wobbly headlights

Martin Harms · Post by **Martin Harms** » Fri Oct 10, 2003 9:56 am

One of my headlights "wobbles" on bumpy roads.
I seem to have read or heard something about a plastic linkage part in
the raising/lowering mechanism wearing out. Is there an on-line
description somewhere (with pics)? Can I fix the part or do I need to
buy new ones?

Also, since I drove a brand new C180 Kompressor Mercedes for a few weeks
as a loan car (Jeep getting fixed), the MX5 headlights feel like
kerosine burning 19th century lamps ...even on high beam. Only after
having experienced the difference do I recognize this as an important
safety feature. I do most of my MX5 driving out of town, no street
lighting at all.

Anybody replaced the standard bulbs with something brighter? And if so -
what?

Martin

DBM58 · Post by **DBM58** » Fri Oct 10, 2003 10:16 am

Hi Martin
I felt the same way and after a discussion with a representative from Hella, I fit new semi-sealed lights and bulbs - the existing lights were fully sealed. Below is a copy of the information from Hella:

There are two semi sealed inserts that you can use.

1/ Without the front position park globe holder part number 1056
Recommended retail $70.40 each +GST,
it also comes in a kit form Part number 5604 Recommended retail
$150.70 +GST which includes
the two bulbs, but they are not cool blue.

2/ With the front position globe holder Part number 1058 Recommended retail
$63.80 each +GST

3/ The cool blue bulbs are Part number XD1260/55CB Recommended retail
$23.98 each +GST

Hope this helps.
Regards
David Moughtin

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » Fri Oct 10, 2003 12:22 pm

Hi David, that's an interesting subject, the lights on our '94 seem very
directional, like two torch beams coming out of the bonnet with very little
side scatter, particularly on high beam, great on a long straight, but not
good on a dark winding road. Is your current set-up better?

Eric

DBM58 · Post by **DBM58** » Fri Oct 10, 2003 12:31 pm

Hi Eric
[...]

Simon Lord · Post by **Simon Lord** » Fri Oct 10, 2003 1:44 pm

Thanks, David - valuable information. Have the new ones made a big
difference?

Martin, I felt the same way after I was lent a Jaguar XKR8 for an evening
drive to Rotorua. I have to ask, though, where you get your Jeep serviced
that they lend you a C180K?

Simon
97 SR Ltd

jeff · Post by **jeff** » Fri Oct 10, 2003 1:45 pm

Eric,

you may have US patterned lights, rather than than
euro-style E-code lights.

The former is a (small, uninspiring) puddle of light,
while the E-codes have a good spread of light with a
nice horizontal cutoff! If you look at the lens
there's a pie-slice shaped portion to the E-codes.

Also, I bought some Hella "+30%" bulbs from an
auto-electrician (~$15 ea) - they're noticeably
brighter without that ricey blue tint that some cheapo
replacements have.

The hot mod on some older VWs is to upgrade the light
wiring for improved voltage, but nobody's ever
mentioned that for any Japanese car that I've seen...

Jeff

--- Eric West <eric@mcsdigital.co.nz> wrote:
[...]

lou Girardin · Post by **lou Girardin** » Fri Oct 10, 2003 3:18 pm

Try Hella, Bosch or Narva 'Plus 50' bulbs. It's like night and day. (Sorry)
Lou

John Forsyth · Post by **John Forsyth** » Fri Oct 10, 2003 3:34 pm

Go to Joll Auto Electrical in Marua Rd, Auckland.
Hella H4 headlight units are direct replacement, and will take
Hella +50% Xenon Ultra quartz halogen.
Keep away from blue, not enough light.
__________________
john forsyth BCG191

SLYDIT · Post by **SLYDIT** » Fri Oct 10, 2003 4:05 pm

You can replace the 7 inch round headlights (which are
sealed), with standard Hella 7" (H4?) compatible
lenses and H4 bulbs of your choice. I think the H4
lenses are about $60-70 each plus bulbs. These will
give much improved lighting. If you want to use 100w
bulbs though, you may want to look at upgrading the
headlight wiring to a thicker gauge wire.
Glenn "SLYDIT"

SLYDIT · Post by **SLYDIT** » Fri Oct 10, 2003 4:08 pm

Hey! wait a minute, all those other replies werent
there when i just checked my email!!Question already answered!!

