Headlight adjustment screws

[Rich_NYS]

My headlight adjustment screws are in pretty rough shape, what are my options for replacements?

I also need the screws for the retaining rings that go around the headlight. They look to me to be somewhat standard, any recommendation on replacing those with a better quality screw?

Thanks!

[OverlandMan]

My headlight adjustment screws are in pretty rough shape, what are my options for replacements?

I also need the screws for the retaining rings that go around the headlight. They look to me to be somewhat standard, any recommendation on replacing those with a better quality screw?

Thanks!

Here's the DMCH part # for the adjustment screws. 101202
And the URL: http://store.delorean.com/p-6887-screw-nut-adjusting.aspx

They come with the plastic retaining clips. At least they did when I ordered several last year.

The others you can probably source from a hardware store locally. I haven't looked prior.

[Rich_NYS]

What would McGuyver do?

[DMC5180]

What would McGuyver do?

USE Duct tape and a Swiss army knife!

[OverlandMan]

What would McGuyver do?

Put a Blaupunkt in his DeLorean. Past that, he'd probably just order the screws and tabs from a reputable vendor.

[Jonathan]

USE Duct tape and a Swiss army knife!

Don't forget a rubber band and some bubble gum!!

Or better yet... skip the MacGyver version and go for the Red Green version!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLBDqchND0s

[DMC5180]

I prefer this one:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bZIcMcSXZk

[Rich_NYS]

You guys are no help! -LOL

Is there a crossover part for the adjustment screw?

[OverlandMan]

You guys are no help! -LOL

Is there a crossover part for the adjustment screw?

Not that I know of. I gave you the DMCH part # along with a URL. It's $6 and it comes with the plastic brittle clips that usually need to be replaced (or break in the process of removing). Not sure what else you're looking for...

[Rich_NYS]

Not that I know of. I gave you the DMCH part # along with a URL. It's $6 and it comes with the plastic brittle clips that usually need to be replaced (or break in the process of removing). Not sure what else you're looking for...

I got the link....thanks. :thumbup:

I was hoping there was a replacement I could buy tonite and work on it over the weekend. I'm planning to drop the car off at at the shop Sunday night and would like to have it put back together first.

[EdR5150]

Headlight Adjustment Screws: I bought some M6 Cap Screws in the correct length from Ace Hardware. I then cut a groove into them with a rotary tool and a cutting wheel.
Headlight Bezel Screws : I used #6 Stainless Sheet Metal Screws also at Ace Hardware.

Don't over-tighten the bezel screws.

[AugustneverEnds]

Unless you are able to make your own, good luck trying to find these screws anywhere. Last spring I searched auto parts warehouses and specialty hardware suppliers and came up with nothing. My line of thinking was tons of cars from the 1970/80s came with rectangular Sylvania headlights so these screws must be used on other cars: Not so much it seems....

[1batt4u]

I lost those little springs when I took the head light unit out.

Where can I get those from??

[Rich_NYS]

Headlight Adjustment Screws: I bought some M6 Cap Screws in the correct length from Ace Hardware. I then cut a groove into them with a rotary tool and a cutting wheel.
Headlight Bezel Screws : I used #6 Stainless Sheet Metal Screws also at Ace Hardware.

Don't over-tighten the bezel screws.

Good call on the cap screws, I'll likely do the same [at least] until this summer when I take things apart again to work on the fascia. I'll be happy if I can get everything back together this weekend, as long as I know I'll be working with good screw heads the next time I disassemble.

Thanks!

[Rich_NYS]

Unless you are able to make your own, good luck trying to find these screws anywhere. Last spring I searched auto parts warehouses and specialty hardware suppliers and came up with nothing. My line of thinking was tons of cars from the 1970/80s came with rectangular Sylvania headlights so these screws must be used on other cars: Not so much it seems....

I don't yet see where/how they are unique to this car. Aside from the metric thread, they resemble a GM adjuster and as Ed pointed out, they're basically a M6-1.0 x 40mm cap head screw. I'll update as things progress :cheers:

[Rich_NYS]

Edr5150, something familiar about that username....are you from California? -lol!

:biggrin:

[Patrick C]

I don't yet see where/how they are unique to this car. Aside from the metric thread, they resemble a GM adjuster and as Ed pointed out, they're basically a M6-1.0 x 40mm cap head screw. I'll update as things progress :cheers:

I wonder if something like this would work. Comes with plastic adapter.

http://dmpfasteners.com/shop/headlight-adjustment-screw-kit-1-4-28-x-2-gm-1962-on-2pc-set-13465?zenid=qlujd32q4hi175int06e7ra2n3

[Rich_NYS]

I wonder if something like this would work. Comes with plastic adapter.

http://dmpfasteners.com/shop/headlight-adjustment-screw-kit-1-4-28-x-2-gm-1962-on-2pc-set-13465?zenid=qlujd32q4hi175int06e7ra2n3

GM adjuster. Aside from being non-metric, it looks pretty close. If the insert will fit into the housing, I say there's a good chance it'll work.

Last night my dad mentioned John D working at GM and that might be a good first direction to look in.

[DMC5180]

Here's a possibility

http://www.dormanproducts.com/p-3184-42117.aspx (http://www.dormanproducts.com/p-3184-42117.aspx)

others to choose from here:

http://www.dormanproducts.com/c-430-headlamp-adjusting-screws.aspx

[Rich_NYS]

I lost those little springs when I took the head light unit out.

Where can I get those from??

I'll bring one with me when I look at adjusters & let you know if I find a replacement.

