Going to start this thread for members to post up what they did each day to there zed. I will start with getting my MOT this morning. So what did you do today on your 300?:cool3:

Began swapping the steering wheel. Couldn't find a torx security bit larger than 45. Shops don't have bigger either, so with delivery times I should be finished some time next year.

What do you need a torx for?

What do you need a torx for?

 

Airbag removal.

Airbag removal.

Ah out of all the zeds, never had one with an airbag in it :)

Began swapping the steering wheel. Couldn't find a torx security bit larger than 45. Shops don't have bigger either, so with delivery times I should be finished some time next year.

 

Airbag removal.

 

In case you don't already have this information regarding Airbag handling safety:

 

The '96 FSM covers the Airbag system and safety precautions when handling the airbag assembly - in particular

not storing and handling the airbag in the "face down" position. In the event of accidental deployment it would turn

the steering wheel into a projectile, sending it up towards the person handling it.

 

Additionally, the two pins in the airbag connector can be shorted together to remove the chance of an electrical (static)

discharge setting off the airbag.

 

Here is the 'RS' section from the '96 FSM which includes the handling and disposal of airbags:

 

rs.pdf

Edited December 22, 20177 yr by AndrewG

Today I washed mine for the first time since ownership.

Noticed lots of little print chips and blemishes along with my bonnet and spoiler being a complete different colour to the rest of the car. Worst of all though the spoiler has some slight bubbling starting to appear if you look closely.

Today I washed mine for the first time since ownership.

Noticed lots of little print chips and blemishes along with my bonnet and spoiler being a complete different colour to the rest of the car. Worst of all though the spoiler has some slight bubbling starting to appear if you look closely.

 

I thought the seller had sorted the spoiler for you? Or is that why it's a different colour?

They did sort it, by painting it a slightly different shade of white haha. Iv heard it's the nature of these spoilers to bubble though, just didn't think it would be so soon.

Might just go spoilerless on it.

They did sort it, by painting it a slightly different shade of white haha. Iv heard it's the nature of these spoilers to bubble though, just didn't think it would be so soon.

Might just go spoilerless on it.

 

I told you this would happen. Water is now in the spoiler and that's that; it'll continue to bubble and eventually rot. And it'll likely take your bootlid with it!

 

That's why Jimmer was saying that the spoiler needed replacing rather than repairing. Might be time for your "big wing" sooner rather than later....

I told you this would happen. Water is now in the spoiler and that's that; it'll continue to bubble and eventually rot. And it'll likely take your bootlid with it!

 

That's why Jimmer was saying that the spoiler needed replacing rather than repairing. Might be time for your "big wing" sooner rather than later....

 

I think iv decided against joining the big wang gang, will look sleeker without anything on the back. Are they just glued on do you know?

You can get fibreglass replacements.

Stood there and stared at it for a minutes and wondered what I could buy if I sold it.

Stood there and stared at it for a minutes and wondered what I could buy if I sold it.

 

Give us a list of cars you thought of for us to review for you. Obviously they will be completely impartial and non-biased reviews!

I told you this would happen. Water is now in the spoiler and that's that; it'll continue to bubble and eventually rot. And it'll likely take your bootlid with it!

 

That's why Jimmer was saying that the spoiler needed replacing rather than repairing. Might be time for your "big wing" sooner rather than later....

 

Surely a bubbling spoiler is repairable? I work with a lot of composite materials that have similar properties with water ingress, when they’re breached the area has to be fully dried and the area resealed. With the spoiler removed, store in a dry area for a few days and maybe use heat lamps on the offending areas. Once dry, treat the metallic structure to some corrosion conversion/prevention and let it dwell for as long as required, then seal around those studs that let the moisture in (like Nissan should have done from the factory!).

 

Just a thought.

Surely a bubbling spoiler is repairable? I work with a lot of composite materials that have similar properties with water ingress, when they’re breached the area has to be fully dried and the area resealed. With the spoiler removed, store in a dry area for a few days and maybe use heat lamps on the offending areas. Once dry, treat the metallic structure to some corrosion conversion/prevention and let it dwell for as long as required, then seal around those studs that let the moisture in (like Nissan should have done from the factory!).

 

Just a thought.

 

The water's in the rubber though, Joel. It could be resealed presumably, but the dealer he bought the car from was meant to sort this out (as well as the issue with the viscous fan) but all they've done is painted it!

 

Personally, I'd be taking it back to them as the full list of issues that he and I presented to them obviously hasn't been sorted....

Is this an OEM spoiler or an aftermarket (fibreglass) one?

OEM rubber one, Andrew.

The '89 OEM spoilers are made up of a sheet metal frame over which a dense foam is formed to create the shape. A thin plastic skin is then

applied to the exterior (top and sides) surface to create a smooth pliable surface to paint.

 

Typically water gets into the foam through poorly sealed edges and then into openings in the metal frame which are used by the plastic clips

to fix the spoiler to the tailgate. The frame rusts and in doing so allow more water to ingress. The bubbles you see are droplets of water that

are trapped between the foam and the outer skin. If you stick a pin in them water will come out rather like a blister on human skin. The foam

behind the bubbles degrades and becomes powdery. The proper recourse is to replace the spoiler.

 

The photo below show the underside of a spoiler and you can see the openings were the problem starts.

 

Edited December 23, 20177 yr by AndrewG

Give us a list of cars you thought of for us to review for you. Obviously they will be completely impartial and non-biased reviews!

 

Impeccable question. I just don’t know. I’d go for something completely different, either something classic American all noise and not much go of something tiny and all go no show.

Yesterday after weeks in the garage I drove it on a 85 mile round trip. It just makes me smile every time :biggrin:

Boxing day wash and dry :)

 

Blow dry I hope Gary? Oh and I hope the paint wasn’t in direct sunlight during the wash procedure? [emoji28]

Blow dry I hope Gary? Oh and I hope the paint wasn’t in direct sunlight during the wash procedure? [emoji28]

 

There was some winter sun and towled dry. I have a large fan in the garage to help me dry it but as I said to Funkysi yesterday I need a proper dryer.

Bit of an odd question but the grey strip on the front of the bumper, is that standard or was a full painted front bumper optional?

Bit of an odd question but the grey strip on the front of the bumper, is that standard or was a full painted front bumper optional?

Standard

Cheers Alic and that's uk spec too? Also does the strip pop out or is it cut in?