Headlight fixtures from 1998 Legacy

[W. Thornton Martin]

My Subaru Legacy 1998 headlights are aimed too low and the adjusters are
too seized up to reaim them. The headlights seem dim as well, which my
Subaru mechanic says might be the result of lens pitting over the years.
The mechanic was not able to make any adjustments and says I should
look into getting a new set of aftermarket headlights, if they are
available, because used headlights might have the same pitting/dimness
problem as I have now. Has anyone purchased new headlights for a 1998
Legacy on the aftermarket? If so, any recommendations about where to
purchase them? Are there any special ordering details to watch out for?

Thanks,

Bill

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

My Subaru Legacy 1998 headlights are aimed too low and the adjusters are
too seized up to reaim them. The headlights seem dim as well, which my
Subaru mechanic says might be the result of lens pitting over the years.
The mechanic was not able to make any adjustments and says I should
look into getting a new set of aftermarket headlights, if they are
available, because used headlights might have the same pitting/dimness
problem as I have now. Has anyone purchased new headlights for a 1998
Legacy on the aftermarket? If so, any recommendations about where to
purchase them? Are there any special ordering details to watch out for?

Thanks,

Bill

The least expensive approach would be to try one of the several
polishing kits for headlight lenses. I think Meguiars makes one.

Carl

 

[VanguardLH]

in message

My Subaru Legacy 1998 headlights are aimed too low and the adjusters
are too seized up to reaim them. The headlights seem dim as well,
which my Subaru mechanic says might be the result of lens pitting
over the years. The mechanic was not able to make any adjustments
and says I should look into getting a new set of aftermarket
headlights, if they are available, because used headlights might
have the same pitting/dimness problem as I have now. Has anyone
purchased new headlights for a 1998 Legacy on the aftermarket? If
so, any recommendations about where to purchase them? Are there any
special ordering details to watch out for?

So what does "dim" mean? That the level of light output is less than
what you expect? Or that the lens has become more opaque and possibly
yellowed? If the former is your problem, what prevent you from
replacing the bulbs? If the latter is your problem, the following
worked very well for me on a 92 Legacy (I found the product at an
Advance Auto Parts store):

http://www.crystalviewchemicals.com/myheadlight/index.html

There are the screws holding the frame around the headlamp onto the
body. There are screws that adjust the aim. If the aim screws are so
rusted up that you cannot move them, what happens when you spray to
soak them with lube (the kind that penetrates rust)? You could get
used headlamps and move the frame from them to your old headlamps, or
just use the entire assembly for the used headlamp. A used car may
not have been as used as yours. A used one from my local salvage
place (that has 1-year warranty on their parts) costs $99 and is
listed in A-grade quality. Still cheaper than buying a new one at
$225. I'm sure the Subaru mechanic would far prefer you buy a new one
from their parts shop and pay Subaru for putting it in and charge you
for the alignment.

 

[W. Thornton Martin]

The perceived headlight dimness may be due to the low aiming or a hazing
on the lenses, At one point I changed both headlight bulbs thinking
that the lamp output had degraded. I just hope I'm not going blind!
I will try the lens polish and try to free up the adjusting screws with
some solvent. Since I live very near Cargill Salt, operators of
America's largest deepest salt mine, corrosion of unprotected metal
objects such as screws and springs is very common in this area. Salt is
certainly the deicing material of choice around here. Headlights on the
later model Subarus are not aimable at all, so I am either lucky or
unlucky depending upon how one looks at it.

Bill

 

[W. Thornton Martin]

I have found headlight assemblies made by Replacement (about $150) and
TYC ($210). Not sure what accounts for the $60 difference. I'll call
the Subaru dealer tomorrow to see what they have just as a high-end
comparison.

Bill

 

[W. Thornton Martin]

Headlight assemblies are $260 each at Subaru and $230 locally at
Advantage auto parts store.

Bill