[Rich_NYS]

I don't yet see where/how they are unique to this car. Aside from the metric thread, they resemble a GM adjuster and as Ed pointed out, they're basically a M6-1.0 x 40mm cap head screw. I'll update as things progress :cheers:

Correction 60mm

[DMC5180]

I don't think they are metric. The two thread sizes I've come across are 1/4-28 and #12-28. As long as the Plastic nut fits the Bracket thread pitch does not matter.

[Rich_NYS]

I don't think they are metric. The two thread sizes I've come across are 1/4-28 and #12-28. As long as the Plastic nut fits the Bracket thread pitch does not matter.

I'm not getting a good read on the screw; I was out last night looking at screws and could've sworn it matched to M6-1.0, then today I went looking for a screw long enough, and also looking at adjusters. It seems to fit a metric thread better than standard, but I can't commit to that. I agree, as long as it's matchy-matchy w/the insert it'll be A-OK.

Anyhow, I think a guy at Advance found a match:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/rnb-42187/overview/year/1973/make/dodge/model/monaco

This guy has a new GTO and was totally into this mission. When I handed him the adjuster & told him what car it's from, it was like the rest of the store became invisible -lol! He has even quizzing the other guys to see if they could guess what car it's from. It seems even the headlight adjuster from a DeLorean gets a lot of attention, haha...it was great.

He ordered the adjusters & I'll know this week if it fits. I was actually only interested in something right now 'cause I want to put things back together with new screws, but he was so into it I didn't have the heart to not follow through with him.

When I take it apart again this summer I'll know I need to order the adjusters and will reassemble with new stuff.

I got a M6-1.0 x 60mm phillips head cap screw and some #6 stainless screws for the bezels (thanks Ed.)



Thanks for the help everybody....

[1batt4u]

I'll bring one with me when I look at adjusters & let you know if I find a replacement.

Thank you!

[DMC5180]

Post a good close up photo of that screw and plastic nut If you have it out.

[Bitsyncmaster]

I don't think they are metric. The two thread sizes I've come across are 1/4-28 and #12-28. As long as the Plastic nut fits the Bracket thread pitch does not matter.

With these smaller metric screws often you can replace it with a US machine screw and US size washers. For the 5 mm screws that hold covers in the trunk, I used all 10-32 SS machine screws. The fit is a little loose so I don't have to worry about using anti-seize. Screws into nylon have even more tolerance to change them.

[DMC5180]

With these smaller metric screws often you can replace it with a US machine screw and US size washers. For the 5 mm screws that hold covers in the trunk, I used all 10-32 SS machine screws. The fit is a little loose so I don't have to worry about using anti-seize. Screws into nylon have even more tolerance to change them.

M5 and 10-32 are nearly identical with virtually the same thread pitches and one being a few thousands smaller in diameter. In non-critical applications like the access covers I can see doing that without any harm.

[Rich_NYS]

I'll bring one with me when I look at adjusters & let you know if I find a replacement.

I didn't find that specific spring, but it appears to be a fairly common size. It looks to be available from DMCMW, Part #101204 that's where I'll get it when I replace mine. I was able to get mine put back together, so I'm good now until I take them apart this summer (and I'll know I need to order parts in advance.)

[Rich_NYS]

Anyhow, I think a guy at Advance found a match:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/rnb-42187/overview/year/1973/make/dodge/model/monaco

This guy has a new GTO and was totally into this mission. When I handed him the adjuster & told him what car it's from, it was like the rest of the store became invisible -lol! He has even quizzing the other guys to see if they could guess what car it's from. It seems even the headlight adjuster from a DeLorean gets a lot of attention, haha...it was great.

He ordered the adjusters & I'll know this week if it fits. I was actually only interested in something right now 'cause I want to put things back together with new screws, but he was so into it I didn't have the heart to not follow through with him.




The adjuster insert was the correct one, but the screw was 13mm+ too short. It appears to be a Chrysler adjuster, I'd guess there's an exact match somewhere. It's essentially this with a bit longer screw: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/rnb-42189/overview/

Since I was able to get everything back together, I won't waste any more time looking. I now know I need 'em, so I'll order them from DMCMW before I take everything apart again.

[mr_maxime]

Has there been any update on this? I have 2 that need replacement and I'd like to replace all of them.

[AugustneverEnds]

I don't know if you have an Advance Auto near you: http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/dorman-help-sealed-beam-adjusters-universal-42117/5013410-P?searchTerm=beam+adjustment

or Autozone: http://www.autozone.com/screws-pins-and-clips/headlamp-retaining-screw-universal-type/help-1-4-in-28-sealed-beam-adjuster-screw-and-nut-insert/721902_0_0/?checkfit=true

[mr_maxime]

Those don't fit. They are larger than the Delorean ones.

[mr_maxime]

Oops double post

[AugustneverEnds]

Really? I used ones from Advance without any fuss

[Rich_NYS]

I don't recall exactly what I settled on, but I think I found something that had the same insert but shorter screw.

I'll look through my notes on 10372 & try to find more info.


(*Edit* I found this note:"Mopar Headlight Four Lamp Adjuster Kit 72 73 74-78 Challenger Charger RoadRunner"

So this might be a fit: http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/201534558386?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_noapp=true

I don't recall what I settled on, but usually whenever there's plastic involved I try for a new crossover part. I can't confirm the part above is a direct fit.)

[mr_maxime]

I don't recall exactly what I settled on, but I think I found something that had the same insert but shorter screw.

I'll look through my notes on 10372 & try to find more info.


(*Edit* I found this note:"Mopar Headlight Four Lamp Adjuster Kit 72 73 74-78 Challenger Charger RoadRunner"

So this might be a fit: http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/201534558386?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_noapp=true

I don't recall what I settled on, but usually whenever there's plastic involved I try for a new crossover part. I can't confirm the part above is a direct fit.)

Those are a fit for VIN10201. Thanks man, I needed 3 screws so that saved me at least $4.