VX Acclaim & questions.. *many*

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Hello all,

1. I'm sure this has been talked about to death but i'm really confused, I'm very intrested in replacing the current air con module with a Climate Control Module , Now i've heard it's a big job but can it be done and what do I need for it? (I would want a professional doing it as opposed to me)
edit something like this: http://www.justcomm.com.au/products....FF7BF93&full=1

2.
My breaks are good but, after a massive service @ K-Mart the front brakes were replaced and now they are making a squeaking sound thats just slowly getting to me, What types of brake pads should i get installed in the car?

3. The seats in the VX are getting quit warn and I was wondering if anyone knew a place in sydney that would be able to repair my rear seats and remake my front ones. I know their is one off the princess highway but i went their today and they were shut.

4. Fog Lights: Now this is confusing the crap out of me. My car being a vx the front bumper bar has 2 inserts that i think are for fog lights (i dont have the ss bumper) now i'm wondering what type of fog lights i need to get and where to obtain them from, I assume Holden is very expensive for this and don't exactly want to go with them.

5. Engine: The K-mart that i normally go to to take my car apparently love working on it and have commented that it's the cleanest holden engine they have ever come across, I do enjoy driving my car and hard occasionally, it's just ticked over to 198,000km, at what point is it advisable to do a complete engine rebuild? and is their anything that I should keep a close eye on after the 200,000km mark? (I normally use high grade shell oil and petrol v-power when i can)

6. Interior: I was wondering if anyone knew a place that sells specific parts interior wise, I'm fanatical about things being as new , I dont mind if they are used parts just looking as new.

That would be it for now, thank you very much

[Sabbath']

Hello all,

2.
My breaks are good but, after a massive service @ K-Mart the front brakes were replaced and now they are making a squeaking sound thats just slowly getting to me, What types of brake pads should i get installed in the car?

Does it squeak when the brakes are applied? Are you sure that it is the pad making the noise and not a dust shield which has been bent out of shape?

3. The seats in the VX are getting quit warn and I was wondering if anyone knew a place in sydney that would be able to repair my rear seats and remake my front ones. I know their is one off the princess highway but i went their today and they were shut.

As you mention later on. Do you need them repaired or would it not be cheaper to go to say a wreckers and pick up some seats of the same colour and install them? Rather than re-trimming what you have. Might be a more $$ effective option to consider.

4. Fog Lights: Now this is confusing the crap out of me. My car being a vx the front bumper bar has 2 inserts that i think are for fog lights (i dont have the ss bumper) now i'm wondering what type of fog lights i need to get and where to obtain them from, I assume Holden is very expensive for this and don't exactly want to go with them.

Companies like NARVA might make fog lights to fit the shape. It's also a matter of the wiring and switches aswell.



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Does it squeak when the brakes are applied? Are you sure that it is the pad making the noise and not a dust shield which has been bent out of shape?

Now that i'm not sure of, before i took it in to K-Mart Auto it was fine however the pads needed to be changed. When my dad took his VT Commodore to another K-Mark auto service to change all the break pads it did the same, so it's a reoccurring thing, thats the only reason why i thought it could be the pads.

As you mention later on. Do you need them repaired or would it not be cheaper to go to say a wreckers and pick up some seats of the same colour and install them? Rather than re-trimming what you have. Might be a more $$ effective option to consider.

I havent done an extensive look around but i'm yet to come across the type of seats used in my car. I would rather have it re trimmed because it'll return to the "as new" state, I am happy to spend a little money on the car.

Companies like NARVA might make fog lights to fit the shape. It's also a matter of the wiring and switches aswell.

Thank you for that, i've sent an email off to them as i have no clue which one to buy, hopefully they will be able to locate one for me

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Thanks heaps!

edit: i just replied in the quote

[rch-13z]

3. Unless you've got leather it would be cheaper to go to a wrecker & pickup a clean replacement. From memory I paid $150 for a matching seat...

