Topic: What did you do to your car today?

[Firm]

Put another 1/2 day in on the Escalade, slowly bringing it up to my standards.

Finished cleaning the interior; door panels, and glass. Spent about an hour and a half tinkering with the rear wiper motor, a new motor is like $300, so I wanted to be sure I needed it before ordering. Triple checked all the wiring, grounds, safety switches, etc. Can't get anything more than clicking out of it, so I guess I need a new one.

I was able to program the remotes to work with the aftermarket remote starter someone installed - so that was a win. Also threw on a new pair of front wiper blades since I happened to have the right sizes sitting in my parts hoard.  Scrubbed and leather treated the third row seats - stored them in the basement. Lastly I re-mounted the license plates with nice stainless hardware and a clear plastic bubble on the front.

Still need to go around touching up paint chips and then do a proper paint correction.....No looking forward to that, too much real-estate

[mlin32]

Washed the front wheels on the 3er today. Since I am bringing the 3er to the shop on Tuesday, one of the jobs I'm having them do is to apply the anti-squeal grease to the front pads, so figured I'd at least clean up the wheels so they're not so hideously dusty to handle.

Couldn't loosen the two 18mm bolts that hold the caliper on last weekend, so asking them to do that for me. Main reason is a coolant change- the operating témperature isn't normal when I monitored it last weekend so hopefully they can just change the coolant and run some diagnostics, and hope nothing else needs replacement.....

[normancw]

Washed it, FINALLY!

Sent from my SM-G850W using Tapatalk

Looks great - love those wheels!

[normancw]

Anyways...I took a brief, bad video of the Viper idling.  It does it no justice.  What it sounds like at idle is an offshore boat with twin 502s idling.  Just a soul-shaking rumble..very deep.

Sounds great!

[Jaeger]

I was back in Ohio at AP again, this time to swap out the air ride on my LS to traditional shocks. 

How long did that take and how much did it set you back?

[Solstice2006]

Put another 1/2 day in on the Escalade, slowly bringing it up to my standards.

Finished cleaning the interior; door panels, and glass. Spent about an hour and a half tinkering with the rear wiper motor, a new motor is like $300, so I wanted to be sure I needed it before ordering. Triple checked all the wiring, grounds, safety switches, etc. Can't get anything more than clicking out of it, so I guess I need a new one.

I was able to program the remotes to work with the aftermarket remote starter someone installed - so that was a win. Also threw on a new pair of front wiper blades since I happened to have the right sizes sitting in my parts hoard.  Scrubbed and leather treated the third row seats - stored them in the basement. Lastly I re-mounted the license plates with nice stainless hardware and a clear plastic bubble on the front.

Still need to go around touching up paint chips and then do a proper paint correction.....No looking forward to that, too much real-estate

Sounds good.  Your recent ride, has me thinking of selling the two vans and getting a Tahoe.  Not getting anywhere selling the Odyssey.

[Julie]

It's been a couple of months, but we installed a UNIbrace underbody brace on the GTI.

It is a great, quality product. The GTI wasn't the most comfortable vehicle with (heavy, stock) 18" wheels (I may change those later). And being a hatchback, didn't have the most chassis rigidity.

This thing has definitely tightened and improved the ride comfort. I am very satisfied. Quality product too, and easy-peasy ordering and shipping process from the States.

[aquadorhj]

It's been a couple of months, but we installed a UNIbrace underbody brace on the GTI.

It is a great, quality product. The GTI wasn't the most comfortable vehicle with (heavy, stock) 18" wheels (I may change those later). And being a hatchback, didn't have the most chassis rigidity.

This thing has definitely tightened and improved the ride comfort. I am very satisfied. Quality product too, and easy-peasy ordering and shipping process from the States.

whoa, i didn't even know the transmission tunnel braces like that existed.

[HeliDriver]

It's been a couple of months, but we installed a UNIbrace underbody brace on the GTI.

It is a great, quality product. The GTI wasn't the most comfortable vehicle with (heavy, stock) 18" wheels (I may change those later). And being a hatchback, didn't have the most chassis rigidity.

This thing has definitely tightened and improved the ride comfort. I am very satisfied. Quality product too, and easy-peasy ordering and shipping process from the States.

That's good to hear about the UNIbrace. I've looked into it before, but never pulled the trigger. Can't remember why, exactly. Maybe I was concerned about ground clearance in winter. Doesn't look like it in the picture, but do you find it hangs down much?

