schrute's journal

schrute · 11-02-2009, 03:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by khtso

Can you give a quick description of how to remove the 3rd brake light? I already bought a replacement gasket but haven't done it yet. I'm looking to fix the rattle coming from that area and will need to remove the light to do this. Thanks!

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.

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.

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!

k20z3 · 11-02-2009, 03:55 AM

Beautiful !

schrute · 11-02-2009, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j.arnaldo

Why did you change your oil at such a brief interval? What kinda oil are you putting in your engine? I use Mobil 1 5W30, and change it every 7,500k, per the Owner's Manual. Greetings, dude!

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.

schrute · 11-02-2009, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k20z3

Beautiful !

Thanks man! Good luck getting your Z

k20z3 · 11-02-2009, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schrute

Thanks man! Good luck getting your Z

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

lovethe370z · 11-02-2009, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schrute

Delivered at night as the dealership was closing. My patient wife (on the phone) and a dealership employee in the pic...

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

schrute · 11-04-2009, 03:09 AM

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

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.

schrute · 11-04-2009, 03:19 AM

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.

schrute · 11-20-2009, 02:03 AM

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.

CrownR426 · 11-20-2009, 08:54 AM

wow looks real good!
What size tires are those?

schrute · 11-20-2009, 12:45 PM

^Thanks!

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

imag · 11-20-2009, 07:17 PM

That looks sick. Industrial - I love it.

schrute · 11-21-2009, 01:29 AM

^Thanks man!

Jjaden · 11-25-2009, 11:23 AM

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.

LETSGOEERS06 · 11-25-2009, 11:53 AM

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

11-02-2009, 03:55 AM	#47 (permalink)
k20z3 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Denver CO Age: 33 Posts: 2,146 Drives: 2006 Civic SI HFP Rep Power: 405	Beautiful ! James512 likes this. __________________ 2006 RALLYE RED HONDA CIVIC SI HFP Clint's Helpful Photoshop Hints!

11-04-2009, 03:09 AM	#52 (permalink)
schrute Track Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: utah Posts: 781 Drives: my z every day Rep Power: 17	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 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. __________________ my journal \| 2009 370z touring \| 6mt \| platinum graphite \| my album second skin \| mr works \| fast intentions \| ssr \| eibach \| hotchkis \| spc \| toyo \| bluebatmobile \| v-led \| jwt \| ventureshield \| tinted tails

11-04-2009, 03:19 AM	#53 (permalink)
schrute Track Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: utah Posts: 781 Drives: my z every day Rep Power: 17	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. __________________ my journal \| 2009 370z touring \| 6mt \| platinum graphite \| my album second skin \| mr works \| fast intentions \| ssr \| eibach \| hotchkis \| spc \| toyo \| bluebatmobile \| v-led \| jwt \| ventureshield \| tinted tails

11-20-2009, 02:03 AM	#54 (permalink)
schrute Track Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: utah Posts: 781 Drives: my z every day Rep Power: 17	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. __________________ my journal \| 2009 370z touring \| 6mt \| platinum graphite \| my album second skin \| mr works \| fast intentions \| ssr \| eibach \| hotchkis \| spc \| toyo \| bluebatmobile \| v-led \| jwt \| ventureshield \| tinted tails Last edited by schrute; 11-20-2009 at 03:14 AM.

11-20-2009, 08:54 AM	#55 (permalink)
CrownR426 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: South Korea Posts: 4,676 Drives: Manual Rep Power: 848	wow looks real good! What size tires are those? __________________ Love + Hardwork + Passion RIP SVTRacer

11-20-2009, 12:45 PM	#56 (permalink)
schrute Track Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: utah Posts: 781 Drives: my z every day Rep Power: 17	^Thanks! Stock 18" sizes. 225/50-18 Front, 245/45-18 Rear. __________________ my journal \| 2009 370z touring \| 6mt \| platinum graphite \| my album second skin \| mr works \| fast intentions \| ssr \| eibach \| hotchkis \| spc \| toyo \| bluebatmobile \| v-led \| jwt \| ventureshield \| tinted tails

11-20-2009, 07:17 PM	#57 (permalink)
imag Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 446 Drives: up the wall Rep Power: 16	That looks sick. Industrial - I love it.

11-21-2009, 01:29 AM	#58 (permalink)
schrute Track Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: utah Posts: 781 Drives: my z every day Rep Power: 17	^Thanks man! __________________ my journal \| 2009 370z touring \| 6mt \| platinum graphite \| my album second skin \| mr works \| fast intentions \| ssr \| eibach \| hotchkis \| spc \| toyo \| bluebatmobile \| v-led \| jwt \| ventureshield \| tinted tails

11-25-2009, 11:23 AM	#59 (permalink)
Jjaden Track Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Ontario Posts: 821 Drives: 370Z/MAT SILVER/6MT Rep Power: 17	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. Last edited by Jjaden; 11-25-2009 at 11:58 AM.

11-25-2009, 11:53 AM	#60 (permalink)
LETSGOEERS06 Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Morgantown,WV Age: 40 Posts: 116 Drives: 06 Jeep GC Overland Rep Power: 16	were you buing a home at the home gallery and decided to take that pic lol j/k nice z man! love the wheels __________________ 2006 Grand Cherokee Overland Whats the worst thing about loosing to a 5000lb SUV Having to tell your friends what just handed you your a$$ - SRT8

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