Abstract: A mechanism for adjusting the orientation of a vehicle headlamp includes a housing enclosing a gear movably coupled to an adjusting member such that rotation of the gear imparts linear movement to the adjusting member which controls the orientation of the headlamp. The housing also includes an internally projecting journal member which supports one end of the gear. The adjusting member extends through the journal member and projects from the housing. The housing can include first and second housing portions such that the first housing portion is secured between a pair of spaced walls projecting from the second housing portion and the adjusting member projects through the first housing portion and both of the spaced walls of the second housing portion. An additional feature includes a calibrating gauge or indicator to simplify resetting the correct translational position of the adjusting member which governs the proper vertical or horizontal alignment of the headlamp.