Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/85435
HOW TO : AIM HEADLIGHTS oncoming drivers. When a fix is need- ed, a dealer charges about a half-hour of labor to use a headlight focusing machine. While that's not unreason- able, on some trucks you can do it yourself by simply turning screws. Sometimes a misdirected beam is caused by an imbalance on the truck. Before working on the lights, take these steps to assure that the truck body is as level as it should be, then check to see if the beams are still off: ing and at optimum spec for ride height. not too worn. Wear is indicated by flexing up and down or rocking when opening or closing the hood. proper alignment on both sides. Bolts can be loosened and the position of the hood on the brack- cowl and corresponding cups in the hood are in good condition. Assisting with this article were Ryan Nosia, service manager; George Torres, techni- cian; and Billy Tornetta, body shop man- ager of GL Sayre Peterbilt/International in Conshohocken, Pa. Brad Van Riper, a senior vice president at Truck-Lite, also assisted. Light your path P roperly aiming your headlamps can improve night vision and reduce the risk of blinding Late-model trucks have headlamp assemblies that are integrated with the hood. They use an aiming process called visual optical aim, and will have either VOL or VOR marked on their lenses. A dealer can use an electronic device to focus headlights by aligning the beam with certain markings. BY JOHN BAXTER This 2013 Peterbilt has a headlight vertical adjust- ment near the rear of its lens that can be adjusted with a Torx screwdriver. There's no hori- zontal adjustment. Many lamps must be adjusted from under the hood. On this International, the under-hood vertical adjustment is above the lamp, and the horizontal to the right. The screws have hex heads. 24 OVERDRIVE MAY 2012