Adjustable headlights

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scjimbo
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Post Mon Feb 17, 2014 3:32 pm

My old mans cabby has up and downy headlights. I am trying to get them out to sort out the front panel. There appears to be a blue green tube attached. How the hell do I get it off?

CIA
Sanchez
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Post Mon Feb 17, 2014 3:42 pm

They probably don't work so cut them out, most people have.
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scjimbo
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Post Mon Feb 17, 2014 3:58 pm

They do work. Is there a cable in there or is it air pressure?
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Brianmoooore
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Post Mon Feb 17, 2014 7:07 pm

If they work (both of them) I'd guess that this car is one in a thousand or more!
The working fluid is a mixture of water and glycol, and it is a sealed non serviceable system.
The hydraulic cylinders on the headlamps are fitted similar to a bayonet cap light bulb, and can be released by turning them slightly, or the plastic rivets that hold the cylinders' mounting frame to the headlamp frame can be removed.
This will still leave the threaded rod from the centre of the cylinder to the headlamp rim connected though. The front end of this rod is a small steel ball pushed into a plastic cup, from which it should be possible to pull it free, but the chances are that the plastic has deteriorated to a degree where it will break up, and need replacing. (Readily available from BMW).
Alternatively you can unscrew the rod completely from the cylinder, using a cross head screwdriver through the plastic cup and into a screw slot formed into the steel ball.
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BenHar
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Post Mon Feb 17, 2014 8:45 pm

If they really work, you could probably sell them for a fortune to one of the peados on here, if you can get them off the car.

Ben
Sanchez
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Post Tue Feb 18, 2014 1:22 am

You can't get the pipes and gubbins outin one piece I don't think.
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scjimbo
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Post Tue Feb 18, 2014 8:26 am

Cheers guys
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Brianmoooore
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Post Tue Feb 18, 2014 9:49 am

Sanchez wrote:You can't get the pipes and gubbins outin one piece I don't think.
They were fitted in one piece, and can be removed in one complete piece.
Was still available, quite recently, from BMW for about £70, but I think it's NLA now.