double post woops. <snip>
Help with DIY's, Fogs and Drums to Rotor and more.
Hey guys, I am fairly new to posting here. Have been lurking for just a little bit. My GF owns a 2013 Chevy Cruze LS, has basically no features which sucks but it's a pretty reliable car. Heck I'd buy one turboed lol.
For a while I have been wanting to do a few things to her car, her mom was being cheap so the only option she got was lock lugs for some reason....anyway. I have been wanting to get her fog lights due to the area we live in, and it looks like I found the DIY here which is nice:
http://www.cruzetalk.com/forum/145-...ruze-fog-light-install-warning-lots-pics.html
But is there a kit number/part number that anybody knows I will need to order? I'm going to try and shop around to get the best deal.
Also, I hate the fact that she has rear drums. I've never owned a car myself with drums so really have no idea how to deal with them.
I was wondering if there is a DIY or does anybody know the parts I would need to swap this to caliper/rotor? (other than the obvious rear calipers, rotors, pads). Do I need different brake lines? different hub...? I really don't know.
Last but not least, other than needing to fix some suspension/alignment issues, a sensor malfunction and some 60K maintenance. At some point she got a dent in the side of the door. It's a little deep for a dent puller it seems. However it doesn't look like there was or would be any paint damage. I am looking for help on removing the door panel, traditionally I am pretty bad at removing door panels and often end up breaking something.
Something that would help I guess is a Factory Service Manual, any of these floating around for free? Most cars I have owned there was a PDF FSM that some company put together and provided for free that was equal to or greater than the Haynes manual.
I hope to learn a lot about her car and how to improve it/fix things. I've been working on all of my own cars for about 3 years now and know my way around them for the most part.
For a while I have been wanting to do a few things to her car, her mom was being cheap so the only option she got was lock lugs for some reason....anyway. I have been wanting to get her fog lights due to the area we live in, and it looks like I found the DIY here which is nice:
http://www.cruzetalk.com/forum/145-...ruze-fog-light-install-warning-lots-pics.html
But is there a kit number/part number that anybody knows I will need to order? I'm going to try and shop around to get the best deal.
Also, I hate the fact that she has rear drums. I've never owned a car myself with drums so really have no idea how to deal with them.
I was wondering if there is a DIY or does anybody know the parts I would need to swap this to caliper/rotor? (other than the obvious rear calipers, rotors, pads). Do I need different brake lines? different hub...? I really don't know.
Last but not least, other than needing to fix some suspension/alignment issues, a sensor malfunction and some 60K maintenance. At some point she got a dent in the side of the door. It's a little deep for a dent puller it seems. However it doesn't look like there was or would be any paint damage. I am looking for help on removing the door panel, traditionally I am pretty bad at removing door panels and often end up breaking something.
Something that would help I guess is a Factory Service Manual, any of these floating around for free? Most cars I have owned there was a PDF FSM that some company put together and provided for free that was equal to or greater than the Haynes manual.
I hope to learn a lot about her car and how to improve it/fix things. I've been working on all of my own cars for about 3 years now and know my way around them for the most part.
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
You can get aftermarket and OEM fog light kits on Amazon and Ebay. You can also get the OEM kit on GM parts sites like gmpartsdirect.com. I got my fog light kit from the dealer. It was part number 95248415. Not sure if it is the same kit for your Cruze, but you can ask your dealer to look up the correct part number for you.
Rear drums are actually pretty good and should last a long time. I doubt that you would notice any improvement in braking by switching to disks. Some people are intimidate by drums because there are a couple springs and clips, but the shoes are actually pretty easy to change. There are a ton of videos online that show how to do it correctly. It doesn't take much longer than changing pads on disk brakes. It is important to understand that the drum brakes are automatically adjusted every time you pull the parking brake lever. There is a thread on this forum that explains how to adjust them manually.
Do a Google search for the door panel. There are literally dozens of videos that show how to do it. Here is one I found for you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jv4U_67auzQ
The Cruze service manual recommends replacing the plastic panel clips when you remove the door panel. Most people don't. I decided to try it, and I noticed that the panel is tighter and doesn't rattle as much with new clips. You can get them cheap on Amazon. There are two types used in the Cruze door panels
Yellow clips: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007AYCVD8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Grey clips: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007AYCV92/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
For the dent, I recommend calling a local paintless dent repair person. They do a great job.
