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First post on this forum, so please go easy! Anyhoo, I recently purchased a 2011 G37x and have been thrilled with it. I wanted to step up the output of the HIDs, so I purchased a set of Osram CBIs (from TRS) and had my local shop install them. Had no idea how simple it was until he showed me.
When they were originally installed, the "hot spots," if you will, were dead center and cutoff was pretty damn good. However, I have noticed recently that my hot spots have shifted to the left of the car. I can't think of any foolish event or impact that may have happened since the install to cause this, but I'm otherwise stumped. I'd like to know if there is a relatively simple way to correct/shift/rig the bulbs to face more center?
I've had the bulbs swapped across as instructed, and that actually led to some weird effects. I recently swapped back in the OEM bulbs, thinking it was a bulb issue, however the issue still remains.
I've included some pictures for reference, I apologize if theyre not the best. Any insight or guidance is more than appreciated, guys.
*Please pay no mind to my pictures being first and
Passenger light is right center of vehicle
Driver side has actually shifted more left than shown now.
Last edited by Gatson1983; Nov 6, 2015 at 11:25 AM.
Those are nice bulbs and color looks great. Anyway...
How long were they in before you noticed the shift? Was it gradual, or all at once?
Obviously, when they were installed they were fine and that makes sense since you shouldn't have to re-aim your lights for a bulb swap.
I'm thinking the installer either didn't secure the clip around the bulb base on re-installation or opted to take the screw out to remove the fixture as a whole, and didn't secure that screw upon re-installation.
Those are nice bulbs and color looks great. Anyway...
How long were they in before you noticed the shift? Was it gradual, or all at once?
Obviously, when they were installed they were fine and that makes sense since you shouldn't have to re-aim your lights for a bulb swap.
I'm thinking the installer either didn't secure the clip around the bulb base on re-installation or opted to take the screw out to remove the fixture as a whole, and didn't secure that screw upon re-installation.
Sean
Thanks so much for the quick reply! I had those originally installed around the middle of August I believe, so right around the beginning of September I noticed a gradual shift. I went through customer support at TRS, and they gave me a few instructions, but so far no dice.
The installer did secure the clips around the driver side. He did state the passenger side clip was damaged, however i did not notice him having to screw, or unscrew for that matter, anything to get inside. I'm fairly confident, after watching the technician, that I could simply turn the wheel and remove the plastic covering and take a look.
A rep from TRS did state something about the bulb being locked into the ballast(?) at 12 o clock, not entirely sure what that means.
That looks pretty damn simple if i say so. Going by the instructions, and witnessing it with the tech, i know there weren't screws put in after. He snapped it in place and put the cover back over the HIDs. He didnt screw anything.
I can only assume the screws put the final bit of pressure on the housing so it's in place. These aren't proprietary screws are they? Something i could pick up perhaps?
If the installer didn't do any screwing or unscrewing then the screws are probably not your issue.
He mentioned that the passenger side was loose due to the clips? If so, that's probably the issue.
Get at the clips and make sure they are all battened down properly. Before you do that however, reach in and see if you can wiggle the fixture at all. If it wobbles even a minuscule amount that's not good. A millimeter or so will have a big impact on the direction of the beam.
I don't know exactly what size/etc the screws are but you can get them at NAPA or someplace like that. For the love of everything that's holy, do not get them from the dealer if at all possible. They will require you to sign over your 401k.
also note that the stock projector and lens isn't the best in the market so you'll never really achieve those sharp cutoffs with a nice even light pattern unless the projector is modified to include a cleaner and sharper cutoff shield and more importantly, a clear lens. I'm shipping out my headlights to 180 for this exact fix to optimize my projector/cutoff shield as well as a TSX-R clear lens. I have own both the CBI and Nightbreakers from Osram, the nightbreakers are an awesome awesome bulb if you dont care too much about aesthetics.
If the installer didn't do any screwing or unscrewing then the screws are probably not your issue.
He mentioned that the passenger side was loose due to the clips? If so, that's probably the issue.
Get at the clips and make sure they are all battened down properly. Before you do that however, reach in and see if you cantv wiggle the fixture at all. If it wobbles even a minuscule amount that's not good. A millimeter or so will have a big impact on the direction of the beam.
I don't know exactly what size/etc the screws are but you can get them at NAPA or someplace like that. For the love of everything that's holy, do not get them from the dealer if at all possible. They will require you to sign over your 401k.
Sean
So I took it to belle tire......this is what we found.
Looks like the clip is broken on the left side of the device. Same thing on both sides. Any idea if this part can be replaced individually?
Ah the stupid clip turns out to be the culprit. I'm sure Infiniti will sell you just about any part.
First, do you think you could take it back to the original shop? Ask them if they can do anything about it. I'm wondering if they did it in the first place...maybe they can make it right.
One caveat: if they muffed it the first time...they might make it worse without the proper supervision. You now have the knowledge and the insight to speak to them with confidence. Get 'em to have a look and tell you what they think.
Yea I will be calling them shortly. I had Belle Tire do a write up for me of what went wrong just in case this gets ugly. I'd really hope they'll just eat it and do what needs to be done.
I'm also going to call the dealership and see if i can't get a price on this beforehand.
Yea I will be calling them shortly. I had Belle Tire do a write up for me of what went wrong just in case this gets ugly. I'd really hope they'll just eat it and do what needs to be done.
I'm also going to call the dealership and see if i can't get a price on this beforehand.
Good Luck. It sounds like you have all contingencies worked out.
That clip is broken on one of my lights too, found that out when replacing a burnt out bulb so who know how long it was like that. I just bent the spring steel part around the back a bit and it holds in place no issues.
Good Luck. It sounds like you have all contingencies worked out.
Be sure to let us know how it works out.
Sean
Well, went to the shop with information in hand. They were VERY resistant to believe what I was saying to begin with, however when I showed the owner the write-up from the other shop and started talking liability, the owner was very apologetic and is pushing through an authorization to get both headlight housings replaced, with labor, at the dealership. This is like a $2600 repair.
Crazy. I should know for sure by Monday at the latest.