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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Suspension | Brakes | Chassis > headlight alignment after drop



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      06-20-2012, 01:49 AM   #1
mashimarho
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headlight alignment after drop

I feel as if my headlight visibility dropped quite a bit after my drop.
Anyone else experience this, or is it just me?
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      06-20-2012, 11:03 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mashimarho View Post
I feel as if my headlight visibility dropped quite a bit after my drop.
Anyone else experience this, or is it just me?

Whoa - how far are you dropped? Assume same ammt drop all wheels.
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      06-20-2012, 11:04 AM   #3
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there is an alignment bar that you have to position correctly. I have coilover's and when i intalled mine, the alignment bar was off so the headlamps were soo off.

Fix it, it will automatically work
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      06-20-2012, 01:15 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Motastic View Post
there is an alignment bar that you have to position correctly. I have coilover's and when i intalled mine, the alignment bar was off so the headlamps were soo off.

Fix it, it will automatically work
Any idea where I can look more into this?
I think mine is off. Visibility is just gone. My high beams are almost normal..
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      06-20-2012, 01:30 PM   #5
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Use the screw driver in your trunk and adjust the angle until you like it. just remember to count the number of turns per side so you can keep them even. Here is the picture of the adjuster screw:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...5&postcount=20
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      06-21-2012, 07:31 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mashimarho View Post
I feel as if my headlight visibility dropped quite a bit after my drop.
Anyone else experience this, or is it just me?
The only difference should be if your kit added rake (front lower than the rear).

Proper headlight aiming is performed by setting the angle at which the lights project (e.g. 3 inch drop over 25 feet). If your "after" ride has the same front/rear level as "before", then no aiming is necessary.
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      06-21-2012, 07:32 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by e90pilot View Post
Use the screw driver in your trunk and adjust the angle until you like it. just remember to count the number of turns per side so you can keep them even. Here is the picture of the adjuster screw:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...5&postcount=20
Please don't adjust it "until you like it".

Take some time to do it right for best performance and to be courteous to other drivers with whom you share the road: http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/aim/aim.html
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      06-21-2012, 08:48 AM   #8
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I just thought of something else. It could be that one of the ride height sensors was left unplugged. There's one on the left front and one on the right rear. It's happened to more than one person here for the same reason.
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      06-21-2012, 09:08 AM   #9
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I'm having the same problem. Headlights are pointed almost straight at the ground after I dropped my car. My cars a xi so it used to sit higher in the front than a normal i. I read somewhere that you can reset your active heading control somehow?
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      06-21-2012, 10:13 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by e90pilot View Post
I just thought of something else. It could be that one of the ride height sensors was left unplugged. There's one on the left front and one on the right rear. It's happened to more than one person here for the same reason.
Yes, absolutely needs a double check.
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      06-21-2012, 10:15 AM   #11
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These cars have headlight level sensors in the front and back suspension that when functioning correctly, automatically adjust your headlight level, even if you change the rake of the car with an upgrade.

The rear level sensor is easy to R&R incorrectly.
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      06-21-2012, 11:02 AM   #12
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How do you reset it/adjust it?
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      06-21-2012, 11:10 AM   #13
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http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6704
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      06-21-2012, 11:12 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eb_xi View Post
How do you reset it/adjust it?
Scroll up a bit. I posted it. The automatic adjustment is only relative meaning it just tried to keep the current level constant. The baseline angle is still set manually. The headlights are also automatically calibrated every time you start the engine.
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      06-21-2012, 11:14 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by luckyu View Post
These cars have headlight level sensors in the front and back suspension that when functioning correctly, automatically adjust your headlight level, even if you change the rake of the car with an upgrade.

The rear level sensor is easy to R&R incorrectly.
The sensor only adjust to changes in attitude WHILE DRIVING due to acceleration, braking, passenger or luggage load. They are not an "automatic aiming system that makes sure everything is right".

You must manually aim the lighting system properly on a level surface according to specifications like that found on Daniel Stern's site and the leveling system will maintain proper level while driving etc...

It is true that this system should help with a situation where suspension rake is caused by changes to spring lengths but I see most posters here giving far too much credit to "automatic" systems and presuming they can solve world hunger when they're really far more simplistic than people think they are.

The R&R of the level sensors should absolutely be double checked in the case of the OP. Hopefully his problem is simple. Of course, that doesn't mean a full re-aim using proper procedures is a waste of time. Generally I find most manufacturers send out cars with the lights aimed too low for their protection (just like speedos read too fast, suspension is tuned to understeer etc...etc..)
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      06-27-2012, 05:19 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Surly73 View Post
The sensor only adjust to changes in attitude WHILE DRIVING due to acceleration, braking, passenger or luggage load.
This is incorrect. The sensors work driving or no driving. The sensors do respond to changes in rake, as occurs in suspension upgrades, as well as luggage & passenger load.

If the headlight aim is way off after a suspension upgrade, then the sensor rod arms are the most likely cause of the problem.
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      02-10-2013, 11:02 AM   #17
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So theoretically after a proper coil over install the headlights should still be level and not point downwards or upwards since the auto levelers "reset" after you start the engine? I would think they need to put adjusted to go a tad bit higher to compensate for the car being a bit lower to shine further down the road.
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      02-11-2013, 09:00 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MiStR StEvO View Post
So theoretically after a proper coil over install the headlights should still be level and not point downwards or upwards since the auto levelers "reset" after you start the engine? I would think they need to put adjusted to go a tad bit higher to compensate for the car being a bit lower to shine further down the road.
They don't reset after a restart. It'll just do a self check and if you installed the front sensor arm wrong it may point downwards all the time. I made that mistake by clipping on the sensor clamp incorrectly, my headlights were aiming to the ground and barely moves when doing the self check and after my friend helped me correctly installed the arm everything was fine. Didn't had to adjust the aim or whatever.

Just a tip! Before removing the front sensor while working on your suspension I suggest snapping a picture of the orientation of how the sensor is clamped on the lower control arm
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      02-11-2013, 12:39 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wei718 View Post
They don't reset after a restart. It'll just do a self check and if you installed the front sensor arm wrong it may point downwards all the time. I made that mistake by clipping on the sensor clamp incorrectly, my headlights were aiming to the ground and barely moves when doing the self check and after my friend helped me correctly installed the arm everything was fine. Didn't had to adjust the aim or whatever.

Just a tip! Before removing the front sensor while working on your suspension I suggest snapping a picture of the orientation of how the sensor is clamped on the lower control arm
Thanks for the heads up! I'm currently looking at the KW V2's. Heard nothing but good about those!
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      02-11-2013, 01:33 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MiStR StEvO View Post
Thanks for the heads up! I'm currently looking at the KW V2's. Heard nothing but good about those!
Do it! I just installed my V3 back in December and have absolutely no complaints. I would recommend getting them from Pat@Sonictuning. He will give you a awesome deal for those.
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