Picked up a CDR-220 to replace my CDR-210 so that I can get Aux input easily.

CL find. No idea if it works, but for 40 bucks I'll give it a shot.

Sticky knobs though, which feel gross. I'll fix that if the unit works!

*update: Got the code, plugged it in, and it works. Cleaned up the knobs with alcohol swabs to get rid of the stickyness. Only issue: some of the channel preset buttons stay stuck in. A little maintenance work ahead. But this is great. Will start looking for AUX in options, maybe go Bluetooth.

Today I took my $2000 Challenge car off the trailer and went for one last drive before letting it rest for a month or two. I made a short video to show its current condition before I start building for 2020.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bp9rX0gBpiA" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Got the rebuilt alternator installed. Took me a couple of hours, spent mostly finagling the thing back in. I did remove the passenger seat rails from the floor... moving the seat forward. Did not disconnect the harness under the seat. That gave me some wiggle room. Others have said the German engineers could have given another 1/4"... even 1/8" for the short bolt.

The longer bolt (idler pulley) necessitated the use of the short crowbar and long screwdriver to line up the unit so the bushing (in the rear) received the pulley bolt. That took ~5 minutes.

It was an exercise in patience.

Tightened everything back up, and tomorrow I'll go back in to make certain everything is snugged up. The"new" unit sounds very quiet. It's clear, now, that the 2 years I've owned the car... the alternator was noisy.

I failed to take the ibuprofen 30 minutes beforehand, and I'm certain I'll be feeling the effects of that failure in 5... 4... 3... 2... 1...

Many thanks to all who have, over the years, shared their tips and tricks.

:cheers:

There seem to be a lot projects with these cars that statement can apply to.

Seriously. 30 minutes of the time spent was walking back and forth from the house, with the voice in my head saying things like:

"If push comes to shove I can have it towed to the shop and let them install it." (Doing the math in my head)

"Jim, you're not the first wonk to install an alternator."

"Maybe I should go on CL and find a mobile mechanic." (Doing the math in my head)

"Dude, what else have you got going on today, just be patient." (Reminding myself I raised kids)

"Where's Nick? That facker is never around when I need a hand." (He phones me at 5P, two weeks after last I heard from him)

"If you don't get it in today, you're pushing it back into the carport space." (Visualising the struggle with my 5' 90lb wife pushing it from behind)

"Thank goodness it's halfway warm outside."

"Be cool. You tell people you exercise a greate degree of patience since owning this thing. Act like it."

"You're saving ~$1,000."

And, after finally getting in the bolts, looking at the car and in the Jesse Pinkman voice saying, "Yeah, b*tch."

:cheers:

Great job, Jim! It doesn't look like a fun job, and patience with inanimate objects is not my strong point, so kudos to you!

Thanks, Pal. Ya know... when I was finagling it out I heard this "crunch"... and I thought, "Great. I broke some sh** and that's another thing to fix". You know... brittle plastic. When I was removing the plastic cap that covers the alternator cable (accessed from the top of the engine) incorrectly I pulled on it and a few pieces of it went flying. Thus, I may abandon the cover... or find other means to secure it.

If ever again I have to remove it... it'll take me ~15 minutes. Takes longer to remove the carpet and engine covers. Install... probably around 30 minutes.

You could do it.! You've got patience. I mean, you have to. You know. Trump. :p

Have a great day!!! :cheers:

Put it into hibernation and won't see it until March 23. Drove it 4700 miles since the beginning of April, about average over the past 5 years I've had it (2000S). No work needed but have had a couple intermittent CEL's for some sort of emissions issues which I get fixed along with installing a new AOS in the spring. Getting familiar with the Volvo XC70 with 254,000 miles (Thor) for the coming winter.

Larry (the Bald Eagle)

Painted the calipers this week. If you're not already a subscriber I'd ask you to subscribe and help me reach my goal!

https://youtu.be/mrbSBQjv0Iw

Was a accomplice helping a friend butcher a simple oil change today. Stripped the drain plug. didn't use a washer. Now he is ordering a bunch of parts incase we have to do some demo to get it fixed. After that, I walked over to mine and rolled the windows and put it to bed. To much bad juju doing maintenance at my house today. I'll change my oil next weekend.

I started my rear suspension rebuild. I'm replacing all suspension pieces with new. I am also replacing with low KM Boxster S shock / springs. So when it's done it should be a pretty good upgrade.

Only thing I got snagged on is the T40 bit for a couple of the ball joints. I'll get that sorted out tomorrow and keep going.

So far, so good. Lots of great tips and trick from you all. Makes the job much less daunting. Thanks!

I tried out my brand new Quick Jack. Amazing how high it gets it. This is gonna really help w/ the boxster. Worth $1200? Not sure, not gonna worry about it.

I spend money like a crack whore.

I love to do suspension and steering work. It really is so rewarding.

Sir. Crack whores spend far less money than you do. You've been buying so many parts I wouldn't be surprised A&E isn't close to contacting you for a Hoarders Special Edition: 986.

Lets see some pictures. Or, are you waiting for the big reveal? :cheers:

Replaced all speakers

Went for all JBL speakers as there are made by Harman

JBL 5020 subs in the doors
JBL 4020 mids in the dash
JBL 3020 mids in the rear

Very happy with the sound :-)


http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1572799242.jpg
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1572799287.jpg
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1572799265.jpg

Machined/test fit rear toe lock outs.

https://i.ibb.co/K7sVtGV/BB544275-9-...D47-F5-E35.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/KzHypJf/2-D907873-A...8730-C5-E2.jpg

Ordered FSI 3.8L Stage 1+ Performer engine
 

After a long discussion with Jake and Jud I contracted for a Stage 1+ Street Performer engine rebuild with the ‘Exclusive Service’ for my 550SE. Took the first available slot at Jake’s Georgia facility. I ship the car to him end July 2020 and I should have it back in Jan 2021.

In the interim, I just had the new Cocoa Sonnendeck top installed and I’m waiting on my new DCT steering wheel and Classic9 leather upholestery to arrive. Both are in Napa cocoa leather with silver stitching.

New PSS9s are in and will be installed next week.

I’d post pictures but I still cannot upload pics to any Pelican site without using Tapatalk and I’m just tired of Pelican’s refusal to address this issues for years now.

Would you still be able to do adjustments with these?

Impressive .. and must have been quite a thrilling experience ..

rather in awe here .. great work

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

yes good work .. and patience ..

at my age, all I could muster this weekend was a good hand washing and cleaning .. ~and~ even at that I had a helping pair of hands ..https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...5e3882ee5e.jpg

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