I just had both of my headlight assemblies replaced by Honda (please don't ask why), when I got the car back I noticed that (on the driver's side only) there is a large gap between the light and the bumper (about twice as large as on the passenger side).

When I asked the Service Mangager about adjusting the light so that the gap is smaller at the bottom I was told that there is not way to adjust that. I really don't believe that.

For those who have taken the front of the car apart or even just the headlights out, is there any adjustment that can be made while installing the headlight assembly?

If this can't be adjusted, how well does everyone else's headlights fit? Are the gaps between the lights and the bumper the same on both sides?

 

S2k Dude,

They did not put the bumper back well. The bumper has height adjustable brakets so you can move it closer or further to the headlights. Bring it back and ask them to move the bumper higher!

 

Phantom, they didn't take the bumper off (or even loosen it). The light was removed from inside the wheel well.

The tech said specifically that he did not want to mess with the bumper and get any of the body work out of alignment.

 

S2k Dude,

Well, you would thik moving the bumper up is your only choice because you very well cannot push the light downward.

Does the bumper look lower on the driver side than the passenger side? Maybe the tech working on the light pushed the bumper down?

Moving the bumper up is not a big deal...

The teck was being lazy. I took off the bumper to move it up because on one side the bumper crease looked larger than the other.

 

When I look at where the bumper lines up to the fender the gap looks normal or the same on both sides.

I'd rather they didn't mess with the bumper anyway since I've heard of some people having paint peeling because one part was rubbing on another.

It's definitely the headlight that needs to be adjusted not the bumper.

So I ask again, is there any adjustment on the headlight mounting points?

 

Dunno about that one...

Anybody know? Speak up!

 

here is what you need to do.. I was playing with the lens in my headlights so that's what I base my answer off of..

you should be able to losen the top two bolts under the hood... There are two bolts and you need a 10 mm socket for them. Once you have it losened, you inspect it and find a way to push on the back of the light. (there is a way to get to it, I forgot the details however)

What it sounds like he (tech) did was push the light too far back and then bolted it down. It is their responsibility to align it before they bolt it in.

Hopfully you will be able to push the light out some to compensate for the gap. That's what I did after reinstalling my lights.

Looks perfect now.

 

It was the service manager that gave me the answer that the light could not be adjusted. I think I'll take another look at it, thanks cjb80.

 

S2k Dude,
According to my 2000 Service Manual (I think it's still the same for 2001 model for the headlight?); on page 22-69 (Headlight Replacement):The first step is to remove the bumper. and the 2nd step is to remove the front part of the inner fender as necessary. Step #4 you 'll also have to remove the corner upper beam (I think that's what holding the light assembly in it's place.??

Sorry for not visiting this site as often as when I use to have my S. You are welcome to come by and borrow my Service Manual, since I don't really need it right now.

 

Simply put, this is a botched job. If they had taken off the bumper, which you should always do when replacing the headlamps, they would have been able to get the fit perfect. Having replaced my own lamps with clear corners and pulled off the bumpers, what they said about getting the body out of alignment is total bull.

You should demand that they fix it. It's just another example of dealer incompetence.