Rear drums are actually pretty good and should last a long time. I doubt that you would notice any improvement in braking by switching to disks. Some people are intimidate by drums because there are a couple springs and clips, but the shoes are actually pretty easy to change. There are a ton of videos online that show how to do it correctly. It doesn't take much longer than changing pads on disk brakes. It is important to understand that the drum brakes are automatically adjusted every time you pull the parking brake lever. There is a thread on this forum that explains how to adjust them manually.
Do a Google search for the door panel. There are literally dozens of videos that show how to do it. Here is one I found for you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jv4U_67auzQ
The Cruze service manual recommends replacing the plastic panel clips when you remove the door panel. Most people don't. I decided to try it, and I noticed that the panel is tighter and doesn't rattle as much with new clips. You can get them cheap on Amazon. There are two types used in the Cruze door panels
Yellow clips: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007AYCVD8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Grey clips: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007AYCV92/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
For the dent, I recommend calling a local paintless dent repair person. They do a great job.
As far as the rear drums they are pretty good they typically just need to be adjusted as they don't self adjust well. Take the drums off and using a screw driver move the star wheel up a few clicks or at least until drum tight again and you should be good for a while. I have done this on my Eco with Drums every 10K since I bought back in 2013. See the links above for the fog lights.
As far as the rear drums they are pretty good they typically just need to be adjusted as they don't self adjust well. Take the drums off and using a screw driver move the star wheel up a few clicks or at least until drum tight again and you should be good for a while. I have done this on my Eco with Drums every 10K since I bought back in 2013. See the links above for the fog lights.
You can get aftermarket and OEM fog light kits on Amazon and Ebay. You can also get the OEM kit on GM parts sites like gmpartsdirect.com. I got my fog light kit from the dealer. It was part number 95248415. Not sure if it is the same kit for your Cruze, but you can ask your dealer to look up the correct part number for you.
Rear drums are actually pretty good and should last a long time. I doubt that you would notice any improvement in braking by switching to disks. Some people are intimidate by drums because there are a couple springs and clips, but the shoes are actually pretty easy to change. There are a ton of videos online that show how to do it correctly. It doesn't take much longer than changing pads on disk brakes. It is important to understand that the drum brakes are automatically adjusted every time you pull the parking brake lever. There is a thread on this forum that explains how to adjust them manually.
Do a Google search for the door panel. There are literally dozens of videos that show how to do it. Here is one I found for you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jv4U_67auzQ
The Cruze service manual recommends replacing the plastic panel clips when you remove the door panel. Most people don't. I decided to try it, and I noticed that the panel is tighter and doesn't rattle as much with new clips. You can get them cheap on Amazon. There are two types used in the Cruze door panels
Yellow clips: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007AYCVD8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Grey clips: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007AYCV92/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
For the dent, I recommend calling a local paintless dent repair person. They do a great job.
Thanks to the both of you about the drums, maybe I will just keep them then. They are definitely due to be tightened, and I should actually probably replace the shoes.
And I like the OEM look of the fogs, but online it says they are discontinued, guess I will be calling the dealer then otherwise eBay it is and hope they are legit.
Thanks for all the links as well
Glad I could help with the drums. I noticed just like you the car was lacking on the braking and didn't even think about adjusting them myself until I read about it here some time ago. http://www.cruzetalk.com/forum/25-gen1-service-issues/9138-drum-brake-adjustment-issues.html Then I was like wow where did that come from. Like most I "presumed" the drums would adjust well themselves after all it is a new car: Right and never really had a problem before with drums so why now? Now I found a good set of ceramic pads on the front and no more braking problems.
I just got a Cruze diesel last month, and decided it needed fog lights as well, both for looks and function. While searching, I scored a factory kit with switch, harness and lights on ebay for $120. Haven't put them on yet, will probably be a winter project.
I also wanted to mention if you're thinking about switching to rear disc brakes, you should see if it requires a different proportioning or ABS valve. I don't know myself, maybe someone else can advise. It would probably be a large addition to the project.
I also wanted to mention if you're thinking about switching to rear disc brakes, you should see if it requires a different proportioning or ABS valve. I don't know myself, maybe someone else can advise. It would probably be a large addition to the project.
Care to share the eBay seller? I am only finding them for $180I just got a Cruze diesel last month, and decided it needed fog lights as well, both for looks and function. While searching, I scored a factory kit with switch, harness and lights on ebay for $120. Haven't put them on yet, will probably be a winter project.
I also wanted to mention if you're thinking about switching to rear disc brakes, you should see if it requires a different proportioning or ABS valve. I don't know myself, maybe someone else can advise. It would probably be a large addition to the project.
Seller was Buydiscountparts. I think it was a one-time deal. I do see one today from a different seller for $150, which isn't bad.
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
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