G500 vacuum headlight adjustment
Nearside headlight fails to adjust from the dashboard control. Offside works fine.
Any help with the following appreciated -
Are the actuators serviceable?
Appears to be no vacuum at the pipe that attaches to the actuator, so where is the other end attached?
On removing the pipe from the actuator, small amount of green fluid appears - what is this!!!!!??
The moving part of the actuator is fully retracted into the housing, can be pulled out, but then springs back - is this a bad sign? (This isn't what he said verbatim - his language was not suitable for a forum with innocent readers).
Rgds, Marg
Hello Marg,
Basically, this is an unserviceable repair! i.e. you will need to replace the faulty part. The fluid you enquired about is the medium by which the rotational movement of the headlight level adjuster transmitts its movement to an up or down movement for the h/light.
This has been a poor design by by opinion, used by the best of manufacturers', for one example, Porsche used this concept experiencing a high degree of failure (based on personal measure rather than backed up with officiating surveys). No litigations accepted, merely expressing my personal opinion.
I have never had any opportunity to ever effect any repairs but, I would say this could be done. It is merely, finding a way to replenish this lost fluid. I suspect this to be a temporary measure, given the fluid has leaked once, what is there to say it would not leak again unless the source of that leak is addressed. Steer clear of attempting to dimantle the rotatry adjuster knob, you would simply loose the small steel balls in it.
Regards,
I know a few people who have tried to fix this - it is far more effort than it is worth. As Rakesh points out its a hydraulic system and is very prone to leaks. Fixing it usually involves pulling the dash in order to access the actuators.
Only one of mine works.
Fortunately, it is not a requirement in the UK for MOT although correct adjustment is of course
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Thanks chaps.
Won't bother to fix then, just use the screwdriver!
Rgds, Marg