Headlight adjusters...Hope this helps someone... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

LDO · 04-22-2017, 12:28 PM

I was working on my 85 grille this weekend and while I had it removed, I noticed that 2 of my (4) headlights were actually aimed low, not exactly aimed though. Looks like the plastic adjuster clips had dry rotted and were so brittle, the bits that were still there, fell apart in my hand.

Checked with Napa and several other places but it seemed that the originals were only going to be available online and I hate waiting on the mail so I went to Oreilys and picked these up. They seemed to be the correct size but when I tried to install them, I couldn't get the legs to lock in place no matter how I installed them, from behind or in front of their mounting hole.

I actually broke a set before I took a closer look at them. How could these not work i wondered...? They looked identical to the originals.... then i started to really examine them. It looks like the originals stick out further allowing the 'locking legs' to come out and lock the clip in place. Then when the screw goes thru, it expands everything and life is good.

I took the last one I had left and slightly trimmed the edges of the locking legs and presto!!! They worked great!

My truck is an 85 and all of the headlight adjuster clips were very brittle so it may be something you guys want to look.

Hope this helps everyone out.

Pics.
First pic is the package of 2 that I bought.
Second pic is of my original clip.
Third pic I used the tip of my scribe to identify where you need to trim them. Noticed one of the 'legs' is broken off, this was one of the ones I sacrificed before I got creative. Just a bit with a sharp razor blade or exacto knife and you're good.

Shugalou · 04-24-2017, 03:52 PM

Good to know, if/when I get to that point I now know there are adjusters...thanks for sharing.

DieselSJ · 04-24-2017, 04:55 PM

Same experience - the chain store replacements suck. The issue I had is that they would strip as soon as I tried to crank on them to adjust the lights.

I bought a full set from LMC and they were 100x better quality.

lilpoindexter · 04-24-2017, 09:47 PM

I got some for my '78 from classic industries...i think they are better.

Shanep87 · 04-25-2017, 08:08 PM

I broke all the ones I bought online and the ones from orileys were the only ones that didn't give me a hard time.

04-22-2017, 12:28 PM	#1
LDO Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Senatobia, MS Posts: 1,292	Headlight adjusters...Hope this helps someone... I was working on my 85 grille this weekend and while I had it removed, I noticed that 2 of my (4) headlights were actually aimed low, not exactly aimed though. Looks like the plastic adjuster clips had dry rotted and were so brittle, the bits that were still there, fell apart in my hand. Checked with Napa and several other places but it seemed that the originals were only going to be available online and I hate waiting on the mail so I went to Oreilys and picked these up. They seemed to be the correct size but when I tried to install them, I couldn't get the legs to lock in place no matter how I installed them, from behind or in front of their mounting hole. I actually broke a set before I took a closer look at them. How could these not work i wondered...? They looked identical to the originals.... then i started to really examine them. It looks like the originals stick out further allowing the 'locking legs' to come out and lock the clip in place. Then when the screw goes thru, it expands everything and life is good. I took the last one I had left and slightly trimmed the edges of the locking legs and presto!!! They worked great! My truck is an 85 and all of the headlight adjuster clips were very brittle so it may be something you guys want to look. Hope this helps everyone out. Pics. First pic is the package of 2 that I bought. Second pic is of my original clip. Third pic I used the tip of my scribe to identify where you need to trim them. Noticed one of the 'legs' is broken off, this was one of the ones I sacrificed before I got creative. Just a bit with a sharp razor blade or exacto knife and you're good. Attached Images __________________ Once a Marine, always a Marine! My (Her) 57 Build "Beverly" My 66 Build "Betty" My 85 C10 "Old Blue" Help Me Find "Old Blue" OLD BLUE PART II

04-24-2017, 03:52 PM	#2
Shugalou Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 458	Re: Headlight adjusters...Hope this helps someone... Good to know, if/when I get to that point I now know there are adjusters...thanks for sharing. __________________ Found my dad's old truck http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=563321 Newspaper Article Publishing the quest find my dad's old truck http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe...ticle12494281/

04-24-2017, 04:55 PM	#3
DieselSJ Registered User Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 574	Re: Headlight adjusters...Hope this helps someone... Same experience - the chain store replacements suck. The issue I had is that they would strip as soon as I tried to crank on them to adjust the lights. I bought a full set from LMC and they were 100x better quality. __________________ 87 R30 CC Dually, TBI 454, NV4500, zero rust barn find 87 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, 6.5 turbodiesel, 700R4

04-24-2017, 09:47 PM	#4
lilpoindexter Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: los angeles Posts: 1,130	Re: Headlight adjusters...Hope this helps someone... I got some for my '78 from classic industries...i think they are better.

04-25-2017, 08:08 PM	#5
Shanep87 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 5	Re: Headlight adjusters...Hope this helps someone... I broke all the ones I bought online and the ones from orileys were the only ones that didn't give me a hard time.



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