I've also read good things about the rear brace (the interior one, behind the rear seats), but I just can't see myself giving up the cargo flexibility.

[Firm]

Put another 1/2 day in on the Escalade, slowly bringing it up to my standards.

Finished cleaning the interior; door panels, and glass. Spent about an hour and a half tinkering with the rear wiper motor, a new motor is like $300, so I wanted to be sure I needed it before ordering. Triple checked all the wiring, grounds, safety switches, etc. Can't get anything more than clicking out of it, so I guess I need a new one.

I was able to program the remotes to work with the aftermarket remote starter someone installed - so that was a win. Also threw on a new pair of front wiper blades since I happened to have the right sizes sitting in my parts hoard.  Scrubbed and leather treated the third row seats - stored them in the basement. Lastly I re-mounted the license plates with nice stainless hardware and a clear plastic bubble on the front.

Still need to go around touching up paint chips and then do a proper paint correction.....No looking forward to that, too much real-estate

Sounds good.  Your recent ride, has me thinking of selling the two vans and getting a Tahoe.  Not getting anywhere selling the Odyssey.

Now you're thinking


In between the rain today I polished the 3 rims on the Escalade that I hadn't done yet. Takes about an hour per rim, first with a buffer bit on a drill and then by hand. Does get rid of all the stains and tarnishing though, only a few spots of corrosion/pitting left on each one - I am willing to live with that.

[rrocket]

I was back in Ohio at AP again, this time to swap out the air ride on my LS to traditional shocks. 

How long did that take and how much did it set you back?

A couple hours. Shocks were low mileage used units.


 All in cost was less than $500

[Ex-airbalancer]

I was back in Ohio at AP again, this time to swap out the air ride on my LS to traditional shocks. 

How long did that take and how much did it set you back?

A couple hours. Shocks were low mileage used units.


 All in cost was less than $500

Was there a problem with the air ride ?

[Julie]

It's been a couple of months, but we installed a UNIbrace underbody brace on the GTI.

It is a great, quality product. The GTI wasn't the most comfortable vehicle with (heavy, stock) 18" wheels (I may change those later). And being a hatchback, didn't have the most chassis rigidity.

This thing has definitely tightened and improved the ride comfort. I am very satisfied. Quality product too, and easy-peasy ordering and shipping process from the States.

That's good to hear about the UNIbrace. I've looked into it before, but never pulled the trigger. Can't remember why, exactly. Maybe I was concerned about ground clearance in winter. Doesn't look like it in the picture, but do you find it hangs down much?

I've also read good things about the rear brace (the interior one, behind the rear seats), but I just can't see myself giving up the cargo flexibility.

Ground clearance: I don't think you give up much at all. Our GTI is not lowered, but the brace replaces 2 flimsy OEM ones. So, since the UNIbrace is thicker, you do give up a little more ground clearance but very little. Most of the good reviews I've read about them were by owners with lowered GTI's.

Yeah, I'm not going to install interior one. This has tightened up the chassis nicely. It's enough for me.

It's been a couple of months, but we installed a UNIbrace underbody brace on the GTI.

It is a great, quality product. The GTI wasn't the most comfortable vehicle with (heavy, stock) 18" wheels (I may change those later). And being a hatchback, didn't have the most chassis rigidity.

This thing has definitely tightened and improved the ride comfort. I am very satisfied. Quality product too, and easy-peasy ordering and shipping process from the States.

whoa, i didn't even know the transmission tunnel braces like that existed.

I became a big believer in braces for cars which don't have the most rigidity due to their design.. They've made notable differences on our miata's. There was less of a "need" for it on the GTI, but it was a nice improvement.

[rrocket]

I was back in Ohio at AP again, this time to swap out the air ride on my LS to traditional shocks. 

How long did that take and how much did it set you back?

A couple hours. Shocks were low mileage used units.


 All in cost was less than $500

Was there a problem with the air ride ?

Apart from replacement cost of new air ride components?  Not really.  One shock had a very, very slight leak.

[Triple Bob]

It's been a couple of months, but we installed a UNIbrace underbody brace on the GTI.

It is a great, quality product. The GTI wasn't the most comfortable vehicle with (heavy, stock) 18" wheels (I may change those later). And being a hatchback, didn't have the most chassis rigidity.

This thing has definitely tightened and improved the ride comfort. I am very satisfied. Quality product too, and easy-peasy ordering and shipping process from the States.

That's good to hear about the UNIbrace. I've looked into it before, but never pulled the trigger. Can't remember why, exactly. Maybe I was concerned about ground clearance in winter. Doesn't look like it in the picture, but do you find it hangs down much?

