View Full Version : does your left headlight aim lower than the right?


kaoman
02-09-2007, 05:21 PM
Does your left headlight aim lower than the right? I know projectors have a beam pattern ____/------- but after getting my car back from the bodyshop, my left headlight points significantly lower than the right, so much so that I can see two distinct beam patterns even less than a few feet away from my garage door. When I pull up behind a car, only the right headlamp hits the body of the car.

It's hard for me to judge because I was driving for about a month with my left headlight pointed literally at the ground from a parking collision. I don't remember what my halogen oem lights looked like before then.

I'll take pictures later tonight when its darker..

User24
02-09-2007, 05:25 PM
I've learned from reading RX8club that it is supposed to be like that.

dillsrotary
02-09-2007, 05:27 PM
its normal, its called the Z pattern, driver side is lower so you don't blind on coming traffic

kaoman
02-09-2007, 05:46 PM
this shot is from about 3 feet away..
http://sid.nrgservers.net/li/IMG_2673.jpg
about 8 ft away..
http://sid.nrgservers.net/li/IMG_2671.jpg
16 ft
http://sid.nrgservers.net/li/IMG_2671.jpg
zoomed in
http://sid.nrgservers.net/li/IMG_2674.jpg
just driving around
http://sid.nrgservers.net/li/IMG_2679.jpg
http://sid.nrgservers.net/li/IMG_2680.jpg
http://sid.nrgservers.net/li/IMG_2677.jpg

I appreciate your guys' opinion.

abbid
02-09-2007, 05:52 PM
Its not an opinion its fact. Theres a reason and it was mentioned before, its so you dont blind oncomming drivers.

mysql101
02-09-2007, 05:55 PM
from this picture, it looks like your lights are off more than the usual amount...

http://sid.nrgservers.net/li/IMG_2674.jpg

abbid
02-09-2007, 05:57 PM
http://sid.nrgservers.net/li/IMG_2680.jpg
but it looks OK in this picture.

User24
02-09-2007, 05:57 PM
I can try some photos tonight, but mine do not quite look like yours. You have a staircase Z pattern, mine is more like a double V pattern.

In the same vein, I have been in front of a trucks that had real powerful lamps. I get quite angry and think to myself, "That's why HID are not meant for self-install..." and I turn my outside mirrors down.

staticlag
02-09-2007, 06:11 PM
Your headlights are really misaimed, take it into the dealership.

kaoman
02-09-2007, 06:25 PM
Your headlights are really misaimed, take it into the dealership.
im unsure if the dealer will be able to do anything--it's the body shop that disassembled and reassembled the headlight/bumper/left fender.

I know the left lamp should be lower than the right lamp marginally, but im in a situation where i think the difference is too much. I dont know if my judgement is off because of how long ive been driving with collision damage so thats why I'm asking you guys. I dont wanna walk into the body shop talking like an ass.

abbid I just drew circles around the center of the bulb patterns in the photo you copied. My left lamp hits the bottom of the driveway, my right the garage doors. This is normal?

BigAAA
02-09-2007, 06:33 PM
I just bought mine, and they do that, maybe not as bad, but it is definately there.

Easy_E1
02-09-2007, 07:12 PM
They look way off. I would have them adjust the left one up. I have mine so the top of both beams are even. This still has the drop on the left side and no one has flashed me for having them aimed incorrectly.

mysql101
02-09-2007, 07:23 PM
in case you're unaware, the lights are adjusted by a regular screwdriver. Just push the tip in, and twist. No need to remove the bumper or anything. Just pop the hood and go.

dillsrotary
02-09-2007, 07:31 PM
do your lights hang low
do they wobble, do they flow
can you tie them in a knot
can you tie them in a bow

kaoman
02-09-2007, 08:53 PM
I adjusted the lamp myself and now it makes a proper staircase. I also had someone drive towards me and he said the level is fine. Thanks for everyone's help!

Next order of business.. washing and waxing in sub-20 degree weather...

d j
02-09-2007, 10:46 PM
Next order of business.. washing and waxing in sub-20 degree weather...

get some deicing fluid, mix it with water and dump it on yor car. presto! winter proof!!!

Mazda-Rati
02-10-2007, 07:02 AM
Does your left headlight aim lower than the right?

Only when its warm out. When it's cold I can't really tell :yelrotflm

User24
02-10-2007, 09:37 PM
Do you still have 3 breaks at 16 feet? At around 15 feet I have 2 breaks:

http://www.underway.us/rx8/15ft.jpg

http://www.underway.us/rx8/15ftzoom.jpg

aydiomio
07-04-2007, 07:07 PM
hello,

question, HOW DID YOU GOT TO ADJUST THEM??????