Add to that I have bad knees (one replaced) and I'm not supposed to kneel or squat anymore only compounds what I can do any more.
I drove to a neighboring town last night to check on damage to a family headstone and took the route where I could run it at 75 mph (which usually causes the oil burn smell) and so far so good. No oil leaking everything is still clean and dry.
As of today, "Franklin" is inspected and fully legal to drive in PA now. I found this car to be a pleasure to work on. Looking forward to continued maintenance tasks for years to come.
I replaced the front sway links today. It wasn't a difficult job. The fact that I didn't own an 18mm box wrench made it more difficult. Quick run to the hardware store with a valid excuse to purchase more tools is ok with me, though.
I used the Moog replacement. Thanks @RockAuto for the discount code.
OEM next to the Moog bar - the Moog is much thicker.
And the Moog part number
I liked that the replacement had zerk fittings so I could lube them up, but I wouldn't make that my "buy or not" decision.
My "butt dyno" says that it corners better now. No matter what, it doesn't rattle like an skeleton with the chills when I go down these fine Pennsylvania roads.
2003 Malibu LS - I just brought this car home (for my son to drive, he doesn't know I bought it yet) on Saturday so yesterday was the first day I could do anything. I re-attached the gas cap to the door, cleaned the front carpets, adjusted a couple of things, and cleaned up the headlights.
I did not. I've heard of people doing that with rattle cans but I didn't have any and wasn't sure I wanted to do it that way - I don't have a compressor or gun. I just put some "Nu Finish" on them.
On the headlights, I just used Nu-Finish at the end as a final protectant. I cleaned them with a Turtle Wax headlight restoration kit that I had already used on another car - you basically wet sand them with the two little pads that come in the kit (four increasingly fine sandpapers) then I used some polishing compound and chrome cleaner with an electric buffer to polish them out. I'm satisfied with the result. My impression is that clear-coating them is supposed to keep them from oxidizing again, but maybe regularly waxing them will do the same thing.
Today, I said "goodbye" to Maxxine ... a 2006 Malibu Maxx LT. After 10 years and 225000 km of loyal service in a hostile environment (Toronto driving), she was retired. Repairs over the years: (outside of standard oil change/tires etc):
Front suspension struts replaced once
Plugs replaced once
steering bearing (a number of times under recall)
brakes (many times)
rotors - 1 set all around
1 rear caliper,
Gas tank air recycling valve (?) - once
Tie rod end (once, on driver side)
Alas, she didn't have a deflector shield, which would have been useful for the 1 time rear ended, 3 times side swiped and one front end (my bad: black ice).
The new car ... a 2016 Malibu LT1 with the Driver Confidence package. I hope that the new one will work out as well as the old one (and perhaps have the "deflector shield option")
Cars have changed in 10 years, and have come a Loooooonnnnggggg way from my first car, a '68 Ford Falcon....
I followed these two videos and repaired the common problem with the A/C & recirc switching on and off. Super easy. I knew the compressor switching on/off constantly wasn't good for it.
Back in the days when I was a service tech (back in the day = the time when you could repair electronic systems at the component level), this problem would happen with switches and sliders. I used an ink eraser to clean the track and contacts. That little maneuver worked just fine..
I washed and vacuumed the car over the weekend. I had to clean up a small sawdust mess in the garage and just continued on to the car. The truck wasn't as lucky...:-(
I got my water pump, thermostat, and thermostat replaced the other day and gave her a bath. Next step is to replace the schrader valve. My A/C was working until months ago, I tried filling more freon with the manifold gauge set and when it wouldn't accept more freon, I unplugged the low side and then after I unplugged from the high side, it started spraying everywhere like a geyser. I'm wondering if I replace the schrader valve, I can fill up the freon and it would be fine. It will not turn on and I would imagine the reason is because it's empty.
Just got my T10 Red LEDs put into my instrument cluster. I did my shifter as well (It does not show well in the pic, but it is lit) and replaced my dimmer switch because my fog lights would not turn on.
I wanna do red in my gauges as well, but the Gen7 uses SMD or SMT (surface-mount) LEDs. I'll have to do some experimentin' first before I tear into it and try to change it.
Cleaned the interior and applied a restoration product to the headlight covers. I put decent miles on my '15 so they both need attention more often than not..
Been driving the crap outta my car... No problems other than having to add fuel every couple days... I kinda wish it were easier on fuel but I know that if I slowed down, it would be...
Replaced the schrader valve on the high side of the A/C line, put negative pressure in the line and I actually have A/C now (Thank goodness because I live in Arizona). New problem with it is it doesn't blow hard as it used to, so I'm gonna have to replace the blower motor. With the A/C running, both radiator fans turn on so thank goodness the overheating is not happening anymore.
Last night I installed a new tune in my '11 V6 using HP Tuners and a tune from cp-the-nerd, since he is the one that developed the first non-stock tune that I used. Eventually I may start to understand things well enough to make small adjustments here and there. Today will be the first time driving it with the new tune. I don't expect anything Earth-shattering, but I do expect improved shifting response.
Update: Torque Management was reduced. Even on part-throttle shifts I could just barely sense that it was a little quicker, but after work I gave it a bit more throttle but had to let off before I caught up to traffic. It was just about done shifting and felt like it was quicker. Good stuff!
That sounds great! I would love to get my car tuned, but I don't have HPT yet... I do plan on getting it for the purpose of tuning my redline, and also going to play with tuning my Malibu, but I'm far from there...
I also cleaned the car for the first time in at least six months... I can see all the floorboards and seats, which reminds me I need to try and pull the stains out, they are nearly black...