I'll start by recommending that you don't remove the 3rd brake light yourself - take it to the dealer or bodyshop. I say this because if you can remove it without breaking anything my hat is off to you. :tiphat:

The challenge is there are two metal u-shaped clips that hold the assembly to the car that are difficult to get to. While trying to remove the assembly as one piece I popped the lens off the assembly and broke two (out of 8 or so) of the plastic tabs that attach the lens to the rest of the assembly. Everything went back together feeling solid so in the end it was ok but it sucks that stuff broke. If you go forward with it here's how it goes.

Start by gaining access to the 10mm bolts under the receiver hooks for the cargo cover on the inside of the hatch. There's a seam on these hooks that you pry open to reveal a 10mm bolt. With the bolts removed the lower panel just snaps off. This will give you access to the nut pictured below.

http://www.the370z.com/members/schru...7635-chmsl.jpg

With the nut removed you now need to release the two metal clips - you can see where they are in the picture above. The foam gasket is in your way (#1 in the pic) - I cut it carefully with a box knife, all the way around. You might be able to get the clips to release with a credit card or putty knife or something similar, slide the tool between the back of the CHMSL assembly and the body of the car (on the outside of the hatch) but again this is where I had trouble.

Good luck!

Beautiful !

I changed the oil at 1300 miles to get the break-in oil out and fresh oil in. A new engine will shed more metal in the first 1000 miles than it will for the next tens of thousands of miles, or so I've read. Getting that material out was the goal.

The next oil change at 3800 miles had more to do with installing the magnetic oil pan drain bolt and filter magnet recommended in AK's Oil Change DIY than any other reason, I just didn't want to wait to install them. Also at that time I made the switch from Mobil 1 to Redline oil. I'll probably do the next change at 7500 miles and every 3750 or so after that. I like clean oil, and changing it myself is somthing I enjoy doing - not a chore.

Thanks man! Good luck getting your Z :driving:

Yeah lets hope so, if so we'll have a photoshoot get free $200.00 photos free!

They just love to deliver cars in the dark, don't they.

Replaced differential oil with Redline 75W90 synthetic GL-5 gear oil at 4737 miles. Spearfish25's DYI was a huge help. Thanks Spearfish, Rep added!

Check out the junk the magnetic drain bolt was hanging onto

http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/x...lDrainBolt.jpg

http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/x...nBoltclean.jpg

From what I understand the Diff sheds its excess material at a much faster rate early, as in the first 1-2k miles. It's nice to have it out of there, and fresh clean oil in its place (not to mention the benefit of high-end Redline fluids). I expect the next Diff fluid change will have much less of this junk to clean out.

Replaced manual transmission oil with 50/50 mix of Redline MTL and Redline MT-90 at 4737 miles using Spearfish25's DIY - Thanks again man!

The shifter action is noticeably improved, the shifter slips into gear just a little smoother. Feels great. I like it. Worth the effort.

Switched to the winter wheelset @ 5401 miles.

Blizzak LM-25's in the stock 18" sizes (225/50, 245/45) on OEM 18" wheels powdercoated flat black.

http://www.the370z.com/members/schru...intershoes.jpg

http://www.the370z.com/members/schru...9-img-3628.jpg

wow looks real good!
What size tires are those?

^Thanks!

Stock 18" sizes. 225/50-18 Front, 245/45-18 Rear.

That looks sick. Industrial - I love it.

^Thanks man!

Wow, you are immaculate in taking care of your vehicle and have provided an excellent journal.

I love what you've done with the tailights my intention now is to follow suit. I have the identical winter tire/wheel setup, just looking to get my wheels powdercoated this week.

I noticed the bulbs you used are no longer available at amazon, do you know of any other online store that would carry those?

Reputation added for you sir.:tiphat:

were you buing a home at the home gallery and decided to take that pic lol j/k nice z man! love the wheels