Category: Advice

Aston Martin DB9 (2004 – 2008) Battery Cable Safety Recall Action RA-18-0026

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice13 Comments

Aston Martin has initiated a recall of about 1,953 DB9’s and DBS’s from model years 2004 through 2008 that were sold in the United States.  In just the right combination of unlikely circumstances the right side seat (passenger side) can impinge on the main battery feed cable, possibly wearing it out and could cause a short potentially leading to a fire.  My DB9 happens to be one of the cars caught up in the recall, so I thought I would take the time to share what I’ve learned.

“Unlikely”, “Can”, “Possibly”, “Could”, “Potentially”.  It’s really unlikely it would happen to your car, but the mere fact it could means you should follow up and get your car fixed to maintain its value (and your personal safety). Continue reading “Aston Martin DB9 (2004 – 2008) Battery Cable Safety Recall Action RA-18-0026” →

Getting and Installing New Tires on your Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To3 Comments

It doesn’t matter if your DB9 is a daily driver, track day star or a garage queen, eventually you’ll have to change your tires.  They will either wear out or get too old and become unsafe.  I use my car as a daily driver, and after about 4 years, 15,000 miles and 4 track days it was time to replace them.

Which Tires?

I did my research about my replacement tire options, and I’ve written that up in another article where I share what I learned (I suggest you check it out here).  In summary I decided to get a set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4S in the original sizes.  This article covers what I did after that decision. Continue reading “Getting and Installing New Tires on your Aston Martin DB9” →

Tire Options for an Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To24 Comments

The tires on your DB9 will need replaced eventually.  You either put enough miles on them that they wear out, or if they get old enough the rubber breaks down and it becomes a safety issue.  I’ve written a bunch about tire before, including how to inspect them for wear or age (check out the article here).

When the time comes to replace them, the question usually arises “with what”.  A few pieces of good news here.  We have options and they aren’t insanely expensive.

Worn out Bridgestone

I’ve changed the tires twice on my 2005 DB9 so far.  When I purchased the car in 2013 it still had the original factory shipped Bridgestone with a 2004 date code, they were 9 years old and cracking.  I replaced them with a new set of the same Bridgestone tires.   Fast forward 15,000 miles and 4 years and I’d worn those out, and figured I’d try a set of the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S.

When I looked into the options, here is what I learned…. Continue reading “Tire Options for an Aston Martin DB9” →

Installing the Passenger Side Instrument Dash Panels in an Aston Martin DB9 or DBS

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How ToLeave a comment

If you’ve taken out your passenger side instrument dash panels in your DB9 (check out my article on how to do this) you were probably dealing with one of a few possible problems:

Whatever your challenge, once the panels are ready to put back in you want to do it right.  This article will cover the details about getting them back into position properly. Continue reading “Installing the Passenger Side Instrument Dash Panels in an Aston Martin DB9 or DBS” →

Installing the Driver Side Instrument Dash Panels in an Aston Martin DB9 or DBS

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To2 Comments

If you’ve taken out your drivers side instrument dash panels in your DB9 (check out my article on how to do this) you were probably dealing with one of a few possible problems:

Whatever your challenge, once the panels are ready to put back in you want to do it right.  This article will cover the details about getting them back into position properly. Continue reading “Installing the Driver Side Instrument Dash Panels in an Aston Martin DB9 or DBS” →

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

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To2 Comments

In my previous article I explained how to carefully remove the A Pillar Interior Trim Cover (a.k.a. the Cant Rail) from a DB9.  I was doing this as part of the process to repair the sagging headliner.  With my headliner repaired and reinstalled, it’s now time to put the A Pillar Covers back in place. Continue reading “Installing the A Pillar Interior Trim Cover (Cant Rail) in an Aston Martin DB9 or DBS” →

How to Reinstall the Headliner in an Aston Martin DB9 or DBS

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How ToLeave a comment

The most exciting part of fixing the sagging headliner in my DB9 was finally getting to the point where I could reinstall it.  The process isn’t difficult if you just undertake it carefully one step at a time. Continue reading “How to Reinstall the Headliner in an Aston Martin DB9 or DBS” →

Repairing a Damaged Dash Instrument Panel in and Aston Martin DB9 or DBS

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How ToLeave a comment

When I removed the lower drivers side dash instrument panel I discovered that two of the snap-in connectors were broken off (probably thanks to the DPO – Damn Previous Owner).  I was taking the panel off while I was working on repairing the Sagging Headliner in my car (read all about it in this series of articles).

The broken connectors are a white plastic item, glued to the smooth back of the panel, and covered with a metal spring clip.  They are designed to insert into a mating socket on the dash structure, and grip and hold the panel tight.   When I removed the panel I noticed the clips were sheared off (missing) but immediately found them still stuck in the mating socket.  I used a pair of needle nose pliers to gently tug the snapped off clip out of the socket without damaging it further. Continue reading “Repairing a Damaged Dash Instrument Panel in and Aston Martin DB9 or DBS” →

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” →