An Aston Martin DB9 by the Numbers

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To8 Comments

Car nerds are often heard uttering this phrase when talking about cars:

Numbers Matching

What they are generally referring to is the desire to have some proof that the car still has its original power train (engine/transmission/etc.) as when it left the factory.  A car with an engine or tranny swap is potentially less desirable than an ‘all original’.

This got me thinking – where are all the numbers on the DB9?

In this article I will chronicle where I find them so you can dig them up on your car too!  [Share where you find them too in the comment section below and I will keep this updated] Continue reading “An Aston Martin DB9 by the Numbers” →

Deep Cleaning and Leather Conditioning the Interior Dash Instrument Panels of an Aston Martin DB9 or DBS

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To4 Comments

What the hell is this article talking about?  Deep cleaning the Dash in a DB9?   This is part of “while your at it” syndrome.   I was dealing with a sagging headliner (read all about that in this article), and to get the headliner out of the car one of the steps described in the official Aston Martin Workshop Manual was to remove the interior dash panels in order to release the A-pillar covers (a.k.a. Cant Rails).  I set about removing ALL the interior dash panels since it was the last panel that come off that hold the A-pillar covers in place (what a surprise).   While I have all those sculpted leather panels off the car, I figured what better time to give them a close inspection and a deep clean.  The cleaner is also a conditioner that adds UV protection, and this should help the leather last a little longer as well.

Failing glue holding edges

During the inspection I discovered three separate panels that had the glue failing and the leather was lifting away.  This was leading to the leather rising up and looking uneven.  This is really, really common with the front most dash panels that are in the direct sun most of the time.   ‘While I was at it’, I opted to get these repaired by an upholsterer. Continue reading “Deep Cleaning and Leather Conditioning the Interior Dash Instrument Panels of an Aston Martin DB9 or DBS” →

Repairing the Failed Headliner in an Aston Martin DB9 or DBS

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To6 Comments
Sagging Headliner – Unhappy Owner

After 12 years of California sun and heat the headliner in my DB9 started to sag.   Specifically the glue between the beautiful Alcantara fabric and the molded headliner form failed, and this caused the fabric to release and sag down on the passengers heads.  I have an entire series of articles and videos dedicated to the steps to repair this issue (check it out here).  In this article I am going to focus on the actual repair of the headliner material, getting it glued back on to the form already removed from the car.
Continue reading “Repairing the Failed Headliner in an Aston Martin DB9 or DBS” →

Removing the Headliner from an Aston Martin DB9 or DBS

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To5 Comments

My DB9 developed a sagging headliner one hot summer California day.   The glue holding the beautiful Alcantara fabric to the Headliner form below let go, and the whole thing hangs sitting on your head.  Determined to fix it myself, I have put together a series of articles showing all the steps, and you can read that here.   This article is going to cover the satisfying step of finally removing the actual Headliner from the car. Continue reading “Removing the Headliner from an Aston Martin DB9 or DBS” →

Removing the A Pillar Interior Trim Cover (Cant Rail) from an Aston Martin DB9 or DBS

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To9 Comments

What the heck is an “A Pillar Interior Trim Cover”?   Aston Martin actually calls it the “Cant Rail”.  It’s that long sweeping Alcantara covered trim piece that stretches up from the dash panel along the side of the windshield (the A pillar) and runs along above the door opening all the way to the rear window.  It covers all the fixings that hold the headliner in place.   This article covers how to remove this trim piece.  I am trying to remove it so I can get to some clips hidden underneath in order to remove my sagging headliner panel.  You can read all about my Sagging Headliner is the main article here. Continue reading “Removing the A Pillar Interior Trim Cover (Cant Rail) from an Aston Martin DB9 or DBS” →

How to Remove and Reinstall the Rear View Mirror in an Aston martin DB9, DBS, or Vantage

On By Steve McEvoyIn Uncategorized6 Comments

Whatsa behind me is Not Important!

Watch the clip here on YouTube

A great line proclaimed by ‘Franco’ (played by Raul Julia) from one of my favorite campy car movies or all time ‘Gumball Rally’.   Totally worth watching if you are a car guy/gal since the cars are real and some of the footage is just great.  427 AC Cobra, Jag E Type, Ferrari’s, Porsche’s and more.  You can watch it online from many streaming services like Amazon and YouTube (for just $2.99 USD), etc.