Actually need to replace it again soon... lol

5. Keep an eye on your oil & water levels, but I rebuild shouldnt be required for a long time yet, my mates VT is @ 440,000 on the original motor and box... So as long as you service it regularly then they keep humming along... Mine is currently sitting on 212,XXX so I am in the same boat.

Good luck!

[jjFarking]

There's a good chance that the squeal from your brakes is from the type of pads used.
I'm currently using Bendix Heavy Duty pads for the front (DB1331HD) and the ceramics on the rear (DB1332GCT) - they don't make any noise at all & are hard-wearing and relatively dust free.
There are other brands that may be better suited to your style of driving (do a search through the forum for brake pads), but what I use is more than enough for every-day use (just don't want to race too often - it's a street car after all ).
Factory standard, VTs/VXs are known to squeal somewhat

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jjFarking: Thank you for that, come to think of it the pads used on the front are letting of large amounts of dust on to my front rims.
I have to admit i do a lot of hard breaking sometimes but even then the pads I had before (i wish i knew what brand) were almost totally dust free.
I'll buy the same pads as you and get them installed and see how i go.


rch-13z: Thank you for that, see my problem is that the actual seat is fine it's just the cloth thats worn but i see what you mean, I'll take a look around and see what i can find.

[Mick1988]

3. The seats in the VX are getting quit warn and I was wondering if anyone knew a place in sydney that would be able to repair my rear seats and remake my front ones. I know their is one off the princess highway but i went their today and they were shut.

6. Interior: I was wondering if anyone knew a place that sells specific parts interior wise, I'm fanatical about things being as new , I dont mind if they are used parts just looking as new.

That would be it for now, thank you very much

Look in the paper for someone wrecking. Save the middle man making extra cash off you. I've just looked in the Quokka right now and someone is selling an entire interior from a VX Acclaim for $200!

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Hey, could you please send me a PM with a link to that? What is Quokka exactly?

[Mick1988]

PMed you the link. Quokka is a classifieds paper in Perth. I think you guys have the Trading Post or something similar over there.

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So does anyone else have any more input on this?

[Dayvo]

Try putting some anti squeal compound on the back of the inner pads ,that might help the squeal .It is a bright orange paste and sticks like baby crap to a blanket so be careful As for the driving lights , i don't think Holdens made them to suit that type of bar.
but as said before you could buy some aftermarket lights .

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I actually have to take it back to K-Mart tomorrow as it's about to have it's 200,000km service so i guess i will ask them why that is happening.

[Fletch_QLD]

1. I'm sure this has been talked about to death but i'm really confused, I'm very intrested in replacing the current air con module with a Climate Control Module , Now i've heard it's a big job but can it be done and what do I need for it? (I would want a professional doing it as opposed to me)

Yep - been talked to death that one. I think pretty much everyone that has bought a base commodore since the VR has thought of upgrading to climate. Some people have done it - hats off to them! It's a HUGE job. Budget $500 for all the parts and $1000+ labour if someone else does the work. Full dash removal and refit alone is $400+ labour.

You need more than just the controller panel, you need all the sensors that go with it, and you need to replace the heater core and box as it's different also need a different fan speed controller and all the vac lines that control the flaps. Lot's of wiring. Full loom swap and BCM.

If you are still keen search the forum - people that have done it have shared info (most reckon they wouldn't do it again).

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yea that doesn't exactly sound very easy haha, i dont think i will be attempting that one :-p

I have another question to annoy all of you with, well 2 actually.

1. Map lights: Now if i wanted to get these installed above the doors where the gaps are, is this possible? What exactly would i need to order and how much would it roughly cost me? I took a look around ebay last night and i couldn't find anything.

2. Changing the internal light: If i wanted to change the standard internal light that is located in the ceiling of the car to one from a Calais or Statesman would it fit? there is one or 2 on ebay so i mean i would love to swap it for a much better one.

Thanks heaps for all the replies.