EricW · Post by **EricW** » Fri Oct 10, 2003 5:08 pm

Thanks David,
I live at Whangaparaoa, so we could probably do that, (of course, we had to
wait for daylight saving to bring the subject up!). Drop me your contact
details to ericwest@internet.co.nz and I will give you a call

Regards

Eric

Grant · Post by **Grant** » Sat Oct 11, 2003 9:00 am

Interesting discussion as I have been thinking of replacing my OEM (Stanley,
I think) headlights. Pity I didn't keep the ones I puyt on my Jensen Healey
all those years ago. Cibie, I think. Had separate small reflector for the
main beam adjusted independantly of the dip setting. Excellent headlights.
However nobody answered the other part of the subject...wobbly
headlights! My left one has a slight wobble while the right one is perfectly
stable.

Grant.

Martin Harms · Post by **Martin Harms** » Sat Oct 11, 2003 9:12 am

Yes, thanks for that, Grant.

My right headlight wobbles! (Not much point fitting brighter lights - I'd just
get very bright wobbles!)

But thanks, everyone, for the hints and tips on brighter lights. I shall report
on what I end up doing.

Martin

The Simpsons wrote:

[...]

Grant · Post by **Grant** » Sat Oct 11, 2003 11:31 am

Well I decided I should spend some money so have just been to a friendly
auto electrician. He sold me a pair of Hella lights (with the park bulb) and
a pair of Tungsram +60 H4 bulbs. total cost including GST was $172.00. He
could have ordered the Hella's without the park bulb but they are dearer by
about $9.00 each!
As soon as I get the chance to fit them I'll report back.
Got to do some work now unfortunately, but I suppose it will pay for the
toys.

Grant in wet again Blenheim.

Post by **zorruno** » Sat Oct 11, 2003 5:41 pm

"The Simpsons" <grant@simtronics.co.nz> said:

wobbly headlights! My left one has a slight wobble
while the right one is perfectly stable.

This is common on earlier models, I believe you have to replace the popup
linkage as there is a knuckle joint that wears (has a teflon joint or
something from memory).

You'll see where I mean if you take off the popup plastic cover and wobble
the light front to back with it popped up. Hopefully you can go into a
wreckers and find the parts you need - or maybe go into a mazda dealer and
have a look through their parts diagram book and figure out some part
numbers.

I doubt you'll be able to fix it with kiwi inginuity, as I've tried before
on a '91 (e.g. duct tape, wire, cable ties etc) as the joint needs to work
properly to pop the lights.

zorruno

Grant · Post by **Grant** » Sat Oct 11, 2003 5:52 pm

I sent this reply this morning but something has eaten it, so here goes
again!

Well I decided I should spend some money so have just been to a friendly
auto electrician. He sold me a pair of Hella lights (with the park bulb) and
a pair of Tungsram +60 H4 bulbs. total cost including GST was $172.00. He
could have ordered the Hella's without the park bulb but they are dearer by
about $9.00 each!
As soon as I get the chance to fit them I'll report back.
Got to do some work now unfortunately, but I suppose it will pay for the
toys.

Grant in wet again Blenheim.

Grant · Post by **Grant** » Wed Oct 22, 2003 10:26 pm

I finally got to try out the Hella headlights last night on a trip back from
working in Nelson. They are a big improvement over the OEM lights with good
spread and distance on full beam, and a nicely focussed pattern on dip. Well
worth the money.
Now all I have to do is get rid of the slight wobble in the left light.
Grant.

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