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Car Forum / Dodge / Dodge Trucks / September 2008Proper low beam pattern?
2001 Dakota, 4x4 I've suspected it's been off since the beams were adjusted (it returned from overseas, where they drive on the "wrong" side of the road). This morning, heavy fog, I could hardly see: My low beams meet at a point some distance in front, and to the right side, of my truck - actually off the right edge of the road. At about headlight level - so they are adjusted straight out, or only slightly down. I'm not good at distance calculation, but I'm guessing they're meeting at a point in the air that they should be touching the ground at. Are they even *supposed* to be meeting at a point? So I took it back to the shop that did the adjustment, and some rude little old man insisted that they were right because "the machine" said they were right. I suspect that the machine was set wrong for the height of my truck, but I could see the futility in arguing with him, so I just took my truck and left. I know another mechanic I can take it to. Bah! Does anyone have a photo or graphic (or can describe) of what the low beam pattern should look like? Am I wrong? jmc > 2001 Dakota, 4x4 > [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > Bah! Does anyone have a photo or graphic (or can describe) of what the > low beam pattern should look like? Am I wrong? The wonders of Google :-) http://news.carjunky.com/how_stuff_works/how-to-align-your-headlights-abc449.shtml > jmc Suddenly, without warning, GeekBoy exclaimed (9/22/2008 5:08 PM): >> 2001 Dakota, 4x4 >> [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > >> jmc Oh, I googled and got plenty of descriptions on how to align them myself. I have no wall to work off of though, but what I'm asking is: is the pattern I describe above, correct for low beams? Here's a good description with graphics: http://www.coolbulbs.com/HID-VISUAL-HEADLIGHT-AIMING-PROCEDURE.pdf The machine they used was less than a foot from my truck. I've just come off the phone with the shop manager, and that was a pretty wasted conversation as well. The only concession I got was that he readjusts his own headlights, after they get readjusted to pass inspection. ??? But he insists that it's normal for the low beams to cross over past the righthand side of the vehicle. I'd say the drivers side is haring off at perhaps 30, 35 degrees. At this point I think I'm just venting. Somewhere, I gotta find myself a wall, pace out 25 feet, and take a picture of what I see. And find a friend who can help me adjust the damn things correctly. jmc jmc > Suddenly, without warning, GeekBoy exclaimed (9/22/2008 5:08 PM): >> [quoted text clipped - 49 lines] > > jmc Jodi, One of the aftermarket light makers had a target and procedure on line maybe Pia, I'm not sure. > Suddenly, without warning, GeekBoy exclaimed (9/22/2008 5:08 PM): >> [quoted text clipped - 30 lines] > myself. I have no wall to work off of though, but what I'm asking is: is > the pattern I describe above, correct for low beams? http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/aim/aim.html is probably worth a look. Depending on vehicle height, the beams should dip 0 to 3 inches, but not cross. Daniel Stern is a real helpful guy, and knows lights. |
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