Come on in and watch the transformation of my "new" car!

**White95Max** · 07-21-2005, 08:55 AM

Originally Posted by General Lee

Man, that car is coming along great! Where can you get Gummipflege?

I got my two bottles from Autopia Car Care last winter when they were clearing out all the 1Z stuff. Now you can still get them at http://www.drivewerks.com

Originally Posted by Hirosh

have you ever thought about getting a mother`s powerball to polish the valve covers? it seems to work and might save you some time.

I tried using a 4" foam pad attached to a drill on the valve cover, and also tried a soft nylon brush, but both seemed to work WORSE than a terry towel by hand, and wasted a lot more product too. I`m almost done with the aluminum polishing, so I`ll just keep at it.

Originally Posted by Mark77

What exactly is a decontamination system? Is it just different chemcals or what?

Check out this link for an explanation.

http://www.fk1usa.com/decontamination.htm

Originally Posted by JJ_

It will be one well looked after car anyway. Are changing the oil/brake fluid as well?

You done an excellent job on the roof. How long did you let the woolite saturate for?

Yes I changed the oil yesterday, and I plan on changing the brake/clutch fluid as well as the transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and coolant. I was going to change the fuel filter but I guess it`s a non-serviceable type, probably located in the fuel pump.

I didn`t let the Woolite saturate at all really. I took a cheap MF towel and soaked it in a solution of Woolite and warm water. I wrang it out to the point that it was just a little wet, and rubbed that gently on the headliner. When it looked like the stain was all gone, I put the MF back in the bucket, and grabbed another MF towel for drying the area that I just cleaned. That`s it.

**BillyBarou** · 07-21-2005, 04:20 PM

That car is lucky to have found you as an owner. This is a reconditioning, not a detailing. Nice work.

**imported_series1** · 07-21-2005, 07:30 PM

Very nice job on the clean ups so far!

**Scottwax** · 07-21-2005, 09:30 PM

Looks like your car is really coming along nicely. That headliner was nasty, did you buy the car from a smoker?

**White95Max** · 07-22-2005, 05:38 AM

Originally Posted by Scottwax

Looks like your car is really coming along nicely. That headliner was nasty, did you buy the car from a smoker?

Apparently. I guess I should have checked into that a little better. The ashtray was even full. That`s ok though. There`s only one very minor burn on the seat, and then the headliner, as far as any damage. Now that the headliner is much better, and the burn is hardly noticeable, I just have to get the smell of the air fresheners out.

**Tasty** · 07-22-2005, 09:35 AM

Well, I think if you didn`t detect the cigarette odor immediately then you are ahead of the game. Headliner turned out GREAT. By the way, isn`t smoking the most foul habit a human can have...what a stench.

**White95Max** · 07-22-2005, 02:12 PM

I got my chrome strut bar today, which I was happy to see because it would compliment the engine bay very nicely. Only one problem exists...it won`t fit. The box that it was shipped in was clearly labeled "Protege 99-01 Front Upper". Here`s the problem...

You`ll notice that between the two strut tower bolts, there is another bolt holding that mounting plate onto the tower. The corner of that plate is in the way of the strut bar mount. See the pictures below...it`s a bit hard to explain.

OK Here`s the side that fits perfectly...no issues with this side.

But on this side lies the problem...

It looks like my only options are:

1. Complain to the Ebay seller...this probably won`t get me anywhere. It is the correct strut bar, and the auction didn`t say anything about 100% perfect fitment with no modifications.

2. Cut the corner off of that mounting plate that`s in the way. I`m still trying to think of any negative effects that might have.

Any other opinions?

**JJ_** · 07-22-2005, 02:49 PM

cut the corner as it seems to be still held on another bolt and also on another surface underneath the one bolt thats in the way?

JJ

**White95Max** · 07-22-2005, 02:52 PM

I was about to do that, but I found that it also contacts two other points in the engine bay. I`m in the process of contacting the seller now. I`m sending an email complete with several pictures of the problem areas. We`ll see what happens.

**White95Max** · 07-22-2005, 03:06 PM

I sent this email to the seller of the strut bar...

"I received my upper strut bar today that I won from your auction on Ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...ME:B:EOAB:MT:6

I am having problems with the fitment on my Protege though. There are several places that the bar touches. I included pictures below of the problem spots.

Here`s a picture showing the whole strut bar.

http://autopia.org/gallery/data/500/SB_Whole_Engine.jpg

In this picture, the strut bar contacts an electrical bracket...

http://autopia.org/gallery/data/500/StBar4.JPG

In this picture, the strut bar contacts the intake manifold...

http://autopia.org/gallery/data/500/StBar2.JPG

And on the passenger side of the engine bay, the strut bar contacts a mounting plate on the strut tower...

http://autopia.org/gallery/data/500/StrutBarProb.JPG

http://autopia.org/gallery/data/500/StrutBarProb4.JPG

I`m very dissapointed that the bar doesn`t fit. It doesn`t even come close to fitting. There are several things that are in the way, and they can`t be moved out of the way either. I would appreciate it if you would allow me to send back the item and refund my money.

Thank you,

Paul

Ebay member name: 5spdwhitemax"

**imported_truzoom** · 07-22-2005, 03:22 PM

Is there a possibilty that the bracket for the strut bar on the passenger side can be exachanged for one that fits around everything?

**Tasty** · 07-22-2005, 03:44 PM

Or find a Protege forum. There`s gotta be a mod to make it fit that isn`t too painful to do.

**White95Max** · 07-22-2005, 04:25 PM

I belong to several Protege and Mazda forums. The problem is with the bar itself, as well as the bracket, so the entire unit has problems. The only part of the strut bar assembly that works as planned is the driver`s side bracket. The other side, and the bar itself are not correct.

**Tasty** · 07-22-2005, 05:08 PM

I see. Good luck with it.

**Setec Astronomy** · 07-22-2005, 06:28 PM

Looks to me that it`s the cruise control bracket that it`s interfering with. Is that a standard option? Or are you now saying that you didn`t get the right part?