Headlamps

[deke]

Just failed the MOT on headlamp alignment! Mine is left hand drive. It passed the last 3 years so they must be tightening up. Does anyone know which section to blank off please? (if yours is RHD I'll just reverse the procedure). Is it the small quadrant to the left of the lense on a RHD or the the right on a LHD?). Your collective wisdom would be most appreciated. Many thanks. P.S. I'm going for a retest tomorrow.

[peasant]

On both the square and round headlamps (don't know which one you have) you will see a triangular shaped pattern that is ground into the glass.

It is quite obvious when you study the patterns of the glass. If you put masking tape over that triangular section, you will have eliminated the finger of light of the assymetrical dipped headlamps that points the wrong way.

It still doesn't mean that your headlamps are properly aligned though, you might get that one checked before heading for the re-test.

[deke]

Thanks mate very helpful. Actually mine are the round variety and I suspected that might be the case. I bought a kit from Halfords but you really need a degree in astrophysics to understand the instructions. 144 diagrams and none relevant to the good ole' T25! As for alignment I am cautiously optimistic on this front as I've had no probs. before. Get over this and it's next stop Transport for London to try and get properly registered as exempt from the Low Emissions Zone ruling relating to old diesels. Otherwise we are in line for a £200 a day fine by July. Did I hear you all laughing!? Deke

[colynmac]

Hi Deke

That was unlucky with the alignmet on your headlights.

Mine just passed its MOT at a local garage and mine has the square conversion but I forgot to fix the beam benders on beforehand, and it still passed.

I think the previous threads are right whether square or round just look for the triangle and cover that up.

[peasant]

The Halfords "beam benders" are designed for modern clear glass headlamps.
On those lamps the assymetrical light is achieved via different shapes in the reflector at the back of the lamp which is very difficult to counteract with a sticker on the front.

The stone age technolgy on our van lamps is simple though. They have a round, even reflector and bend the light at the actual lens ...a bit of black masking tape has you sorted in seconds, no diagrams needed.

[Grun]

peasant wrote

a bit of black masking tape has you sorted in seconds, no diagrams needed.

[IMG:800:601]http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s88/ ... mpMask.jpg[/img]

Just like that.......... Right hand drive headlamp, masked not to dip left.

Mike

[g60steve]

http://www.brickwerks.co.uk/index.php?p ... t&Itemid=6

[deke]

Thanks Peasant and Colynmac. Good news, I just got back from a retest sporting a pass. The MOT man (Bob at Park MOT Colyn) was most impressed with the photo you sent Peasant! The Golf however failed on a lower suspension bush. I seem to be spending half my time down there these days.