Bleeding the Brakes on an Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To9 Comments

Aston Martin DB9 Front BrakeYou may need to bleed the brakes on your DB9 for several reasons like replacing a caliper, a cracked hose, or as part of changing the brake fluid every year with the annual service (which is what I am doing).

Brake fluid is hygroscopic – which means it absorbs water, even out of the air.  The potential for water in the brake lines is bad mojo, so Aston Martin requires that all the brake fluid is changed as part of every annual service. Continue reading “Bleeding the Brakes on an Aston Martin DB9” →

Installing the Rear Under Tray on an Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To2 Comments
Aston Martin DB9 Rear Under Tray
Rear Under Tray cleaned and ready to install

Reinstalling the rear under tray / shield on your DB9 is easy.  I am assuming you’ve already removed it for some other service task (like changing your rear differential fluid), and you can check out my previous post and video on how to remove the rear under tray.

While I had the tray off my car, I took the time to clean it up so it looked good as new.  This was simply using my pressure washer to clean it off (you could use a hose and a scrubby brush equally well), and then after it was dry I treated it to an application of Meguiar’s Ultimate Black Plastic Restorer to make it look as good as new.  Check out the results! Continue reading “Installing the Rear Under Tray on an Aston Martin DB9” →

Changing the Rear Differential / Transaxle Fluid and Filter on an Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To27 Comments
Draining the Rear Differential Oil on an Aston Martin DB9
In the first post I explained how to drain the oil

This is the second part of my post on Changing the Rear Differential / Transaxle Fluid and Filter on a DB9.  You should really check out my previous post and video on draining the rear differential fluid first as this is a continuation of that process (you can find it here).

We left off with the car in the air, rear under tray removed, drain & fill plugs removed, oil drained and filter removed.   Time to get on with putting it back together! Continue reading “Changing the Rear Differential / Transaxle Fluid and Filter on an Aston Martin DB9” →

Draining the Rear Differential / Transaxle Fluid on an Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To3 Comments
Draining the Rear Differential Oil on an Aston Martin DB9
Draining the Rear Differential Oil

One item that pops up on the DB9 Annual Service requirement periodically is changing the rear differential / transaxle fluid.    To be clear this is NOT the transmission fluid (which in theory never needs changed).  I am covering only the process of draining the fluid in this post, and will cover changing/cleaning the filter and refilling the oil in the next post [I just don’t want the post to be too long].

Continue reading “Draining the Rear Differential / Transaxle Fluid on an Aston Martin DB9” →

Removing the Rear Under Tray on an Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To1 Comment
Aston Martin DB9 Rear Under Tray Parts Diagram
Rear Under Tray

Removing the rear under tray on your DB9 might be needed for several service items.  The most likely is needing access to change the rear differential fluid as part of an annual service.

The good news it that it’s pretty easy and only takes a couple of minutes once you have the vehicle off the ground.   I don’t have a service lift or hoist, so I make due with a jack and stands.   Check out my other posts on:

Continue reading “Removing the Rear Under Tray on an Aston Martin DB9” →

Cleaning the Wheel Rims on your Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To2 Comments

Aston Martin DB9 Road WheelThe DB9 comes with a beautiful set of OEM aluminum alloy wheels.  They are a 10 spoke unit made by Speedline.  8.5×19 upfront and 9.5×19 in the rear.

During normal washing of the car it’s easy to get the face of the wheel clean, but more difficult to get the large surfaces behind the spokes.  Sure, you can use a wheel brush and do your best, but they are never perfect.

Aston Martin DB9 Dirty Inner Wheel Rim
Dirty Inner Rim

Whenever I have a wheel off the car (for example during an annual service), I take the opportunity to clean both the inside and outside of the rims much more thoroughly.

Continue reading “Cleaning the Wheel Rims on your Aston Martin DB9” →

Changing the Air Filters on your Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To8 Comments

Changing the Air Filters is a standard service item for any car on the road today, but on your DB9 it is a pain in the ass.  In any normal car they’ve design the air filter system to be easy to service, but oh-no, not Aston Martin.  All those good looks come at a price, and in this case it meant they had to stuff the air filters in behind the front bumper, never to be seen.  Changing them is part of the 2 year annual service regime, so you should get to know how to do this properly, and I’ll share what I know with you below. Continue reading “Changing the Air Filters on your Aston Martin DB9” →

Bonus Tour inside the Wheel Wells with Liners Removed on an Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To3 Comments

Airbox, Headlamps, and air intake pipe on an Aston Martin DB9This is a fairly frivolous post, but gives me a place to put the videos and photos I took when I had the front plastic inner wheel well arch liners removed (see my other post on how to remove them).

I find that if I can see a photo (or video) of what to expect when I am gearing up to tackle a project, I am better prepared.   Trying to help you with “If only I had a picture of what was behind that to know if I should …..”

Maybe there will be something you’ll spot in these to help you with your project.

Continue reading “Bonus Tour inside the Wheel Wells with Liners Removed on an Aston Martin DB9” →

Removing the Front Inner Wheel Well Arch Liner on an Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To17 Comments

Aston Martin DB9 Front Wheel Arch Liner Parts DIagramSeveral service issues on your DB9 require you to remove the plastic inner wheel well arch liner so you can access hidden components.   The most common reason is when you change your Air Filter as part of an annual service.

The technique is the same for both the right and left sides.

Continue reading “Removing the Front Inner Wheel Well Arch Liner on an Aston Martin DB9” →

Refilling the Oil in your Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To13 Comments

Pouring OilOne of the final steps in the Oil change service on your DB9 is to refill the oil.   Okay, Okay, I hear you laughing about this too (is he going to tell us which end of the funnel goes down?).  No, but there are just a few bits of advice to share (including that the narrow end of the funnel goes down ;>).

Refill the Oil BEFORE you reinstall the front under tray.  You need to be able to check the sump drain plug and filter for leaks, so leave the tray off for now.

Remember that your Oil Filter is empty, so there is a void in the system.  This requires that you refill in essentially 2 stages. Continue reading “Refilling the Oil in your Aston Martin DB9” →