Anyways, back to today’s post on removing the rear view mirror.  Ripping it off like Franco probably isn’t the advisable way to tackle this in an Aston Martin DB9 and I wanted to share how I did it.  There could be any number of reasons to remove it, but for me it was that I wanted to loosen the Alcantra covered ‘Front Heading’ trim piece that spans the width of the front edge of the headliner so that I could remove the entire headliner to be re-upholstered after it started to sag.  You can check out that whole process in my other article here.

Continue reading “How to Remove and Reinstall the Rear View Mirror in an Aston martin DB9, DBS, or Vantage” →

Affordable Aston Martin OBDII Reader

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, Commentary49 Comments

News Flash!!!  There is finally an affordable OBDII reader that can talk specifically to an Aston Martin.  If you do some of the service work on your Aston an OBDII reader is an essential tool as it can talk to the many computer modules that control the car.   I’ve written several articles already about the topic (you can find them all in this Collection here).  What was bothersome was that none of the aftermarket OBDII readers actual knew all the specific Aston Martin codes.   We could just talk to the Powertrain Control Modules (PCMs) since they were really made by Ford.   We had no access to all the modules on the “Body” port, which included the Airbag, Transmission, Door, Seat, Entertainment, and other control units.

Let me introduce you to the Foxwell NT510.   Foxwell is a Chinese company that makes a number of Automotive Diagnostic Tools.   They have updated this model to now include the codes for the Aston Martin DB9, DBS, Cygnet, Rapide, Vantage and Virage.  The unit has a color display, upgradeable firmware, can comes with a nice storage case.  Let me dive into a few details that matter. Continue reading “Affordable Aston Martin OBDII Reader” →

How to Remove the Passenger Side Dash Panels from an Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To5 Comments

I repeat, are you crazy?  Why would you want to take out the Dash Panels of your DB9?  As I mentioned in my other article on Removing the Drivers Side Dash Panels, there could be lots of reasons:

  • There is a squeak or rattle driving you nuts and you want to see what’s loose under there
  • The glue is failing and the leather is popping up on one of the panels and you need to get it off to take to the upholsterer
  • You are trying to access or remove the A-Pillar cover perhaps to have it re-trimmed or to remove your headliner

For me, I was working on removing my Sagging Headliner (as it turns out you don’t have to remove the A-pillar trim cover so this was a bit of a lark for me).  Whatever your reasons, I can show you how to do it below.

The process on the Passengers side is similar to the Drivers side, but is more difficult.  You have more challenges to deal with, namely the Airbag and Glove box.   In this article I will share the tips you’ll need to tackle this. Continue reading “How to Remove the Passenger Side Dash Panels from an Aston Martin DB9” →

Screwed Again!

On By Steve McEvoyIn Commentary6 Comments

Well, actually it was a piece of metal that pierced my right rear tire.

Metal debris puncture

Walked into the garage this morning to see my three week old new Michelin tire flat as a pancake.  ARRGGGHHHH!  My initial thoughts were that the tire had been installed improperly by the dealer.  A quick peak around the tire and I spotted what looked like a nail stuck squarely into the tire in the center of the tread.  Crap.  If you follow this blog you may recall I got screwed in December 2016, almost exactly a year ago. Continue reading “Screwed Again!” →

Come join me at the AMOC USA West Track Day 2018

On By Steve McEvoyIn CommentaryLeave a comment

If you are a frequent visitor of this Blog you know that I am a believer in taking our fabulous cars out for a stretch once in a while in the safety of an AMOC sponsored track day.  These are a great event and you are surrounded by other Aston’s with drivers sharing the same anxiety as you “Don’t hit my car”.  We all are out to enjoy our cars, not trash them.

Aston Martin Owners Club AMOC LogoThe AMOC USA West division has just announced its 2018 Track Day to be held again at the tremendous Thunderhill Raceway Park in Northern California on Sunday January 14th.

I am personally inviting you to join us and make the journey if you can from anywhere in California, Oregon, Nevada or wherever you are.  We only have room for 40 cars, so please sign up ASAP. Continue reading “Come join me at the AMOC USA West Track Day 2018” →