Headlight Height Adjustment Screw Gone

[Deleted account 210516001]

Rode in the dark for the first time in a while last night and noticed the headlight beam was too high. I went to adjust it when I got home and the beam height adjustment screw is missing. The flip switch for loaded and unloaded is still there as is the sleeve that the adjustment screw goes through. It looks like I have to buy all three bits as a unit.

I have had the headlight off and there is nothing rattling about inside and the reflector appears to still be on all its balls and springs. I have been able to slip a cable tie through the adjustment hole and clamp it to pull the beam down below what will dazzle oncoming traffic. It may even be set about the right height but if it is that is pure luck and there is no way of setting any fine adjustment if it is needed to get past the MOT.

I have never adjusted the beam so have not stripped the thread on the adjuster by turning it too far but wondered if the thread might strip just against the tension of the spring over time and the reflector being pushed about when fitting bulbs or burners. . If it has stripped will a new adjuster solve the problem or is it the bit in the headlight that strips? If it is the bit in the headlight is a replacement headlight unit the only answer?

 

[GADGET]

I think you will find its the last bit, unfortunately, have heard of it happening before

 

[Deleted account 210516001]

Thanks. I recall reading about it but can't find where. There was mention of some sort of mod that involved getting a nut in but I struggle to see how that could be done in the space available..

 

[juddadredd]

For the love of god can't anyone use google anymore

http://www.motorworks.co.uk/

Call them ask if they have one, if they don't the next scrapper that comes in they will take one from, great lots of blokes there.

 

[Deleted account 210516001]

I know how to get a replacement. What I was wondering, before I part with £30 for a new adjuster assembly is whether the fault is liable to be with the missing screw or if the thread inside the headlight is liable to be stripped in which case I would be better off getting a used headlight unit complete with a working adjuster at £155.

 

[juddadredd]

Probably just the screw use some of that Blue loctite on it matey.

If you lose it after that then replace the unit.

 

[Deleted account 210516001]

Thanks. Replacement on order from motorworks. For anybody that finds themselves in a similar situation this is the current get you home arrangement if you still have the sleeve that the screw goes through. With the headlight unit off you can push a thin cable tie down the hole that the adjuster screw goes in. It bends back round on the inside of the unit enough to grab the end through the main beam bulb access. Stick another cable tie onto the end of this and then use the first cable tie to pull the second one through until the ratchet is pulled against the hole in the bottom of the reflector. Slip a suitable size washer over the cable tie against the adjuster sleeve then pull the reflector with the cable tie into the correct level against the spring. Slip the ratchet of another cable tie over the end sticking through the washer to anchor it in place. You can of course only keep pulling the beam down and if you pull it too low there is no way of letting it back up without cutting the cable tie and starting again.

Not an elegant solution but better than driving about with your HID only lighting up the treetops until you can get a proper repair done. The accompanying highly detailed technical drawing is not subject to copyright and is drawn to a scale of about a smidgen to an inch or maybe a centimeter.

 

[gperinguey]

This was extremely helpful thank you, I have exactly the same issue but am unable to source the part for the 2019 1250GS anywhere locally. I have had a look on the http://www.motorworks.co.uk/ site, but can't find it there either. Do you perhaps have a part number of description I can use? Many thanks!

 

[Santa-2512]

This was extremely helpful thank you, I have exactly the same issue but am unable to source the part for the 2019 1250GS anywhere locally. I have had a look on the http://www.motorworks.co.uk/ site, but can't find it there either. Do you perhaps have a part number of description I can use? Many thanks!

2019 would more than likley have the LED headlight

You would need to visit you BMW dealership

 

[gperinguey]

Yes correct LED. Dealer says the entire headlight assembly needs to be ordered. Madness!