What is this shield in my headlights?

[schollianmj]

So I was looking at my stock headlights the other day and noticed there is a metal sleeve or shield that goes around the bulb... I understand the caps that cover the tip of the bulbs in most cars, but this piece of metal that seems to war around my bulb seems to be part of the reason behind the poor lighting. What does it do? Has anyone pulled theirs out? I plan on doin a retrofit in a month or so, but until then I have to do something. These lights are easily the worst I have seen output wise. I just bought new housings as the old ones were no longer able to be adjusted, and the output is better, but still horrible.

Thoughts?

[Fivefingerdeathpunch]

I believe its a guide for the light, also a reflector so it bounces off the side on the capsule then projectors outwards onto the road.

Taking it out wont help any.

[buickman104]

If you want good lighting out of these cars go ebay projectors with hid bulbs or go retrofit for best lighting. Other than that you are SOL.

[schollianmj]

Um yea.. Like I said I plan on the retrofit in about a month. I just hadn't seen this stupid metal shield before.

[matt5112]

Essentially what makes the high/low beam function work.

Shields the light from part of the reflector when the low beams are on, and allows the light through when the highs are on.

Part of the reason why high beams suck so terribly with most of those cheap HID kits.