6th Generation Maxima (2004-2008) Discussion of the 6th generation Maxima. Come see what others are saying.

Readjusting Headlights.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 31, 2006 | 06:48 AM
  #1  
MaximaRacer_95's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 358
From: Houston TX
Readjusting Headlights.

Has anybody readjusted the headlights? The factory setting has the right one higher then the left one (yes i know why) but if you have changed it which one did you adjust to the right one or the left anotherwords which headlight did u move to match the other one with (which side, while viewing it from the driver's seat)? I just want that straight cutt-off line. thanks in advance.
Old Aug 31, 2006 | 03:57 PM
  #2  
Tek-Niq's Avatar
my rear view mirrors flap like a f-ing bird
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,268
you will blind the hell out of people if you do that... there's a reason why is lower..

but, if you wanted a straight cut, you will have to raise the driver side headlight up some.
Old Aug 31, 2006 | 04:43 PM
  #3  
RHMax's Avatar
Newbie just Registered
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,795
From: LA/OC, CA
Both left and right lights are aimed higher on the right, like a backward z pattern. If you try to aim the left side up, to on-coming traffic will get blinded by your left headlight.
Old Aug 31, 2006 | 10:39 PM
  #4  
lightonthehill's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,143
From: a meadow south of Atlanta
Your choices:

1 - Lower the right beam to match the left, and don't do any fast driving at night (or you'll be outdriving your headlights).

2 - Raise the left beam to match the right, and never drive at night (you will blind all oncoming traffic, and either cause an accident or get arrested or shot).

3 - Leave the beams as they are (and should be). Symmetry in trim or cosmetic features is one thing. Symmetry in headlight beams is insanity on wheels.
Old Sep 1, 2006 | 05:01 AM
  #5  
jcalabria's Avatar
NINE-time Maxima Owner
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 680
From: Charlotte
Left and right cut-offs are dead equal on my '07. Low beams work quite well - good illumination with no blinding of oncoming traffic.

However, when in high beam and the cut-off is lifted, the center of the beam projects upward... the center hotspot of the beam is WELL above the road surface and actually rises with distance. Seems like the lamp needs to be lowered, then raise the cutoff to compensate on the low beam side.

Don't know if this is a change in design or setup for '07 or a unique issue with mine.
Old Sep 1, 2006 | 05:05 AM
  #6  
bluemaxx's Avatar
Moderator GT-R
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 19,780
Originally Posted by jcalabria
Left and right cut-offs are dead equal on my '07...
Me too '04.
Old Sep 1, 2006 | 08:22 AM
  #7  
BadBlackMaxSL's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,205
From: Fairview Park, OH
Originally Posted by bluemaxx
Me too '04.
Me three.

Consider me stupid but I never knew or heard of the right light being higher than the left. What would be the reason, to see what's in the trees on the side of the road?
Old Sep 1, 2006 | 09:40 AM
  #8  
MAX2DAMAX's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,684
Originally Posted by BadBlackMaxSL
Me three.

Consider me stupid but I never knew or heard of the right light being higher than the left. What would be the reason, to see what's in the trees on the side of the road?
First is not that is higher, that one is designs to give out more light at a higher level to iluminate road signs.
Old Sep 1, 2006 | 10:51 AM
  #9  
bluemaxx's Avatar
Moderator GT-R
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 19,780
The cutoff isn't flat, each lamp takes a decided upturn on the right. You're right, it illuminates the hell out of road signs.
Old Sep 1, 2006 | 11:23 AM
  #10  
jcalabria's Avatar
NINE-time Maxima Owner
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 680
From: Charlotte
Originally Posted by bluemaxx
The cutoff isn't flat, each lamp takes a decided upturn on the right. You're right, it illuminates the hell out of road signs.
Mine looks kinda like this when about 20' from a wall...


Both sides are IDENTICAL in brightness, pattern and height... just offset the width of the car.
Old Sep 1, 2006 | 01:08 PM
  #11  
Tek-Niq's Avatar
my rear view mirrors flap like a f-ing bird
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,268
here is our cut off (HID):

Old Sep 1, 2006 | 02:02 PM
  #12  
MaxJ04's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 348
Originally Posted by Tek-Niq
here is our cut off (HID):



tek,

how do u read that .. i mean i bought a set of HID headlights on ebay and they're off i just watn to konw how to re-aim them ... those numbers are kinda wierd and i'm new at this ... hence the DIY ... and i guess when i did the DIY i may have messed it up a little??? i don't know but anyway to correct this? and to center both beams ... meaning both beams are supposed to straight? and not towards the middle? because my right one i think is aiming more towards the left so any advice? thanks

MaxJ
Old Sep 1, 2006 | 02:32 PM
  #13  
Tek-Niq's Avatar
my rear view mirrors flap like a f-ing bird
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,268
the numbers in parenthesis are in inches, without are in mm..

check this one out:
Old Sep 1, 2006 | 09:31 PM
  #14  
lightonthehill's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,143
From: a meadow south of Atlanta
Have the beam patterns been changed between '04 and '07? Or could the patterns be slightly different for HIDs and non-HIDs?

My pattern on the garage wall from my '04 SL (HIDs) looks exactly like the diagram posted by Tek-niq at 4:08 PM Friday. The cutoff of my left beam is definitely below the cutoff of my right beam.

But jcalabria's diagram of his '07s beams posted at 2:23 PM Friday is clearly different than mine, in that both beams are cut off at the same level.

Curious.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
mpbclutch33
8th Generation Maxima (2016-)
3
Sep 8, 2015 06:21 PM
mikekay
7th Generation Maxima (2009-2015)
0
Aug 10, 2015 12:52 PM
yongjun
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
21
Jun 10, 2001 02:56 PM
Cumalot
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
5
Nov 9, 2000 05:05 AM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:51 AM.