to find; structures are
built plumb, but the ground around them is always pitched away from them.

One solution is to shot an extended line to the wall through two equal height
points on the side of the car.  This will establish a realistic baseline from
which to make the adjustments.  Choosing the two points on the car to equal
the centerline height of the headlamps is the most convenient way to do it
because it locates the target line directly.  A mason's line stretched to the wall
which goes through the benchmark points will locate the reference line on the
wall.  Or else, small lugs of some manner can be taped to the car at the
benchmarks and sighted over much like the sights of a gun.

The vertical centerline of the target can be established by installing tape
on the vertical centerlines of the windshield and the rear window, them
sighting along them to the wall.

I guess a laser level could be used in place of the mason's twine, but, after
all, even the Cathedral of Chartres was built without one.

George