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Got my rear brakes fully installed today after the new brackets arrived this afternoon.

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I painted the side of the pad backing plate where I had to file to fit as I didn't want a bunch of rust developing on it and then dripping onto the wheels when wet.

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Haven't tried them yet as I still need to bleed. I'll do that tomorrow as I'm dragging ass today.
 
With the help of John, John and Ray we reset the preload on PunisheRs BC Coilovers. Then we reset the height. All went well but the car is now about an inch too low. Will make the change tomorrow. Much better ride when its not dragging on the ground.

RTE
 
Did my Mobil 1 oil change and tire rotation today at 2,000 miles, so well before those were due. Needed to ”git er done” before the BHR puts my sorry a$$ out of commission for a while.

The oil draining was about the same color as chocolate pudding, but with a golden sheen. I love the feeling of putting nice new fresh synthetic in this vehicle, hate doing it too soon. However I do not relish letting anyone else do either of the tasks I did today, so sometimes the situation dictates you do it early.

One amazing thing about this car. At 18 YEARS OLD there is not a single leak or even the slightest of a weep, anywhere underhood. That includes hoses, castings, radiator etc. To me that is both impressive and hard to believe. Very much like new.:)
 
Didn't do anything to the Sol this weekend but drive it. BUT....

A guy that works for me bought a new-used Silverado last year. He stated "It's the nicest vehicle I've ever owned" and expressed a desire to take top care of it. He knows that I detail (and pamper) my vehicles and asked about doing a detail at my place. I told him to block out a full day for it.

Yesterday we "tag-teamed" the project. He was cleaning the engine bay while I was scrubbing the tires and wheels. We both did the clay "mitt" (I bought a second just for this event.) While he was polishing I would apply protectant on his vinyl stripe decals and buff off the areas he was polishing. While he was waxing I would switch between cleaning the door jambs, applying sealant to the plastic trim and the acrylic tire dressing then buffing off the wax.

We started about 7:45 and were done at noon. (Granted, we didn't detail the interior.) Suprisingly I'm not overly sore this morning - though yesterday my hands cramped up a few times!

He was very much amazed at the results even though he'd been watching videos on detailing. I told him "It looks really good, even if it is a Chevy!"

His wife works at our plant also. I'm looking forward to asking her opinion of our efforts tomorrow.
 
Drove it to the next town where a new butcher's shop opened about an year ago. Been meaning to try some of their stuff for quite a while. Got us an Angus skirt steak, a couple regular (non-Angus) skirt steaks and some chicken wings. It's been a cool but firm weather couple of days. Backyard Barbie on winter!

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agent - I know my post had nothing to do with "what did you do" with your Solstice and neither does yours.

The difference is that yours made me hungry (and I just ate lunch about an hour ago!)
Well both our posts are marginally related to what we did with the Solstice (if not to). Mine involved driving the Solstice to get the meat and yours involved your pampering skills that you usually apply to the Solstice. 🤓

For your viewing pleasure... This is when it was ready. 😁

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I did NOT take pictures of my dinner?

I did finish up releveling the BCs on PunisheR. Its much better now

RTE
 
I did NOT take pictures of my dinner?
I did take because it's been what. 6 months? since I last made a nice Sunday BBQ lunch myself. Mostly had been going out in a hurry because wrenching was taking all the free time on Saturday and Sunday both before and after lunch. So it felt good both to have pleasant weather and do something nice for the missus. 😁
 
not much to report on the coupe, it's still at the paint shop.I had to take the nose back as the 2 coats of clear wasent even 1 coat... the morons didnt mask off the door jambs...so now they have to do the door jambs . they dropped the new gm hood and effed it up after they had painted it...then said it was like that...paint scraped off where they dropped it..you cant fix stupid. so on to week7 coupe at body shop just for paint... and the beautiful just redone interior is now covered is crap as they dont use floor or seat protectors....again you cant fix stupid.
 
