Headlamp Aiming (Screen Method)

Horizontal aim is corrected by an adjusting screw on the outer side of the headlamp. Vertical aim is corrected by an adjusting screw in the top center of the assembly.

It is desirable to have a specific aiming area in a darkened location. This area should be large enough to accommodate the vehicle, plus an additional 25 feet measured from the face of the headlamp capsule to the front of the visual screen.
^ The floor on which the vehicle rests must be flat with the bottom of the screen. If the floor is not level, then compensation must be made.
^ The aiming screen should be 5 feet high by 12 feet wide with a matte white surface, well shaded from outside light, and properly adjusted to the floor on which the vehicle stands. The screen must be provided with a vertical center line, two laterally adjustable vertical tapes, and a vertically adjustable horizontal tape.

IMPORTANT
^ For each vehicle checked, the horizontal lines or tape on the screen must be adjusted. Vehicles of the same model and year will have different standing height for the headlamp capsules.
^ Provisions should be made for moving the screen, so that it can be aligned parallel with the rear axle. This will allow for a horizontal line drawn perpendicular from the center line of the screen to pass through the center point between the two capsules.
^ Once the screen has been set up in a permanent location, a reference line is to be painted on the floor to identify the proper location of the headlamps when they are being aimed.

- If a regular commercial aiming screen is not available, the screen may consist of a vertical wall having a clear uninterrupted area approximately 6 feet high by 12 feet wide, finished with a washable nongloss white paint.

1. Prepare vehicle for checking beam aim as follows:
A. Completely assemble all components on vehicle.
B. Fuel load to be 1/2 tank or less.
^ Only other load in vehicle is the driver.
C. Position vehicle so it is square with aiming screen, and with the headlamps directly over reference line which has been painted on floor.
D. Locate vertical line on aiming screen so that it is in line with center of rear window and over hood.
E. Mark center of front and rear windows with narrow tape. Use these "sights" to locate center of vehicle.
^ Move the vehicle or the screen until the center line of the screen comes into alignment with the two points.
F. Close doors.
G. Rock vehicle sideways to stabilize suspension.
2. With headlamps on high beam, observe center of high intensity zone on screen.

Inspect
^ Horizontal aim using horizontal adjusting screw if center is more than:
- 102 mm (4 inches) RIGHT of straight ahead.
- 102 mm (4 inches) LEFT of straight ahead.
^ Vertical aim using vehicle adjusting screw if center is more than:
- 51 mm (2 inches) ABOVE the horizontal line.
- 64 mm (2.5 inches) BELOW the horizontal line.
3. Switch headlamps on to low-beam, and observe left and top edges of high intensity zone on screen.
Inspect
^ Horizontal aim using horizontal adjusting screw if left edge is more than:
- 102 mm (4 inches) RIGHT of straight ahead.
- 102 mm (4 inches) LEFT of straight ahead.
^ Vertical aim using vertical adjusting screw if top edge is more than:
- 51 mm (2 inches) ABOVE the horizontal line.
- 64 mm (2.5 inches) BELOW the horizontal line.