What have you done to your SVX (or other Subaru) today?

[LarryIII]

What did you use on the outside of the headlight lenses to get them so clear? I would like to try to clean and polish the exterior of the headlight lenses on my '92 SVX, "SVXY". Thank you.

[Blacky]

Originally Posted by LarryIII

What did you use on the outside of the headlight lenses to get them so clear? I would like to try to clean and polish the exterior of the headlight lenses on my '92 SVX, "SVXY". Thank you.

I found that Meguair's ScratchX is far superior to any headlight cleaning paste. I use it every couple of years on the SVX. The first time the lights were very yellowed and foggy. In about 10 to 15 minutes, working by hand only, they were lovely and clear.

[Noriyasu]

Originally Posted by LarryIII

What did you use on the outside of the headlight lenses to get them so clear? I would like to try to clean and polish the exterior of the headlight lenses on my '92 SVX, "SVXY". Thank you.

Hello LarryIII

First, the right side of the headlight in the photo is after polishing, and the left side is before polishing. Left headlight of top half became yellow.

There are many chemicals available that will clean your headlights without any effort, but I don't want to take any risks, so I stick to the old-fashioned, tedious method.

In classic cars, if fails by chemicals, sometimes there are no alternatives parts. Then, I use only sandpaper and compound.
For example, alcohol has been known to cause hairline cracks in polycarbonate. Headlight chemicals do not typically list their ingredients in detail.
So I'm afraid to use it. Of course, if there are other people who are using chemicals without any problems, I think that's the right way too.

For reference, I start with #600 and then wet sand using #1000, #1500, and #2000 sandpaper.
Then polish with Farecla G3 and a cloth, and finally with Farecla G10.
The work time is about 30 minutes per side. When polishing with the lights still installed on the car, protect the surrounding area with paper masking tape or other tape that does not leave any sticky residue to avoid damaging the paint on the body.

[SVX_MY_BABY]

Originally Posted by Blacky

I found that Meguair's ScratchX is far superior to any headlight cleaning paste. I use it every couple of years on the SVX. The first time the lights were very yellowed and foggy. In about 10 to 15 minutes, working by hand only, they were lovely and clear.

I've used this method and can vouch for it. I posted about it a few years ago.

[Noriyasu]

Originally Posted by SVX_MY_BABY

I've used this method and can vouch for it. I posted about it a few years ago.

It seems that it can be purchased in Japan on Amazon. But I was surprised at how expensive it was.

The main ingredient is aluminum oxide, a common abrasive. I always use aluminum oxide media for sandblasting. Aluminum oxide is so hard, so I think it has a very good abrasive ability. It might be good for polishing headlights.

[Noriyasu]

Today, I'm replacing the rear door of my neighbor's Impreza. It seems that the wife has rubbed something from front to back somewhere.

I managed to find the rear doors in the same color for now, but am still looking for the fenders and front doors.

The body was probably torn apart when it came into contact with a guard wire or something. The rear wheel arch cannot be replaced, so I repaired it. This time, I used sheet metal solder instead of welding because the area is small.

It will take whole day today to apply a few coats of primer and then paint.
Today is a warm day with no wind, so I think I'll be able to complete it.

I also painted the spare seat belt anchor parts that had turned white.

[Noriyasu]

That's all for today.

I'll continue once I get the front doors and fenders.

[Noriyasu]

Today I replaced the suspension springs on my Impreza.

Both the OEM and STi springs were already NLA, but Kayaba produced them on back order. The springs don't look rusty, but they are clearly weak and the car is too low, so the underguard sometimes touches the ground when it's uneven. I have an aluminum underguard for the rally, so the oil pan doesn't hit the ground, but it bothers me.

After the replacement, the car height is almost the same as when it was new. I prefer it a little lower than normal, but I have no other choice. I am very satisfied.

