yeah... my wife makes me take a shower after driving my rx7 lol.... I'll probably be installing a cat pretty soon haha

 

i just turned 38, and i've been there too!

 

Oh you kids.

 

So last night I started working on the brakes. The wheels are off to be powdercoated a stock-ish silver color and new tires are on order. But the brakes needed attention. I replaced the master cylinder so I did a simple power bleed on everything, but I noticed the front calipers were sticking. Crap. I was surprised because the brake fluid was actually in pretty good shape.

As it turns out, the pistons weren't seized - the front pads were stuck on the metal shims at the top and bottom of the caliper. Turns out underneath them some road grime and aluminum oxide had conspired to pinch the pads so they couldn't slide. I removed the pads, cleaned up the calipers with a wire wheel, used emery cloth on the slider pins and the shims, cleaned up under the shims themselves and reinstalled everything. Looks great. Car had pads and rotors done a few years ago so it's good to go.

 

That's pretty common and often overlooked, so good on you.
I usually run a file down the outside edges of the pads backing plate and sometimes even in the holes for the pins...if the paint was poorly applied, it can make the pad "sticky" and I want them rattling around.

 

hmm i wonder if that's why the FC's always sometimes have spongy brakes? easy enough to look at i guess

 

If everything else is right with the brake system, I know that a master cylinder brace really firms up the pedal feel in the FC.

 

Thanks to DeaconBlue, my car now has a front suspension. Reasonably new Eibach springs and AGX shocks. The stock shocks were all leaking pretty badly and the stock top hats were seized up. Wasn't worth trying to muck with it. Looking forward to getting the rears on there.

Wheels are at the powdercoaters - can't wait to see what they look like when they come back.

I did discover a problem today - the driver's side taillight wiring harness pigtail is toast. There was a leak into that taillight and each of the bulb sockets are badly rusted. The left turn signal doesn't work and one of the brake lights doesn't either. It's not worth trying to fix it. A new harness is $35, so I may go that route. But does anyone have one left over from a parted car they'd be willing to sell me for a nice crisp $10?

JV

 

Well, lots of progress made and then again... no progress made.

Seats are all cleaned up, carpets are all cleaned up and interior is 90% back together. Just have to mount the aftermarket speakers and I'm done.

I put new Turbo II badges on, and realized again how nice the paint is on this car (attached).

Took a step backwards when I discovered that the original reverse switch is toast . Anyone got a working one for sale that won't cost me a mint?

 

My car has never had a working reverse switch... I've heard their decently hard to find.

 

weird, they are actually the same S4 and S5... actually i think i just ran across one, if yes i'll shoot you a PM

 

Well, I was hoping to get this car to the point it'd pass a maryland safety inspection so the buyer doesn't have to use the "please pull me over" plates (Historic).

 

I'm pretty sure I hav a taillight harness, you can have it for free if you want to make the drive down. You could also pick up a new reverse switch from Ray Crowe while you're down here.

 

the S4 Turbo switch is NLA, 1281-17-640A, the S5 switch is available, but $$!

the S5 swtich is R505-17-640

the JDM S4 turbo switch is cheap (it must fit something else), 0821-17-505C, but 6-8 weeks away...

 

Yeah, my friend tried to order a switch for his S4 turbo through rock auto or something and kept getting the wrong part...

Also John, I've never had any issues with my historic plates. Even when I have gotten pulled over, the cops don't even mention them. I have them on my rx7, corolla, and my bmw motorcycle..

 

So if you read the rules for the historic plates, cars using them are limited to transportation to and from "events" or some similar wording. When I've talked to cops about them (my STS RX-7 had them), they are essentially a license for cops to pull you over and ask you where you're going. If you're going to and from work in a vehicle with them, that's a ticket.

 

Historic tags in CO have no such restrictions.

 

"It can only be used in exhibitions, club activities, parades, tours, occasional transportation and similar uses."

occasional transportation means you can drive it whenever you want wherever you want... if you encounter a cop enough for them to call that into question you have bigger issues...

 

define event! starbucks is making coffee!111

i'm under the impression that the US reverse switch also has a 5th gear switch in it, for the EGR/split air nonsense, the JDM (its available in the US so it had to come on something else), is only for the backup lights.

 

No, occasional transportation doesn't mean you can drive it whenever you want wherever you want. If they catch you regularly driving it (i.e. as your primary vehicle) you will be ticketed.

Unfortunately I essentially to BWI airport every day and I pass the same cops just about every day.

I only got pulled over once when I had the STS car (for having an "obstructed windshield" due to the Tire Rack banner) and the cop and I had a fairly lengthy conversation about this subject, lol.

 

So any updates John?

 

Yeah, it's almost done.

Wheels come back from the powdercoater tonight. Tires (205/55/16 Kumho Ecsta LE) go on as soon as I can get to my buddy's house and dig out his tire machine from the mound of clutter that is burying it.

I finished cleaning up the paint. It was way more work than I expected. One round of clay, followed by three rounds of progressively fine compound / polish, followed by a coat of Klasse sealer. It looks really amazing. Restored the plastic side trim as well. Got a new taillight harness. I stripped and am re-painting the front windshield side trims. New window mouldings are in. Carpets are cleaned, seats are back in. Stereo speakers are mounted solidly to the door metal and stereo is working.

Suspension is in. New-ish KYB AGXs with Eibachs (Thanks John!). S5 rear sway bar endlinks. Front endlinks are stock with energy suspension bushings pressed in.

I re-wired the starter solenoid wire to be switched directly from the battery so it cranks over every time. I removed the ancient '80's alarm that was in the car. I cleaned up and lubed the door handles so they work great. I re-installed the factory storage bins rather than keep the aftermarket (and kinda ugly IMO) rear seats which are totally useless anyway.

Polished the turn signal and FTP lenses, so they look brand new.

I hope to get some pictures this weekend...stay tuned.

JV

 

Nice. I wish I had your knowledge in paint restoration, I tried spray painting my hood and some other stuff and didn't do a very good job.

I should have mine done soon but I still need quite a few things.

 

You can't rattle-can a big flat surface and expect it to look good. The spray pattern is too small and the droplet size too big coming out of a can. Small trim pieces, brackets, etc are perfect rattle-can fodder and they don't take too much prep if you use the right primers.

 

Aka self etching primer. I use that on every small part I paint and the finished product always comes out looking rather exceptional for what it is.