Spring Tune Ups! What do you have planned?

[JimW]

Well, its nearing the 2nd week of March, and hopefully the weather will soon be improving.

I have a few items on my "Aurora to-do" list.

1. Plugs/wires: I just purchased 8 NGK Iridium plugs and a set of Niehoff wires.

2. Transmission servicing
3. Oil Change
4. Steering lubrication
5. Coolant system check/Fuel line conditioning/TB cleaner
6. Rims/tires installation
7. Full interior detailing and bustin out my new tan mats

[Aurora40]

I will be draining/refilling the coolant, and possibly the tranny. That's about it.

Oh, I need to take the car in for the ISS issue...

[erw38]

Finish cleaning my seats! I would like to wetsand, but am afraid that I will fubar something up. With my luck I will. Gonna check my brakes too

[Marc]

Only an oil change (I do that every 3 months) & a washing.


____________________

GM!!! BRING BACK OLDS!!!

[Aurora40]

erw38 said:

I would like to wetsand, but am afraid that I will fubar something up.

What is it you want to accomplish with wetsanding the car?

[stevensolds]

1. tranny serviced (pan drop)
2. complete 1st Auto-RX phase (almost 1000 miles into)
3. install new BFGoodrich T/A ZR tires
4. replace warped rear rotor
5. stainless y-pipe

dunno i think thats it

[erw38]

Aurora40 said:

What is it you want to accomplish with wetsanding the car?

I would think that if I wetsanded my car that it would the paint would look a lot deeper. Is that not true? Would a good wax and detail accomplish the same thing? I also want a lot more shine to the car. Make it into a mirror on wheels

[Aurora40]

erw38 said:

I would think that if I wetsanded my car that it would the paint would look a lot deeper. Is that not true? Would a good wax and detail accomplish the same thing? I also want a lot more shine to the car. Make it into a mirror on wheels

Wetsanding can help with deep scracthes and swirls. And it can help to remove orange peel. Of course it also removes clearcoat and the protection afforded by it. The more you sand away, the less protection the color coat has and the more likely the clear will fail down the road.

If all you want to accomplish is to brighten the paint, you can most likely do this with a good chemical cleaner and your two hands.

Much of a paints depth comes from the color and the paint itself. Certainly a dirty or oxidized layer on the clear will reduce this. To get maximum depth on clean paint, you mainly need glazes and waxes that help to emphasis depth. There is some tradeoff in depth vs reflection. If you put a very shiny protectant on, then the reflection is at the surface and there is little depth.

Anyway, I would suggest a good claying and a good chemical cleaner as your first start. Then you can go from there to see what more you want out of the finish and if it is achievable. I definitely wouldn't risk wetsanding just for that. Especially on a car with older paint and questionable history (I assume you didn't own it new, thus who knows if it's been wetsanded or heavily polished in the past? Who knows how much of the clear is left?)

Feel free to start a new thread in "Exterior" or to PM me if you want, or to just ignore me.

[Custom88]

my plans for the spring:

1. Get windows tinted
2. Get Rims installed
3. Get spoiler painted and installed
4. Condition leather seats
5. clean & condition entire interior. (carpet and leather surfaces.)
6. clay bar the car
7. Polish
8. Wax
9. Transmission pan drop & filter change.
10. Audio upgrade. ( new front components and 6x9's.)
11. engine detail

[Letitroll98]

Wow, I wish you guys would just stop. Every time you list something I add one more to my list. I use MyGMlink.com to keep track of my service record and what scheduled maintainence is due, so must do's are already set up. BTW I can't recommend that site more highly. A complete service history and service schedule on one page for free.

List of must do's in order of importance:
1) New brakes. EBC Red Stuff Ceramic pads, possibly ProAct Ceramics. Maybe Slotline or EBC slotted rotors on the front if I need to replace, otherwise just turn the OEMs on there now.
2) Coolant flush and fill with Dexcool, and oil change.
3) Check torque on throttle body bolts.
4) Of course rewax. I'll try one of Aurora40's recommended Carnubas.
5) Spring clean the interior. Lite shampoo of rugs, lite cleaning of seats with Lexol, condition with same.

Want to do's:
1) Tires. Yokahama Avid 4VS as soon as the crappy Goodyears wear down enough to justify the purchase.
2) Exhaust. Would love to replace stock with an aftermarket that is quiet on idle and cruise, but roars at higher RPMs. Any suggestions?
3) Touch up paint chipped on front bumper. I think this was done cheaply b4 as it's getting worse way too fast for normal wear.
4) Enlarged throttle body assembly to go with the exhaust mod.
5) Spoiler, the one that matches the Intrigue style.
6) Win Powerball contest and retire to Belize.

[Aurora40]

Hmm, you guys are mentioning stuff like "clay" or "wax" or "clean interior"... You can just imply that in my response then, as I do that all year long, not just in the spring... ;D

[scottydl]

1. Front brakes
2. Complete Auto-Rx cycle with oil changes
3. Polish that baby up (paint and chrome wheels alike )
4. Maybe tint rear windows
5. Maybe some exhaust upgrades
6. Maybe some audio upgrades
7. Maybe a K&N filter

Of course 4-7 I'd love to do, but they depend on money and priorities.

[JimW]

Aurora40 said:

Hmm, you guys are mentioning stuff like "clay" or "wax" or "clean interior"... You can just imply that in my response then, as I do that all year long, not just in the spring... ;D

Some of us are also stuck with our Auroras as winter beaters...

