1971 'Cuda. New headlight adjustment hardware installation question.

[willhaven]

So, I tried to adjust my headlights using the factory visual adjustment procedure. I screwed the adjustment screws and I had two of the old brackets pop and break from the tension. I think they had been out of the car (they had not been painted), and the metal part got weakened and broke.

Anyways, I got the replacement headlight adjuster hardware. It looks like the metal bracket and plastic piece that holds the screw pop together to expand the metal bracket.

Anyone know how to install these? Do I just mash them in from the front using pliers or a mallet until it pops in? Is there some intelligent way to do it that I'm not considering?

The one in my hand is the old one. If you look at the top side of the old one in the picture, the metal part snapped off. The one where the screw is against my knuckles is the new one.



Thanks in advance.

If this one is any indication, getting all 8 of the old ones out is going to be... "fun."

[Rich G]

When I did mine I could not just snap them in like you would think they should. I took the plastic insert out of the metal clip being very carful not to break the taps (which I did on one ) Then I popped the metal piece in the housing and then I pushed the plastic insert in. I did have the buckets out and put a socket behind it and then hit them in.

[willhaven]

Sounds like a plan!

Thanks for the tip.

[jimynick]

I may be wrong here, but it seems to me that the holes used to be not perfectly square and you had to look carefully at the sizing of the adjuster to index it right. I also remember using a wee dab of lubriplate and a 1/2" deep socket on an extension with a judicious tap from a hammer to seat 'em. For what it's worth..

[rattlesnake]

Yep ole Jimmy is right. The holes are rectangular not square.

[willhaven]

I ended up breaking 3 or 4 of the new fasteners. Luckily most of the old ones still worked.

3/4 of the lights are now aimed properly. One just wouldn't adjust high enough, so I packed some aluminum under the bottom edge to boost it. Still too low. Passenger low beam. We'll see how it looks at night I guess.

I ended up using the socket/extension with a rubber mallet. Thanks for the tip there!