CLK headlights

[2skiddy]

Hi, Just got the CLK55 AMG, 2003 model. I am amazed at all the gadgets and still trying to find them all. One question however, is how to adjust the Xenon headlights. I went for a drive in the dark and the beam is too close, need raising a tad. It says in the handbook that they are self levelling? Can anyone enlighten a technophobe? Sorry about the pun.

[Chauch]

They are indeed self levelling and there is no way from the dash of adjusting them.

[2skiddy]

Thanks Chauch for the quick response. Wonder why they are so bad?

[Chauch]

Might be worth getting someone to check them. I have a CLK with Bi-Xenons and really rate them so it does not sound right...

[matc]

You might find they are not leveling properly. When you turn them on, you should see them illuminate and then a short moment later the beam rise to a normal level. I have always found Merc Xenon's to be amazing.

[Kingdom]

Got a CLK55 AMG Cab myself with bi-xenons and they're fantastic. There is no way to adjust them from within the cockpit - best get them checked out!

[2skiddy]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I will get the hammer out!

[sneijder]

There's a link rod from the suspension to a control unit giving information to the headlamps (in a similar way to a load sensing valve on a truck) Best get a good indie to have a look at it if it's out of warranty. It's not a common problem to be fair.

[2skiddy]

Hey everyone thanks for your input, found the problem. The bracket that fits round the front ARB on the right hand side had snapped. It is only lightweight bent steel with little protection from the elements. The actuating rod fixes onto it, which in turn goes up to the levelling switch. Oiled up the U bracket which holds it on and carefully undid it. Then removed the other half from the rod, cleaned them back and welded them back together. Lathered it all in oil and freed up the joints and put it back on.
Going for a test drive tonight!
By the look of the design it is going to happen to lots of other owners in time. My CLK is fairly high mileage, so is ahead in things going wrong. What is strange is that the bracket appears to have been broken for quite some time, yet MB didn`t spot it at the last service. Is that normal? It was the previous owner that had it serviced in the summer, but it has only covered 1500 miles since.

[2skiddy]

Lights now as they should be.