I'd love to keep it waxed and detailed all winter, but it just doesnt happen

Mechanical things are the priority right now

[skeecat]

I'm coming up on 100K so the coolant and transmission are on the agenda. I also ordered an intermediate steering shaft. I just put in new NGK plugs and replaced the rotors and pads with run-of-the-mill ceramics from the local auto parts store. I will be tackling the dashboard to replace burned-out bulbs if it ever warms up here in Michigan. I can't wait to do a thorough inside and outside cleaning to get rid of the winter grime. Also, another set of tires. Last set were Bridgestone Turanzas. I live close to the Tire Rack in South Bend so I'll be looking there for something new--maybe the Yokahama Avids.

[BNICOV]

Regarding the swirls etc.. in the paint. GM has a swirl remover wax that works really well ( I can't remember the name of it, it's in my garage at home). Go over the car with that to clean up the paint and then give it a good polishing with some good quality carnuba wax with lots of elbow grease.

All I plan on doing is changing the oil and tranny fluid when I hit 50 000 kms as well as installing my Infinity 6x9's in the back and my Blaupunkt 6.5's in the front. Maybe I'll change the 4's in the back doors if I find a good deal on a decent pair. Other than that, I'll just keep enjoying the drive.

[JimW]

Can you post the name of the swirl remover? I would like to get some from The General. ;D

[Aurora40]

JimW said:

Can you post the name of the swirl remover? I would like to get some from The General. ;D

From the 2002 Aurora owner's manual.

Just FYI, but a cleaner/wax will not do very much for swirls unless they are very mild.

Meguiar's makes many of the car-care products sold under the GM label, I believe they make the cleaner/wax as well (saw it on the shelf at Meg's headquarters).

[eurora]

Well, my plans are/were…

1.New paint - done, got her back a week ago
2.Rear brake pads - done today
3.New fuel filter - done today
4.Installing an alarm+ remote starter - hopefully will be done on Thursday
5.Refill AC
6.Interior detailing- it’s cleaned up already, but I think that leather could be a much softer, so I should do dontyetknowwhat
7.Maybe upgrading rear speakers – not sure yet, I am driving alone too rarely
8.New power steering pump - should arrive next week
9.Carpets - currently have tiny ones with pentagon sign underneath. I have carpet factory near, think I will ask them, and maybe they can do couple even with logos or signs.
10.Willing to apply some protectant underneath the body – not really a springtime issue, more like a salty winter road issue

Hope that’s all…
... huh, need summer tires also … where’s the end of this list?

[SupaStealth]

hmm, yeah, just the basics for me, although i'm planning on puting on some new fuel injectors in a month or so, that and new floormats from the dealer, ooh, and maybe a k&n cone filter to replace the crappy generic cone air filter i'm using now

[BNICOV]

That's it!! It is called Swirl Remover Polish from the General. You can pick it up from your local GM stealership. It works very well and will pick up the colour and paint but remember, it is no miracle product.

[Mr. Javi]

I will be

1. Cleaning the chrome wheels
2. Installing the wheels
3. Installing New /////Alpine head unit
4. Deep cleaning the leather interior
5. Deep cleaning the carpet interior
6. what ever comes up next
7. Enjoy the ride of the Classic

[SupaStealth]

man, those wheels look gorgeous on your car

[kobalt]

Here is what big-daddy north* needs in order of importance:

1. driver's side front wheel bearing hub
2. front engine mount
3. rear brake pads
4. air/cabin/fuel filter
5. oil change
6. warped dash fix/replace
5. leather conditioning
7. detailing

I'll do tutorials for all. I might do the hub tomorrow - Jim any pointers before I tackle the job?

[JimW]

There is a pretty comprehensive tool list for a worst case scenario on the wheel hub job in my thread. If you have those tool or access to those tools, I don't think you will have any problems at all.

Is the warped dash a common SLS/STS issue?

You'll probably need that rear brake caliper reset tool as well for the rear brakes, don't use at C clamp on the back, you'll break the piston.

I hope your work ends up being easier then mine was

[kobalt]

JimW said:

There is a pretty comprehensive tool list for a worst case scenario on the wheel hub job in my thread. If you have those tool or access to those tools, I don't think you will have any problems at all.

I should be ok. Just wish me good luck.

Is the warped dash a common SLS/STS issue?

It is quite common for the Seville dash to start warping at the point where it meets the windshield trim piece. The dash is not supported at the end and the plastic simply warps - a bad design.

You'll probably need that rear brake caliper reset tool as well for the rear brakes, don't use at C clamp on the back, you'll break the piston.

You got it

EDIT

Sorry folks, I did not mean to hijack the thread...

[Mr. Javi]

SupaStealth said:

man, those wheels look gorgeous on your car

Thanks man, I tell you I'm ready for this summer, wheels, Alpine, HID kit.

I should be looking at a RAZZI.

[stevensolds]

Razzi would look great on black ESPECIALLY with those wheels man. I plan to get some deep dish 17 or 18" and some 255s pretty soon. Well, not that soon. Maybe after i pay the next insurance interval, which should be around July i think. I definitely wont be getting wheels before Carlsisle. I gotta save some money incase something electrical or mechanical takes a dump again.

[JimW]

Update on my spring tune ups

The rims are now mounted in the new 255's and get installed on Monday, as well as my NGK Iridium plugs and Niehoff wire set. I'm also ditching the shocks on the back on going with the gas powered replacements.

Anyone remember what the Monroe part number is for the gas powered Aurora rear shock replacement is?

[stevensolds]

I thought the northstar was picky on plugs Jim? is your ELC dead? i thought mine was, but it came on the other day

[JimW]

NGK is made by AC Delco, so I am not to worried about that. And Iridium is a step up from Plats.

I'll see how it goes

And my ELC has been dead forever. I've spent to much on ELC sensors and air bag shocks to care anymore So its time for regular gas powered shocks.

I'm just tired of butt sag on the rear end when I give'er