omgyouresexy
Member
- Joined
- January 26, 2009
- Messages
- 44
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Raleigh, NC
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- '99 Eddie Bauer
So if you've peeked over in the new member section recently, you might have seen that I've joined as a new member who just recently bought a '99 EB from some guy off Craigslist. I got a pretty good deal on it due to a few cosmetic and running problems, most of which I weel would be easy to fix or won't matter if I fix.
I figured I keep a running list of these issues as sort of a record of what I've done to the car, and possibly provide an opportunity for you guys to give advice if you feel so inclined about what to do or point to some useful how-to threads or websites. I have to run to work in a minute, so I'll just list some of the stuff that's wrong with it and come back and add what my plans are or what I've read might solve the problem later.
Cosmetic:
- Flecks of white primer on front passenger panel near wheel from where previous owner was painting his porch - don't know if its oil or latex
- Broken driver side front bumper trim (that reflective part that goes around the fog lamp) - should be a cheap fix, but I might try an auto salvage yard first before I buy 2 new ones
- Want to clean the engine components under the hood... not to make it ultra shiny, just to make it look a little nicer and less gunky, just dont know what to use
Possibly Not Just Cosmetic:
The same ding that the guy was in that cracked the front bumper trim, he said did something to the driver side panel over the wheel. It seems to have pushed it backwards just enough so that when you open the driver door, it will rub against that side panel and make a loud POP noise as it slides past it. It's not horrible, but kindof annoying and embarrassing. It gives the car a "beater" feel. I don't have any clue how you'd see if you could readjust that panel, like if it's just bolted on or what. I haven;t looked at it to any extent yet.
Mechanical:
Cruise Control not working. I did a CC diagnostic test (where you use the steering wheel buttons to do the dash blink test. It said the Brake Deactivation Switch (SCDS) was open or the circuit was bad, so I looked at the master cylinder and, sure enough, it had been unplugged and taped over with electrical tape. I imagine this was the dealership's doing back when they first had that major recall, but the impression I got was that they were supposed to replace that part eventually, and maybe he never took it back in. If it's not still covered, then I know it's a cheap part, I just don't know how to fix it yet.
Tires:
I'm petty sure the sticker inside the driver side door recommends a PSI of 30... and this guy had the tires at 38. The rear tires are completely bald in the middle with a ton of tread on the outside. I'll have to buy new rear tires, but in the meantime, should I deflate them all to 30 or 32 and put the front tires (newer with more tread) on the back (since its RWD)? Right now I feel like I'm driving on bald, overinflated tires.
Brakes:
After I bought it, I started noticing this very loud squealing noise coming from what sounds like the rear passenger tire. It sounds a lot like a brake squeal, but I'm not pressing the brakes, it's when I first start to accelerate or go in reverse. It quits eventually, but this too is also very embarassing. I noticed the guy never used the emergency brake before and it seems to happen once I started using it. I've stopped in the meantime, but I wonder if maybe the brakes arent retracting enough and rubbing against the rotor slightly as I begin to drive? There is almost NO give to the emergency brake when I press it. I'm barely able to get it down an inch before I can't press it anymore. This seems abnormal to me. Any ideas? I havent looked at the brakes yet. I plan to today or tomorrow.
I figured I keep a running list of these issues as sort of a record of what I've done to the car, and possibly provide an opportunity for you guys to give advice if you feel so inclined about what to do or point to some useful how-to threads or websites. I have to run to work in a minute, so I'll just list some of the stuff that's wrong with it and come back and add what my plans are or what I've read might solve the problem later.
Cosmetic:
- Flecks of white primer on front passenger panel near wheel from where previous owner was painting his porch - don't know if its oil or latex
- Broken driver side front bumper trim (that reflective part that goes around the fog lamp) - should be a cheap fix, but I might try an auto salvage yard first before I buy 2 new ones
- Want to clean the engine components under the hood... not to make it ultra shiny, just to make it look a little nicer and less gunky, just dont know what to use
Possibly Not Just Cosmetic:
The same ding that the guy was in that cracked the front bumper trim, he said did something to the driver side panel over the wheel. It seems to have pushed it backwards just enough so that when you open the driver door, it will rub against that side panel and make a loud POP noise as it slides past it. It's not horrible, but kindof annoying and embarrassing. It gives the car a "beater" feel. I don't have any clue how you'd see if you could readjust that panel, like if it's just bolted on or what. I haven;t looked at it to any extent yet.
Mechanical:
Cruise Control not working. I did a CC diagnostic test (where you use the steering wheel buttons to do the dash blink test. It said the Brake Deactivation Switch (SCDS) was open or the circuit was bad, so I looked at the master cylinder and, sure enough, it had been unplugged and taped over with electrical tape. I imagine this was the dealership's doing back when they first had that major recall, but the impression I got was that they were supposed to replace that part eventually, and maybe he never took it back in. If it's not still covered, then I know it's a cheap part, I just don't know how to fix it yet.
Tires:
I'm petty sure the sticker inside the driver side door recommends a PSI of 30... and this guy had the tires at 38. The rear tires are completely bald in the middle with a ton of tread on the outside. I'll have to buy new rear tires, but in the meantime, should I deflate them all to 30 or 32 and put the front tires (newer with more tread) on the back (since its RWD)? Right now I feel like I'm driving on bald, overinflated tires.
Brakes:
After I bought it, I started noticing this very loud squealing noise coming from what sounds like the rear passenger tire. It sounds a lot like a brake squeal, but I'm not pressing the brakes, it's when I first start to accelerate or go in reverse. It quits eventually, but this too is also very embarassing. I noticed the guy never used the emergency brake before and it seems to happen once I started using it. I've stopped in the meantime, but I wonder if maybe the brakes arent retracting enough and rubbing against the rotor slightly as I begin to drive? There is almost NO give to the emergency brake when I press it. I'm barely able to get it down an inch before I can't press it anymore. This seems abnormal to me. Any ideas? I havent looked at the brakes yet. I plan to today or tomorrow.
Yet another couple hundred dollar fix taken care of thanks to some do it yourself attitude and the fine internet establishment.