I've also read good things about the rear brace (the interior one, behind the rear seats), but I just can't see myself giving up the cargo flexibility.

Ground clearance: I don't think you give up much at all. Our GTI is not lowered, but the brace replaces 2 flimsy OEM ones. So, since the UNIbrace is thicker, you do give up a little more ground clearance but very little. Most of the good reviews I've read about them were by owners with lowered GTI's.

Yeah, I'm not going to install interior one. This has tightened up the chassis nicely. It's enough for me.

It's been a couple of months, but we installed a UNIbrace underbody brace on the GTI.

It is a great, quality product. The GTI wasn't the most comfortable vehicle with (heavy, stock) 18" wheels (I may change those later). And being a hatchback, didn't have the most chassis rigidity.

This thing has definitely tightened and improved the ride comfort. I am very satisfied. Quality product too, and easy-peasy ordering and shipping process from the States.

whoa, i didn't even know the transmission tunnel braces like that existed.

I became a big believer in braces for cars which don't have the most rigidity due to their design.. They've made notable differences on our miata's. There was less of a "need" for it on the GTI, but it was a nice improvement.

I agree, a strut brace on the GenCoupe made a significant difference, you could feel it straight away.

[redman]

Subaru Legacy remainder of suggested servicing.

"S" service 96K maintenance schedule.
 
CVT fluid, both diffs and power steering fluids. Did it for 1/2 of dealer cost with fully synthetic Amsoil all around.

[mlin32]

So I picked up the 3er from the shop today. They had flushed out the old coolant and replaced the drain plug. Not so bad.

Sticker shock came from them removing all 4 calipers, cleaning the pad contact points, and applying anti-squeal paste. 176 $US + tax for this part alone, 2h of labour.  . Would have done this myself except couldn't get the calipers off- not having a my own space/garage doesn't help here.

So altogether, 342 $US ( 445$) unplanned out of pocket. *sigh* I coulda used that money on other things.......

[Firm]

So I picked up the 3er from the shop today. They had flushed out the old coolant and replaced the drain plug. Not so bad.

Sticker shock came from them removing all 4 calipers, cleaning the pad contact points, and applying anti-squeal paste. 176 $US + tax for this part alone, 2h of labour.  . Would have done this myself except couldn't get the calipers off- not having a my own space/garage doesn't help here.

So altogether, 342 $US ( 445$) unplanned out of pocket. *sigh* I coulda used that money on other things.......

Welcome to the world of driving an older car and not doing your own work. I actually think $450 isn't all that bad.....hourly rate around here is usually $90-120/hr. Course, it probably only took the shop 45 minutes, but "book time" on the job is 2hrs, so that's what you're billed.
One of the many reasons I buy ancient I can fix in my driveway.....

[mlin32]

So I picked up the 3er from the shop today. They had flushed out the old coolant and replaced the drain plug. Not so bad.

Sticker shock came from them removing all 4 calipers, cleaning the pad contact points, and applying anti-squeal paste. 176 $US + tax for this part alone, 2h of labour.  . Would have done this myself except couldn't get the calipers off- not having a my own space/garage doesn't help here.

So altogether, 342 $US ( 445$) unplanned out of pocket. *sigh* I coulda used that money on other things.......

Welcome to the world of driving an older car and not doing your own work. I actually think $450 isn't all that bad.....hourly rate around here is usually $90-120/hr. Course, it probably only took the shop 45 minutes, but "book time" on the job is 2hrs, so that's what you're billed.
One of the many reasons I buy ancient I can fix in my driveway.....

More annoyingly, the squeal is still there....as I found out driving home this evening. Argh, now I have to go back during lunch tomorrow and show them/road test ! 

I think the road salt from the winter made things all crusty there. I had the tools, tried my best to get the two 18mm bolts holding the caliper off (I had the wheel off, but was on my knees the whole time). After 5-10min of literally no budging from the bolt, I called it quits.

I also hate asking my colleagues to give me a ride to/from the shop. Yeah, it's on the way to work and no one really cares, but it feels awkward always asking for favours while everyone else is fine because they have a spouse/girlfriend to help out or a proper garage (one even has his own in-floor lift !!)

[wing]

Hammer is your friend to get the bolts off.   Put a wrench on it and hit the wrench with the hammer to jar it free.   Or use a breaker bar.

Better yet invest in an impact gun,  saves lots of time,  but electric ones are typically too large for that area.