I don't now if there is a thread like this, nor do i really care. if there is then take this as me loving the #$%^ out of this car. if not let's make it Official with little updates here and there to know what fun we had with our cars on the current day.




^ This is my 2008 Pontiac Solstice a.k.a leila. She's a 2.4 liter 53 yes 53 thousand mile, daily driven, civic eating, roadster. :cool:. I have been the owner of this vehicle since April of this year, and to me this was an upgrade from a 2002 Mazda Miata Se with the best 6 speed manual transmission i have ever had. For the 1st couple of weeks i was happy because i got a new car. With that being said after that the problems started to show. The tires had been abused, the dealer (ford) could not replace my key fob, and they gave me this excuse. " it's a Pontiac, they don't make it anymore."

With that being said i said *&^% you and walked out. Everybody at that dealership was to busy with their head up their own ass, and fords in general that nobody could help me, not even the gm. With that i took matters into my own hands and just drove to my Local GM dealer, and they gave me a new key fob and an oil change for free :) . Shortly after my visit, i started to get a coolant light come up, and of course me being a member and reading, i quickly found out that i might be in trouble. i filled it up, checked after long drives, and when the car sat in the garage for 2 weeks. No puddles, and no marks on the engine, or frame. I feel like i lucked out, an stopped to worry about it.

Next thing was the fact that the passenger seat would not move forward. I took the seat out, jammed the rail free, and sadly i now have a check airbag sign, but that doesn't bother me. After that i got the brake light, and esc/tc light coming on like no tomorrow. This is my current issue, and i found that my hub bolts are tight, so it's going back to the dealer to have it checked out. ( about to make my point). My car was due for an oil change, and i put it upon myself to change it. I don't know why, but the oil filter location to me is something that could have been altered, or improved. Regardless it was done. I took the keys and let her idle for a couple of minutes, checked for leaks, and tightened the drain plug.

With that being done i went inside got a clean shirt, and took the car out for a spin. ( here it comes ) This car is so much fun to drive, it's not even funny. I now know for sure that i made the right choice in trading in my Miata for this amazing car. Yes you can complain about the interior and all of those damn check this check that lights, but the fact that this car is the best roadster i have owned to this day. I had the pleasure of driving many cars, such as the crossfire, miata, s2000, and a 350Z. yes the car is underpowered, but i would pick this car over any of the ones mentioned above. I would probably pick up a gxp if given the chance, but as far as fun and pleasure, this car is IT! :thumbs: As with everybody the mod bug has hit me, and in this picture you can see an obvious mod. regardless, this car will never leave my side. I love it, and i appreciate it's little faults more everyday. It's a beautiful relationship, and it's growing stronger every day.


Ok i'm done :)
installing heat wrap on the exhaust, heat blanket on the muffler.. Getting ready for a Sunday drive.
 
“Fixed” my dropping clutch pedal by ordering a new one. Literally ordered the part and the clutch pedal started behaving.

All good with me as that means i will have time to de-rust the OEM replacement part (they have all rusted by now as they are bare and uncoated from the factory).
One more “better than new” part once i am done :)
 
“Fixed” my dropping clutch pedal by ordering a new one. Literally ordered the part and the clutch pedal started behaving.

All good with me as that means i will have time to de-rust the OEM replacement part (they have all rusted by now as they are bare and uncoated from the factory).
One more “better than new” part once i am done :)
I am watching this to see if In need to spare one.

RTE
 
Sunday Aug 18, 2024....

Ah! We had a beautiful day today in East Tennessee. We took the Solstice out for a nice long drive (2.5hrs).
Went down 127 from Crossville to Pikeville and up 30 to Wooden's Apple Orchard. Nice and curvy and hilly roads to toss the car around on. Had a nice hot apple fritter with vanilla ice cream, bought some apples and cider, then headed home.
I drove down, the wifey drove back. Temp ran under 208 F with the A/C on and lots of Turbo Boost along the way! Fuel economy was 28.5 MPG (awesome and not expected) at a avg speed of 25 mph, although most of the trip was at 70+. Running perfectly! Life is good!
 
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