Problem aiming foglights

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dwcains
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Problem aiming foglights

Post by dwcains »

I'm having a problem aiming the foglights, and I just can't figure it out. The vertical adjustment screw turns freely and easily moves the light. The issue is that there is no tension on the light housing, so after they're properly aimed parallel to the road they'll eventually vibrate to a higher angle and end up aimed far too high. Is there a spring (as on the headlight aiming mechanism) missing from the housing or the aiming screw? This page on realoem shows the correct assembly for my car, and I don't see a spring listed (nor even the aiming screw):

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpar ... Id=63_0121
Dean
Lutz, FL

'85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
'87 Spider Veloce
'92 Spider Veloce
'08 350Z

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ron
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Re: Problem aiming foglights

Post by ron »

This is the lug on the foglight housing that is often broken off because the screw has to be undone before the mounting bracket can be removed.

Image

Insert the adjustment screw.

Image

Now the spring clip to hold in the screw.

Image

Screw into the mounting bracket.

Image

The problem is that the steel screw is going into a plastic thread that has a slot at the side so once it wears it will not tighten.

Image

I've successfully used PTFE tape on the screw to get it to hold position.

Hope this all makes sense.
They are ALWAYS rustier than you thought!!!!!!
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dwcains
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Re: Problem aiming foglights

Post by dwcains »

Thanks, Ron. I'm guessing the spring clips are absent on my car, but they should be easy to source and install. I'll have a look at it this weekend.
Dean
Lutz, FL

'85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
'87 Spider Veloce
'92 Spider Veloce
'08 350Z

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ron
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Re: Problem aiming foglights

Post by ron »

dwcains wrote:Thanks, Ron. I'm guessing the spring clips are absent on my car.
The spring clips ONLY hold the adjusting screw in place.
They are ALWAYS rustier than you thought!!!!!!
'85 M #228
'87 M #367
'88 High line.
'10 X5
‘84 Alfasud 1.5 ti
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dwcains
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Location: Lutz, FL

Re: Problem aiming foglights

Post by dwcains »

I'll have a look at it in a few days. From what it feels like, the screw threads in and out, and as I screw it in the light aims upwards, but when I screw it out I have to manually push the light to aim downwards. So, basically, there is no connection between the light and the screw.
Dean
Lutz, FL

'85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
'87 Spider Veloce
'92 Spider Veloce
'08 350Z

Image
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dwcains
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Location: Lutz, FL

Re: Problem aiming foglights

Post by dwcains »

I got home earlier than expected and had the chance to pull the lights apart. The clips are there, but they must be the incorrect part, as the hole is far too large for the adjuster screw.

Image

I should be able to pick up something suitable at the hardware store.
Dean
Lutz, FL

'85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
'87 Spider Veloce
'92 Spider Veloce
'08 350Z

Image
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dwcains
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Location: Lutz, FL

Re: Problem aiming foglights

Post by dwcains »

ron wrote:
dwcains wrote:Thanks, Ron. I'm guessing the spring clips are absent on my car.
The spring clips ONLY hold the adjusting screw in place.
I'm not sure I understand what you mean by that. The screws on mine thread into the rear section of the light housing (holes not stripped), but the part of the assembly which holds (and aims) the lamp is free to move back and forth on the adjuster screw. If I source a metal clip with a hole diameter to match the screw, don't you think that will work? I can't imagine how it worked originally, of that's not the case.
Dean
Lutz, FL

'85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
'87 Spider Veloce
'92 Spider Veloce
'08 350Z

Image
ron
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Re: Problem aiming foglights

Post by ron »

dwcains wrote: The clips are there, but they must be the incorrect part, as the hole is far too large for the adjuster screw.
Do you mean that the screw head will go through the hole?
They are ALWAYS rustier than you thought!!!!!!
'85 M #228
'87 M #367
'88 High line.
'10 X5
‘84 Alfasud 1.5 ti
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dwcains
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Re: Problem aiming foglights

Post by dwcains »

No, not the screw head, but the screw threads don't have any purchase on the metal clip. Because of that, the adjuster screw only acts as a limit to how far down the light assembly can pivot. There is no mechanism to limit how far the light assembly can pivot upwards, except the range allowed by the housing itself. That's why I initially thought there was a spring missing, such as on the headlight assemblies, which keeps the headlight bucket tight against its adjuster screw. Am I making any sense?
Dean
Lutz, FL

'85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
'87 Spider Veloce
'92 Spider Veloce
'08 350Z

Image
ron
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Re: Problem aiming foglights

Post by ron »

dwcains wrote:I got home earlier than expected and had the chance to pull the lights apart. The clips are there, but they must be the incorrect part, as the hole is far too large for the adjuster screw.

Image

I should be able to pick up something suitable at the hardware store.
Put the screw into the adjustment lug FIRST and then fit the spring clip. See previous pics.
dwcains wrote:No, not the screw head, but the screw threads don't have any purchase on the metal clip.
The screw has NO purchase on the metal clip. It is only there to hold the screw in place. See my previous pics.

If the screw is tight in the threaded part of the mounting clip it HAS to allow up and down adjustment.
They are ALWAYS rustier than you thought!!!!!!
'85 M #228
'87 M #367
'88 High line.
'10 X5
‘84 Alfasud 1.5 ti
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dwcains
Posts: 1465
Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2014 6:01 am
Location: Lutz, FL

Re: Problem aiming foglights

Post by dwcains »

Ah, now it all makes sense. I can see it in the 3rd pic you posted. Thanks very much for your info, and persistence in explaining this to me.
Dean
Lutz, FL

'85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
'87 Spider Veloce
'92 Spider Veloce
'08 350Z

Image
ron
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Re: Problem aiming foglights

Post by ron »

We got there in the end!
They are ALWAYS rustier than you thought!!!!!!
'85 M #228
'87 M #367
'88 High line.
'10 X5
‘84 Alfasud 1.5 ti
User avatar
dwcains
Posts: 1465
Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2014 6:01 am
Location: Lutz, FL

Re: Problem aiming foglights

Post by dwcains »

Thanks, again. Odd design, but it works as intended.
Dean
Lutz, FL

'85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
'87 Spider Veloce
'92 Spider Veloce
'08 350Z

Image
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