That looks really good. You should make a write up!
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That looks really good. You should make a write up!
I have not posted an update in awhile. I ended up getting the car back from the paint shop back in October 2016.
The reasons for the repaint were for the clear coat failing on the front and rear bumpers, the paint under the clear coat was fading on the fenders, the front doors, the lower rocker panels and to fix the rust issues by the front windshield. The rust snuck up on me as the windshield was replaced many years ago.
Here is one of the areas
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler.../Roof_Rust.jpg
A few months later I corrected all of the defects (swirls, rotary holograms) that the body shop left me.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...s_Daylight.jpg
Some various afters of the paint polished and protected with a ceramic coating. For the full write up one can visit the following link
Review - Sonax CC36 Ceramic Coating
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...472/Front5.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...ront_Angle.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...nt_Angle_3.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...2/Front_21.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...nt_Angle_2.jpg
Only thing left is to install the SD Air Dam back on the car. Sitting polished and ceramic coated as well.
https://www.autogeekonline.net/galle.../IMG_1395a.jpg
I also installed a set of Muth mirrors that I picked up a couple of years ago from another member on this forum.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1y9YprgwFA
Some GP porn right there. Good looking car man.
The car looks fantastic Mike.
That Essence eh?
Amazing how you can spend coin, then they smash it with a rotary.
Did you tell them not to touch it?
Have not done much to the car lately. The modding days have been over for quite some time now. At this point it is maintenance. As of right now I plan to keep it another year and evaluate what I want to do at that point.
It does need a new intermediate steering shaft as the knocking through the floor board is persistent.
The only thing I have done was go back to the stock taillights with diode dynamic XP80 LED's in them. I prefer the look of the stock tails. The LED's went to another local member for a very good deal.
https://i.imgur.com/aGKK2Y2.jpg
I did repolish it a few months ago and it is now wearing a different ceramic coating. It is wearing Cquartz UK 3.0 topped with CarPro Gliss. The repaint is holding up well.
https://i.imgur.com/plqSTt0.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/b0QnbET.jpg
Made a slight change. The trim on the car had seen better days after 19 years of ownership. I came across the chrome trim from an SE at a local salvage yard and swapped it.
It is different and I have not gotten used to it just yet. But it looks better than I thought it would.
https://i.imgur.com/IKWpDr1.jpg
Talking about the bit around the windows? It took me a few to find the difference from Oct. I can dig it it's a pretty darn subtle change to me.
Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk
Thanks. It is not everyone's cup of tea so to speak. It does look better than the 19 year old trim that was starting to come apart in some areas. I am going to leave it for now unless I find a set of trim that is in almost new condition.
Yeah it is the chrome trim that has been the recent change.
Replaced some worn out items.
New front and rear strut mounts
New fuel filter
New PCV valve
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...efba2396bb.jpg
New steering shaft. Getting the old one out was a pain. The new went on so easy. New one on the right.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...b9197acf25.jpg
What all did you end up having to remove to swap the steering shaft? They still available from GM or did you go aftermarket? That car is clean btw!
I did a trans pan drop with a new trans filter, new magnets and new fluid yesterday.
Old magnet
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...853bdb00f1.jpg
New magnet
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...78f4d6558b.jpg
Magnet on the new filter
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...a1b1027efc.jpg
New fluid
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...2cb549e432.jpg
I found this thread which was helpful. The hardest part was the old one had that round interface at the steering column which was hard to pop out of the boot.
I popped off the old steering shaft with a tie rod/ball joint separator.
The new steering shaft went on easy and popped right in.
There are two 11mm bolts on each end. The boot on the inside cabin is not very flexible.
I ordered one from gmparts direct. Wanted OEM. The old one lasted 20 years so I should be good to go now.
http://www.grandprixforums.com/gener...ing-shaft.html
Was it just clunking? I've never replaced one before, but I've pulled a couple off and repacked them with grease. Works pretty well. Nice car btw.
Thanks. It was clunking especially at low speeds on an uneven surface. It could be heard as a metal to metal contact. Also when I would get into the driveway it would make a creaking noise.
Once I pulled the old one I could see a difference in the amount of play in the old joints. The new one is stiffer with no play.
I took it out for a drive today and the difference is noticeable and no more noise. I chased this thinking it was the cradle bushing but replacing those did nothing.
I talked my retrofit projectors from black bird lighting solutions.
Waiting on the switchback leds to show up. Just need to be aligned a bit.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...257f087662.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...42418ff2ca.jpg
I ended up swapping out the yellow diode dynamic LEDs with the diode dynamic switchbacks.
Pretty close match to the projectors.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...f295c818e4.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...314c26648b.jpg