Day 61
Last week the BRZ arrived back via contactless delivery. Fully aligned and ready to go. Ignore the bonnet gap, the bonnet is open as I needed to fix the lock before I close it:
Untitled by
James Baker, on Flickr
However my first job was to start stripping the front end back down so I could fit the rads/aircon/fans. Super easy job now I have done it multiple times.
Untitled by
James Baker, on Flickr
My make shift painting station where I painted everything within the engine bay/front that had come from other cars or had come from Subaru in the black primer type finish.
Untitled by
James Baker, on Flickr
I decided to go with matt black for a simple clean look. I will eventually do the entire engine bay in matt black as it will tie in with whichever colour I do the exterior and the engine isnt coming out for the respray so its easier for me to paint it matt black and get a decent finish. Hence why you can see paint under where the front wings will go.
Next I fitted the radiator/air con/fan assembly, I had to swap over the air con metal hoses as mine were also damaged from the crash. I then followed the correct process to fill/bleed/test the radiators with no signs of leaks:
Untitled by
James Baker, on Flickr
This was a relief as it means I can move the car with no fear of damaging everything as this now means I have a running car. Idles perfectly, the engine seems good with no error codes which is a bonus.
Once that was done I set about bolting up the front end, fitting the crash beam, crash sensors etc and accounting for all the hanging connectors. All went back perfectly. I also refitted the airbox, snorkel and the surround that sits between the two. New items added to the list of bits to buy include the radiator filler bracket and a new filler neck for the washer reservoir:
Untitled by
James Baker, on Flickr
Next I plumbed in the new washer reservoir which had been destroy in the crash. Check for leaks and all good. Now I need to order some washer jets for the headlights but other than that the washer system is now fully functional again:
Untitled by
James Baker, on Flickr
Prep for paint
Fixing wise there isnt much left to do so the car can now go for paint, however I need to strip the car to keep costs down. So I stripped everything needed to get the car painted including:
-Both wings
-Rear Lights
-Door Seals
-Window Seals
-Aerial
-Roof trim
-Wing Mirrors
-Kick Plates
-Door cards (I will replace weather seal plastic once painted)
Untitled by
James Baker, on Flickr
So the only things left that I need to do this week are the:
- Rear Bumper
- Door Handles
Then its ready for paint:
Untitled by
James Baker, on Flickr
Untitled by
James Baker, on Flickr
Also my bonnet lifters arrived, they will go on the shelf to be fitted once the car has been painted as they will only have to come off again:
Untitled by
James Baker, on Flickr
Also a courier today is collecting a Boral Unequal length manifold and a Milltek Overpipe that came up for sale at a great price. I fancy a bit of Scooby rumble from the boxer while I save up for forced induction.
Removing Exterior Door Handles
If anyone has any tips for doing this on a BRZ/GT86/FRS that have the touch sensors, please let me know. Only way I can see so far is to remove the glass to get to the connector to disconnect it. Its super easy for cars without this feature as its one torx headed bolt and you are done, not so simple on the UK spec cars with the touch sensors.