PontiacBonnevilleClub.com

That would make more sense, I was thinking it was that bracket thing that’s on the trans. But that doesn’t touch the body.

I think I tried to take a pic once, even with my bigger driveshaft, where I dropped my exhaust down a half inch or so, there still wasn't much room between the mufflers and the heat shield. I seem to recall removing the heat shields alltogether

Changed spark plugs out for one heat range colder. Car seems to be happy about it.
Replaced rear brake pads and rotors.
Replaced downstream O2 sensor. (still need to put heat shield back on, but aside from that a success.)

Namrepus28 wrote:Changed spark plugs out for one heat range colder. Car seems to be happy about it.
Replaced rear brake pads and rotors.
Replaced downstream O2 sensor. (still need to put heat shield back on, but aside from that a success.)

Heat shield is back on covering the O2 sensor, just needed to go find larger machine screws.

Now my back brakes are making moaning noises (sounds more like a trombone really) and a high pitched squeak on occasion. The one caliper has torn dust boot, but I think the main cause of the sound is everything probably isn't greased enough. I'll try pulling them apart again as soon as I can and grease the slides and pins and every relevant surface more thoroughly.

Not really sure what the squeak would be. Bought premium pads and rotors.

Had to boost my battery. Looks like sitting in the car listening to the radio is too much for it now, even for a half hour.

Seems to be fine today, so the battery is probably just old and weak. I'll need to figure out a replacement soon.

Guess I'm doing a lot lately.

Found bigger screws to hold the heat shield in place, so the O2 sensor is now protected again.

Changed the Oil and Filter as well as the Oil Pressure Sensor as I try to track down a weird issue I'm having while stopped in Drive. It didn't fix the issue, but at least I crossed a possibility off the list.

Also, got a new battery (the right size and amperage this time, apparently the one in there was for the non-SSEi Bonnevilles)

Replaced the fuel filter on the Bonneville. The gasoline smell on my hands today is just a bonus.
Also cleaned the front brakes with brake cleaner.

Disconnected the fuel lines on the Camaro after buying the tool. One step closer to getting the upper intake manifold off. Next step: fuel rail

Last week put on rear brakes and rotors on the white 2005SLE.
Also had new front struts and strut mounts installed.(big difference)
Also had a full coolant flush to get rid of the Dex-Cool garbage.
Today I clay barred the car with the Mothers 2.0 Speed Clay.
I then waxed it with Meguiars 2.0 Tech Wax.
Took about 6 hours but it turned out great.
Not the best day to do it as the temperature is 90 and the dew point is 72.
Time to hit the shower.

Put a battery in the Passat.

Changed the passenger side axle as the boot was exploded and there was a weird noise.

Still have the weird noise though. :( Sounds like a wheel bearing, but there is no play. Car pulls left under acceleration as well.

Got the car back from the shop. Replaced the front left strut (and that broken spring), got an alignment, and checked the refrigerant. Found me to be 1.40 pounds under. Glad to have the car back in running order.

Dropped the Bonneville off at the shop for the work I can't do myself. Tie rods (inner and outer) and alignment. Also having them change the oil pan gasket and rear trans/motor mount while they're in there.

Let's see what else they find!

...I suppose if I REALLY didn't want to have to deal with repairs constantly I wouldn't DD a 16 year old car...

Both front wheel bearings replaced yesterday, and performed an oil change!

Going on another long camping trip this weekend, excited!

Replaced the TPS sensor on the Bonneville to eliminate some problematic hesitations when accelerating. I finally had an epiphany when troubleshooting and this seems to have fixed the issue. Finally.

Also the shop install of the rear trans/motor mount solved my weight shifting problem when coming to a stop. Which is great because I was really just eliminating a possibility. And I got the part on clearance.

I decided to rotate the tires as well to see if I could narrow down where the remaining vibration is coming from (having the shop replace the tie rods did make it much better, but there was still a pronounced vibration). While I was at it I decided to replace the front sway bar end links as the bushings on one of them were literally falling apart and the other side wasn't far behind. Of course, the sleeve was seized on the bolt like it always was and out came the hacksaw.

It took a while, but job done. Also, the cause of the vibration is definitely wheel/tire related. Probably very unbalanced, but it could just be time for a full new set as the old ones are just about done.

I dare say I'm only a few projects away from this car being buttoned up and perfectly drive-able.

Don't be so sure it is your tires and wheels.

I've had vibrations appear from a bad CV axle, as well as worn front subframe bushings. These cars are extremely sensitive to any sort of looseness or play in any front suspension component.

Yesterday and the day before I fought with a broken pinch bolt on the Volkswagen for the upper control arms. I finally got it out so now I can finish replacing the multi link suspension. And then I get to chase an oil leak. This thing is gonna be in really good shape when I go to sell it if things keep breaking.

nos4blood70 wrote:Don't be so sure it is your tires and wheels.

I've had vibrations appear from a bad CV axle, as well as worn front subframe bushings. These cars are extremely sensitive to any sort of looseness or play in any front suspension component.

Fair enough, but the main source of the vibration moved from the front to rear when I rotated the tires. Only at highway speeds now, which is a little better than all of the time, but still pretty brutal to live with on a daily basis with my commute.

So the tires will be the next step, and then if any vibrations persist, I'll move onto the next likely causes on the list.

I wonder how much a shop would charge to replace the subframe bushings...

This weekend the Caddy went under the knife.

New shocks/struts finally going on, new wheel bearing, new brakes, and powdercoating the calipers.





Both rear brakes were completly siezed. Whomever took things apart to paint them red was an idiot and crammed the rusty hardware surfaces with paint and jammed everything back together. Fronts were partially siezed and one of the caliper pins stuck in the bracket.

I pulled the steering wheel on the GTO and painted the spokes to match the wheels. I scratched one of the spokes putting the airbag back on so now I get to do it again.

Today I replaced the jacking instructions decal on the spare tire cover. It was a little wrinkled and slightly faded over time. Now there is a crisp, shiny new one in its place