In Japan, there are several consecutive holidays in early May, called Golden Week. I have almost finished the planned work on my cars in this holidays. I plan to clean the engine and transmission removed from the R1, and do some maintenance on the spare parts next. Work will be busy again in a few days.

Anyway, I'm happy now that all our cars are in good condition.

Fortunately, I had a lot of work last year and some income, so I bought enough parts to buy a car in the last six months. I think my daily repairs are finally coming to an end.

[SVX_MY_BABY]

Originally Posted by Blacky

I found that Meguair's ScratchX is far superior to any headlight cleaning paste. I use it every couple of years on the SVX. The first time the lights were very yellowed and foggy. In about 10 to 15 minutes, working by hand only, they were lovely and clear.

Larry: here's the post which has some pictures:

https://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/sho...08&postcount=4

[Noriyasu]

Today, I opened the transmission of an R1 that has run 230,000 km. The R1's transmission was making a strange noise from the front differential, so I replaced it with a used one when I replaced the engine.

I have overhauled the rear differential many times, but this is the first time I have done the front one. The CVT is a type of AT with a complex hydraulic circuit, and even small particles can cause problems.

To be honest I'm not confident I can repair this transmission.

Anyway, I wanted to find out what was causing the noise.

The pinion gear is in heel contact. The bearings are so worn that there is a large gap in both the axial and thrust directions.

Replacing the bearings might fix it, but if the gears themselves are worn out it might not. If you have to incur the cost of replacing the gears, you're better off just throwing it away, as used transmissions are cheaper.

[Mike621]

Originally Posted by Noriyasu

Today, I opened the transmission of an R1 that has run 230,000 km. The R1's transmission was making a strange noise from the front differential, so I replaced it with a used one when I replaced the engine.

I have overhauled the rear differential many times, but this is the first time I have done the front one. The CVT is a type of AT with a complex hydraulic circuit, and even small particles can cause problems.

To be honest I'm not confident I can repair this transmission.

Anyway, I wanted to find out what was causing the noise.

The pinion gear is in heel contact. The bearings are so worn that there is a large gap in both the axial and thrust directions.

Replacing the bearings might fix it, but if the gears themselves are worn out it might not. If you have to incur the cost of replacing the gears, you're better off just throwing it away, as used transmissions are cheaper.

Good luck with the fix!

[Noriyasu]

Originally Posted by Mike621

Good luck with the fix!

Hi, Thanks.

I asked the dealer and they told me that the pinion gear was already NLA. I have already purchased the bearings and seals, so I will try to replace them when I have time.

So if it doesn't get fixed I'll throw it away.

First, I need to finish two tasks at my main job. After that, I will buy four tires and get my H6 Legacy 3.0R touring wagon vehicle inspection certificate.

I have a lot of scrap metal and aluminum from a lot of maintenance work I did last half year, and I'm planning on taking it to the scrap yard to be traded for pennies. Since Japan is a resource-poor country, metal recycling is actively carried out.

[Noriyasu]

A while ago, I repaired the heating wire on a VIVIO rear defogger.

I used this conductive pen.

https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0CPYS8F...fed_asin_title

I hadn't been able to check it until today, but yesterday I went out in the rain, so the room was damp and there was condensation this morning. One of the many heating wires was scraped and didn't work, but it seems to have been repaired successfully.

[Noriyasu]

I got a used fender (wing) for my neighbor, but it has holes for turn signals. His Impreza has turn signals on the door mirrors, so he doesn't need turn signals on the fender.

I had no choice but to seal the hole. Since welding could warp the thin steel plate, I used sheet metal solder again this time.

My wife's friend had previously damaged a bumper in an accident and replaced it to used one before. I had it repaired partway before. So I applied putty that too. I think the shape was restored nicely.

To be precise, the husband of my wife's friend borrowed her car and had an accident. He left it for over three years without repairing it, and she seemed very sad. It's a terrible story.

Anyway, ABS and PP bumpers can be repaired by heating them.