wobbly headlight E39

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4
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Location
Charlotte NC
#1
I have a '97 528i. One of my headlights wobbles excessively. My dealer told me this is a common problem which can only be fixed by replacing the entire headlight assembly. The other headlight is starting to come loose as well. If I replace both with stock units, the bill will be $600. I see 2 possibilities (other than having the dealer do this). 1. find a fellow owner who has replaced his good headlight assemblies with aftermarket unit and buy the old ones from them. or 2) find a good aftermarket alternative. Any advice...or offers to sell. thanks
 
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Location
Edmond, OK
#3
yea, they told me the same thing, it's the adjusters. They are fairly simple to replace and if you DIY, around $25 to fix. Broken adjusters are very common and if you buy another used set, they are probably broken also.
 
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4
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Location
Charlotte NC
#4
thanks for the reply. I should mention that these are not Xenons. Are the adjusters the white plastic rod-like objects I see advertised? Also, are there instructions for replacing them.
L
 
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705
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0
Location
Edmond, OK
#5
Even if they are not xenons they use the same part. I don't know if there are instructions for replacing them, but it's pretty straight forward. The hardest part is getting inside the headlight. It's clipped shut and one of the clips is melted so it won't come open. Pry gently and it will come open. The clips are easy to break, so be gentle.
 
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705
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0
Location
Edmond, OK
#6
Yes, those white plastic rods are the adjusters. Even if they are not xenons they use the same part. I don't know if there are instructions for replacing them, but it's pretty straight forward. The hardest part is getting inside the headlight. It's clipped shut and one of the clips is melted so it won't come open. Pry gently and it will come open. The clips are easy to break, so be gentle.
 
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Location
Florida
#7
Abdoman said:
Even if they are not xenons they use the same part. I don't know if there are instructions for replacing them, but it's pretty straight forward. The hardest part is getting inside the headlight. It's clipped shut and one of the clips is melted so it won't come open. Pry gently and it will come open. The clips are easy to break, so be gentle.
If you read my post above and follow that link as I stated, the instructions are there under "replacing broken headlight adjusters". Even pictures.....
 
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166
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Location
Florida
#9
yeah I actually replaced mine. You need to set aside a couple hours. Remove the entire headlight assemblies..not hard just step by step. Then you DONT take the plastic off the front, you DO take the back off. Actually removing the adjusters is a little tricky because you have to overcome the force of the ball joint keeping them in. After that its pretty easy to pop the new ones in and close it back up. It's an all labor job so I'm sure a mechanic will charge you hundreds for it. It can all be done with basic tool so give it a shot just think it through and good luck!
 


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