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On the outboard side of the 03-08 r230 headlamps is a white plastic wheel with holes evenly spaced around the perimeter. It can't really be seen with the headlamp installed unless the bumper is removed, the marker light is pulled and you peek in, or the side grilles removed on 030 bumpers.
Is this a headlamp adjuster for the projector? anyone have information on what it does?
Thanks!
I actually found a picture of my SL with the bumper cover off, and fender (partially) attached with this mount clearly visible:
It had been a while since I had the bumper off so I couldn't remember the layout.
The black metal headlamp bracket that swoops under the lamp assembly attaches to the side at this location. The evenly spaced holes allow the wheel to be turned through the bracket cutouts. The headlamp mounts on a threaded stud with a large black plastic bushing with teeth on it.
Turning the wheel seems to adjust the side to side position of the entire headlamp assembly? But not the projector alone.
Yes, that wheel has notches around it to insert a screwdriver and rotate it. It's to align the entire headlight housing and the bumper. Note that I said "fender" in my response above but I meant "bumper". Maybe I'm turning British? AFAIK, there is no horizontal adjustment except to move the entire housing. In addition to that wheel, the inner attachment bracket has slotted holes. It's actually quite a challenge to get everything lines up just right for both aim and gaps between the bumper, lights, and hood.
Ive got the gaps very close, Going to leave it alone. Now I need to figure out how to adjust the projectors. The headlamps are brand new but the light pattern is way out of whack. Distance for low beam is actually about the same, problem is the road in front of the car seems barely illuminated except for the first 20ft or so. This has me a little confused ��
To prevent blinding oncoming driver, headlights are supposed to be aimed so that they angle downward. On a car that sits low like the SL, it's hard to get good low-beam illumination that way. What you have to do is make sure the lights are aimed downward, even if that's only one inch over 50ft.
01-28-2017, 06:41 PM
AFAIK, there is no horizontal adjustment except to move the entire housing. In addition to that wheel, the inner attachment bracket has slotted holes. It's actually quite a challenge to get everything lines up just right for both aim and gaps between the bumper, lights, and hood.
