Category: How To

Changing the Front Position Lamp Bulb in an Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To4 Comments

I hadn’t even noticed that my DB9 had one of these until a reader of this blog asked me how to change it out.   In each headlight cluster there is a small ‘Position Lamp’ that is always on when the lights are on.  You can see it here in this picture.  If you peer through the glass when the lights are off, you’ll notice the bulb is actually BLUE, even though when it’s on it appears mostly white.  Like any bulb they can burn out, and eventually one of mine did.   Is it the end of the world?  No, but one you notice it all I can think of is that it’s a one eyed pirate.   Changing this bulb isn’t trivial.   As you can see it’s right at the very front most area of the headlight pod and there is no easy access to it.   As you will learn in this article, it’s 99% prep getting to it, and 1% changing it.  Read on to learn how. Continue reading “Changing the Front Position Lamp Bulb in an Aston Martin DB9” →

How to Replace the Wheel Center Caps in an Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To2 Comments

Rolling along slow in or out of the garage I could hear a quite ‘Rattle – Rattle – Rattle’ in my DB9.  Not like a loose nut and bolt, but a quieter shuffling rattle.  While I was washing the car one day I finally found the source – the Wheel Center Cap on one rim was loose, and could flop around making the noise.

Epoxy Repair to back of tabs. Yes, that is a Ford logo on there too.

The center caps are a beautiful painted piece with the Aston Martin wings on them, but they are still just made out of plastic.  They just press/snap fit into the center hole of each wheel.  13 years in the California sun and heat takes its toll, and the fingers on the back of the caps weren’t springy any more.  Each time the tires have to be changed they need to be removed, so that’s at least two or three times.  Worse yet, I eventually discovered the one in question had been damaged, and a quick fix with some epoxy employed to hold the cracked tabs in place.  DPO (damn previous owner).

Changing them is a pretty simple task, and here’s how to do it. Continue reading “How to Replace the Wheel Center Caps in an Aston Martin DB9” →

Inspecting the Sway Bar/Anti-Roll Bar Bushings in an Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To2 Comments

Part of both the 1 year and 2 year annual service routines for your DB9 should be inspecting the suspension components.  The rubber bushings that hold the sway bar (a.k.a. anti-roll bar or stabilizer bar) in place can begin to wear out, and when they do your handling over bumps and in the corners can degrade.  Checking the bushings is easy enough once you have access. Continue reading “Inspecting the Sway Bar/Anti-Roll Bar Bushings in an Aston Martin DB9” →

Changing the Rear Sway Bar / Anti-Roll Bar Bushings in an Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How ToLeave a comment

If you’ve inspected your rear sway bar / anti-roll bar bushings in your DB9 and discovered they need changing (click here to learn how), this article is for you.  The good new is that the process is pretty simple once you have access to them, but take note below of the special tightening procedure.  Read on to learn how. Continue reading “Changing the Rear Sway Bar / Anti-Roll Bar Bushings in an Aston Martin DB9” →

Changing the Front Sway Bar / Anti-Roll Bar Bushings in an Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To2 Comments

In another article I have already written about my pursuit to find and repair a “Creak-Squeak” from the front suspension of my DB9 that was driving me nuts.  During the investigation of that issue (which ultimately required changing the Front Upper Control Arms), I wanted to be sure the squeak wasn’t coming from my front sway bar (anti-roll bar) bushing.  If you’ve inspected your bushings (click here to learn how) and they need changed, this article is for you.  The good new is that the process is pretty simple once you have access to them, but take note below of the special tightening procedure.  Read on to learn how. Continue reading “Changing the Front Sway Bar / Anti-Roll Bar Bushings in an Aston Martin DB9” →

Aston Martin V12 Engine Cylinder Numbering

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To3 Comments

There are 12 cylinders in the V12 under the hood of my 2005 Aston Martin DB9, but I couldn’t find any reference to tell me which cylinder was number 1, and which was number 12.   Does it criss-cross left to right, right to left, or something else?  I scoured the official Aston Martin Workshop Manual – nothing (which is just plain dumb since they reference cylinder numbers within the manual).  I asked on the usual online forums and got a variety of kind guesses from a few people trying to help, and at the same time heard a chorus of people asking the same question.  You know me, this set me on a mission to find out! Continue reading “Aston Martin V12 Engine Cylinder Numbering” →

Replacing the Front Suspension Upper Control Arm in an Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To15 Comments
Suspension creaking over speed bumps

Creak – Creak.  Squeak-Squeak.  When I’ve been driving my DB9 in cooler weather (less than 60°F or 15°C) whenever I would drive over a speed bump, curb or significant bump I would hear a creaking, squeaking noise coming from the front end.  It would happen any time the suspension would have to flex significantly.   While faint and rare at first, over a year or two it was a constant and annoying companion.

If your car is suffering from the same creaking/squeaking issue, or if you need to change your upper ball joint (which is part of the same assembly and not independently replaceable either) then this article will show you what tools and parts you need, and all the steps to change it.   Continue reading “Replacing the Front Suspension Upper Control Arm in an Aston Martin DB9” →

Replacing the Brake Pads in an Aston Martin DB9 or Vantage

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To8 Comments

The Brakes are arguably the most important part of your DB9.  Our lives depend on them working properly.   Inspecting their condition periodically is necessary to catch a developing condition before it degrades braking performance.

If you’ve inspected your Brakes in your DB9 (read my article about this) and discovered that you only need to change the brake pads (your rotors and wear sensors are still fine) the process of changing only the pads is pretty straight forward.   I think anyone comfortable working on their car can manage this without needing to take the car to a dealership. Continue reading “Replacing the Brake Pads in an Aston Martin DB9 or Vantage” →

Inspecting the Brakes in an Aston Martin DB9 or Vantage

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To16 Comments

Regularly inspecting the brakes on your DB9 should be part of your routine service, same as changing the oil.  I would suggest it’s a bad idea to “Forget about them until something breaks”.  In fact, this is so important it’s part of the official Aston Martin 1 year and 2 year service regimes.   We all grouse about the cost of dealer service, but the fact is part of that time (and $$$) is well spent inspecting things we might skip since we are uninformed.  If you are going to take care of your Aston yourself, this is a procedure you should get good at, you’ll be doing it each year.

I am doing this as part of my larger series on a complete brake service.   How do you know if you need a complete brake service?   You inspect your brakes and find something indicating it’s necessary.  This article will tell you how. Continue reading “Inspecting the Brakes in an Aston Martin DB9 or Vantage” →

Reinstalling the Leather Door Cap End Cap in an Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To7 Comments

Plunk.  Awww Crap!

End Cap showing 2 layers of old tape

Yet another tale of woe begins with my DB9.  One day when I rolled into the garage and parked, I opened my door, and then heard a faint “Plunk”.  Anyone that’s owned a British Car before knows that you need to get out and look around for what’s fallen off.  Sitting right there on my garage floor was a neat little do-dad wrapped in leather.   I quick look back up and at the car revealed that it had fallen off the end of the drivers door cap.   This little cap is designed as a finisher to hide one of the door card mounting screws.  It was held on by some double sided tape that gave up (much like the glue in my sagging headliner – read about that here).   Its an easy fix that anyone can undertake, and here’s how I did it. Continue reading “Reinstalling the Leather Door Cap End Cap in an Aston Martin DB9” →