E39 Headlight adjustors (with DIY fix)

[msm]

Anyone ever replace their headlight adjustors on their E39. Apparently it's a common fault on the E39, where the 2 plastic adjustors break off. I just discovered mines are broken after trying to get the lights adjusted. Anyway, I need to find a pair - will try BMW later today, but I was told that these are not sold separately as you have to buy the whole headlight.


DIY HERE http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=386

 

[freerider]

Do you know what the part looks like? http://www.realoem.com go have a look there and see if you can point out the individual part.

 

[msm]

Do you know what the part looks like? http://www.realoem.com go have a look there and see if you can point out the individual part.

This is what they look like. Mine is in about 20 pieces.

 

[Bossman]

Anyone ever replace their headlight adjustors on their E39. Apparently it's a common fault on the E39, where the 2 plastic adjustors break off. I just discovered mines are broken after trying to get the lights adjusted. Anyway, I need to find a pair - will try BMW later today, but I was told that these are not sold separately as you have to buy the whole headlight.

Hi There, i have a E39 530d with the same problem, i cut a standard 28mm hole in the top of the casing and repaired the actuators with manufactured parts i made myself , the reason is that my particular headlight lenses cannot split, they used epoxy on them , so the oven trick did not work for me, let me know if you got it right.
Afterwards i just put a standard blank rubber grommet in the hole for sealing.

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Do you know what the part looks like? http://www.realoem.com go have a look there and see if you can point out the individual part.

I see that you can find the parts at odometergears.com as well.
I also own a e39 530d with the same problem.

 

[msm]

I managed to get mine open - did the oven thing, but still took me about 20 mins to get it open. Put it in the oven for about 1 minute at a time and each time wedged it more and more open. BTW, there are 2 screws at the end that u need to remove first (Will take some pics when I do it again).

Anyway, after looking at the internals, I figured I can make a "home made" jobbie that will do the trick. However, needed to buy some bits first. Will try to get it done this weekend and post some pics.

 

[Hellas]

Good idea to post some pics and a step by step. Pics are easier to read than words...at least for some people...

 

[msm]

.. the reason is that my particular headlight lenses cannot split, they used epoxy on them , so the oven trick did not work for me, let me know if you got it right.

Also have epoxy on mine. The trick is to "preheat" the oven to 200 for about 3 mins before you start. I only used the top grill of the oven. Then put in the headlamp for about a minute each time. Then gently pull apart the piece that was heated. Keep putting the headlamp in the oven again, rotating to heat mainly one part at a time.

Will take some pics when I do it again.

 

[freerider]

I have moved the DIY into the DIY forum

Here http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=386