E30 manual headlight adjustment

[SoupAnxiety]

I have a 1992/J 325i with the facelift smiley lights and the aim of the lights is a bit off to say the least. The hydraulic adjuster has never worked in my ownership but I thought I'd finally get round to adjusting the lights manually. I popped the covers off and only have two out of eight adjusters in total! The two that I do have are seized and not in the best shape.

I'm looking at rebuilding the adjustment mechanism and after looking at the RealOEM diagram I think I need -

Adjusting screw
63121385397 x8
Intermediate piece
63121394252 x4
Rubber bushing
63121378369 x12

This will allow me to rebuild all adjusters across both sides.

Can anybody confirm if this is correct? Before I bite the bullet and buy the parts is there any way to adjust the lights without the screws by moving the fittings within the housing? I'm guessing not as this would presumably move around when driving but I thought I would ask. Thanks.

[paultv]

I replaced all the adjusters and removed the hydraulic piping which was all shot. The end of the pump part on the lamp housing which raises and lowers the lights ( low beam outers only ) has a knurled finish, this works fine as a manual adjustment device, it has limited travel so you need to set it as close to straight ahead as possible before re-fitting.

Replacing all the bushings and screws made everything accurately adjustable, there is no other way to set the aim using the fittings.

Paul

1989 325i cabby

[Brianmoooore]

There is a threaded steel rod leading from the hydraulic cylinder to the cup in the headlight. This needs to be screwed outwards about three turns or so to raise the beams enough to bring the correct aim within the range of the knurled adjusters.