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Headlight pattern after collision repair

Coachboz

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Hi. '21 F150 Platinum was in an accident. Collision repair did a good job, but my headlight patterns were noticeably different after repair. First I thought they just screwed up the alignment. After further research, I think they maybe replaced them with a different type and this pattern is as-designed to reduce glare for oncoming traffic.

Would love to hear others' opinions. Is this as designed or misalignment? thanks!

In the second pic, the truck is centered on the center of the garage door.

Ford F-150 Headlight pattern after collision repair Frame-09-12-2024-08-08-38


Ford F-150 Headlight pattern after collision repair IMG_5254
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Paul Neubauer

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My '21 Platinum also has new headlights and they are different than the originals. I feel the road is no longer lit up right on the left side and there is a huge dark spot at the centerline.
 
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Coachboz

Coachboz

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My '21 Platinum also has new headlights and they are different than the originals. I feel the road is no longer lit up right on the left side and there is a huge dark spot at the centerline.
That's EXACTLY my situation. I think that must be how the new ones are made in order to reduce glare to oncoming drivers. And there doesn't seem to be a ton of information out there about this -- was hard for me to find. And my collision repair place really didn't get it either.
 

Paul Neubauer

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That's EXACTLY my situation. I think that must be how the new ones are made in order to reduce glare to oncoming drivers. And there doesn't seem to be a ton of information out there about this -- was hard for me to find. And my collision repair place really didn't get it either.
I can't find any information on what the adjuster shown in the picture does and believe it may fix the problem. The dealership just keeps telling me the headlights automatically level themselves which is true but there has to be some initial aiming done to get them correct first.
Ford F-150 Headlight pattern after collision repair IMG_0187
 
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Coachboz

Coachboz

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I can't find any information on what the adjuster shown in the picture does and believe it may fix the problem. The dealership just keeps telling me the headlights automatically level themselves which is true but there has to be some initial aiming done to get them correct first.
I found my vertical adjusters, but my understanding is that the horizontal alignment is fixed in the casing, so if the casing is installed properly, you don't further adjust it horizontally. I'm guessing here because I haven't found an authoritative source clarify any of this for me.
 

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Paul Neubauer

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I found my vertical adjusters, but my understanding is that the horizontal alignment is fixed in the casing, so if the casing is installed properly, you don't further adjust it horizontally. I'm guessing here because I haven't found an authoritative source clarify any of this for me.
I haven't found an answer either but the adjuster circled in my picture is usually covered and must do something since my truck was returned with both uncovered after I complained they were aimed wrong.
 

FaaWrenchBndr

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I found my vertical adjusters, but my understanding is that the horizontal alignment is fixed in the casing, so if the casing is installed properly, you don't further adjust it horizontally. I'm guessing here because I haven't found an authoritative source clarify any of this for me.

The manual states that horizontal movement of the housing is not adjustable. I’ll look for that reference.

Ford F-150 Headlight pattern after collision repair IMG_6517
Ford F-150 Headlight pattern after collision repair IMG_6518
 
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Coachboz

Coachboz

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The manual states that horizontal movement of the housing is not adjustable. I’ll look for that reference.

IMG_6517.jpeg
IMG_6518.jpeg
Thanks. That confirms it.
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