Topic: What did you do to your car today?

[BWII]

Washed and clayed and (power) polished and waxed my sons car on the weekend...something like 2" of rain since Monday...basement's got water in it - not bad but some...not washing his car again 'til August!!  Guess my 6+ hr rain dance was just too much and the skies released themselves upon the province.  I accept full responsibility.

[Firm]

Pulled my old Camaro out from the back garage at my grandmother's place and brought it home for a few weeks...Doesn't really need anything other than some miles put on it, so I'll use it as my driver / errand car for the next month or so.

[Bubba]

Pulled my old Camaro out from the back garage at my grandmother's place and brought it home for a few weeks...Doesn't really need anything other than some miles put on it, so I'll use it as my driver / errand car for the next month or so.

Sweet daily driver.

I saw this and thought of you: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2003-cadillac-escalade-2/

[Firm]

Pulled my old Camaro out from the back garage at my grandmother's place and brought it home for a few weeks...Doesn't really need anything other than some miles put on it, so I'll use it as my driver / errand car for the next month or so.

Sweet daily driver.

I saw this and thought of you: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2003-cadillac-escalade-2/

woo, I'll be watching that one. Minty example (except for that hideous rub strip someone added), but odd that it's a very base truck (for an Escalade)....2WD, 5.3L (in Canada all of ours were AWD 6.0L), no sunroof, no chrome rims, no rear DVD.

[Dante]

New power steering pump and steering hoses are in the BMW. Whining noise is gone and the car finally sounds good to my ears.
The baseline is now established and planned mechanical work on the car is done. From now on break-fix and maintenance only.

Cosmetic work continues though....

Great service experience at TheHire's shop today!

[tortoise]

I finally had the lower control arms replaced in the Highlander.  The previous ones were only 4 years old, but the bushings were already toast. PSA, don't buy AC Delco control arms from Rock Auto.  I went with OEM Toyota control arms from EBay, saving about $300 from Toyota.  It drives a lot better, which is nice since we're often towing a boat with family and gear.

And, I received confirmation from VW that the Golf is finally paid for (0% for 5 years).  It has ~105k km now so I'm hoping for a few years with no car payments.

[Firm]

Wow, those bushings are fooked. I've got 35 year old bushing that look fine, definitely a quality issue there.

Congrats on the no-payment life, it's the way to go, 105K, that VW has plenty of life left in it.

[tortoise]

It's either a quality issue, or Quebec roads. Possibly both.

My mechanic said that OEM is the best way to go for these.

[Dante]

With my limited experience in parts, I would only buy OE equivalent  or genuine OEM parts.
In few cases I used aftermarket parts and had quality issues every time. No more for me.

[tortoise]

I think it's pretty hit or miss.

I put in AC Delco ball joints and they looked good, and were made in Japan. Haven't had any issues with them.

The LCAs were made in China (should have been a red flag).

I get what you're saying though.

[Dante]

Yeah. I try to avoid made in China parts even from major brands.
Last year I bought cheap Bosch QuierCast rotors made in China. They looked ok at first (nicely machined, perfect fit, coated) but after one year I'm not sure they will look half decent 2 years from now.

By comparison, I have 3 years old Zimmerman (made in Germany) rotors on the GTI and they look like they will still be rust free in 3 years from now.

[rrocket]

Yeah. I try to avoid made in China parts even from major brands.
Last year I bought cheap Bosch QuierCast rotors made in China. They looked ok at first (nicely machined, perfect fit, coated) but after one year I'm not sure they will look half decent 2 years from now.

By comparison, I have 3 years old Zimmerman (made in Germany) rotors on the GTI and they look like they will still be rust free in 3 years from now.

They're brakes...who gives a fack what they look like.

[Bubba]

Yeah. I try to avoid made in China parts even from major brands.
Last year I bought cheap Bosch QuierCast rotors made in China. They looked ok at first (nicely machined, perfect fit, coated) but after one year I'm not sure they will look half decent 2 years from now.

By comparison, I have 3 years old Zimmerman (made in Germany) rotors on the GTI and they look like they will still be rust free in 3 years from now.

They're brakes...who gives a fack what they look like.

I was about to ask for recommendations on brake drum paint.    

[rrocket]

Yeah. I try to avoid made in China parts even from major brands.
Last year I bought cheap Bosch QuierCast rotors made in China. They looked ok at first (nicely machined, perfect fit, coated) but after one year I'm not sure they will look half decent 2 years from now.

By comparison, I have 3 years old Zimmerman (made in Germany) rotors on the GTI and they look like they will still be rust free in 3 years from now.

They're brakes...who gives a fack what they look like.

I was about to ask for recommendations on brake drum paint.    

VHT paint.

[Firm]

Yeah. I try to avoid made in China parts even from major brands.
Last year I bought cheap Bosch QuierCast rotors made in China. They looked ok at first (nicely machined, perfect fit, coated) but after one year I'm not sure they will look half decent 2 years from now.

By comparison, I have 3 years old Zimmerman (made in Germany) rotors on the GTI and they look like they will still be rust free in 3 years from now.

They're brakes...who gives a fack what they look like.

Plenty of people do, myself included, I don't wanna see a rusty rotor hat behind a nicely detailed rim.

It'll feel too much like my real job if I go down this rabbit hole, but there are a lot of different coatings/paints out there on rotors, each have their own pros/cons. If you've found something you like, at a price you can live with, stick with it.

[Firm]

Yeah. I try to avoid made in China parts even from major brands.
Last year I bought cheap Bosch QuierCast rotors made in China. They looked ok at first (nicely machined, perfect fit, coated) but after one year I'm not sure they will look half decent 2 years from now.

By comparison, I have 3 years old Zimmerman (made in Germany) rotors on the GTI and they look like they will still be rust free in 3 years from now.

They're brakes...who gives a fack what they look like.

I was about to ask for recommendations on brake drum paint.    

Tremclad, the drums on your Corolla (or any passenger car for that matter) are not getting hot enough to need a proper high-temp paint. I've been running Tremclad black on my drums (Sonoma, Firebird, Camaro) for 15+ years, it still looks great. Just make sure you prep the drums well...Hit it with the old wire wheel on a drill, wipe it with some lacquer thinner, and then Tremclad.

[blur911]

Changed belts on the Miata, the alternator belt was really bad, it's behind the power-steering/water pump belt, so changed them both.  They're 4-ribbed flat belts, like two tiny serpentine belts.

Bought Continental belts at Quinte Truck and Trailer, significantly cheaper than the NAPA stuff around the corner, both businesses are owned by the same company.

BTW, Continental owns the Goodyears Gatorback name and has phased it out, the same belts are now Continental branded.

[tortoise]

I finally had the lower control arms replaced in the Highlander.

Man, I really like my shop. 

The finished the job late on Friday.  Said they would lock it and I can grab it with the second set of keys then come in whenever to pay for it.

I went in today, they charged me 4 hours plus an alignment.  Said if I wanted to do cash it would be $550.

[Gurgie]

I finally had the lower control arms replaced in the Highlander.

Man, I really like my shop. 

The finished the job late on Friday.  Said they would lock it and I can grab it with the second set of keys then come in whenever to pay for it.

I went in today, they charged me 4 hours plus an alignment.  Said if I wanted to do cash it would be $550.

Awesome! Does he work on FGC's? Bella's 323i is acting up. I think 1 of the rear wheel speed sensors has gone bad, or is going bad.


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[tortoise]

I'm sure they do but they are by no means a German specialist.