Just wondering…
Discussion
Does anyone think Aston Martin purposely designs/builds cars to prevent the home mechanic from servicing or repairing their own cars? As an example if irt wasn’t for the torque tube and all you needed to do was unbolt the drive shaft. How many would replace their own clutch? In the USA there is Kentucky Clutch who can rebuild the whole assembly for around $1200 US. They use carbon fiber plate material. Some say it is the last clutch you will ever need.
Needing a hoist to do most work from underneath again cost prohibitive.
Needing a hoist to do most work from underneath again cost prohibitive.
Reynardff1600 said:
Does anyone think Aston Martin purposely designs/builds cars to prevent the home mechanic from servicing or repairing their own cars?
No. Home mechanics don't even feature in the design discussions, whereas the Aston Service department do. They do try to limit the use of special tools where they can. There are some service compromises that are made to preserve the Styling and/or engineering intent, but they will change designs if Service complain.It is not that they design/build cars that the home DIY cannot service. It's that AM's service protocol does not make replacement parts readily available to the aftermarket, only the dealer networks, nor do they make specs readily available.
To test this out - go to any popular aftermarket parts suppliers. Find simple replacement parts like
Brake pads
filters
starters
alternators
Trans parts (simple common stuff like filter changes for a ZF8HPxx)
etc.
This is on the latest platforms such as the DB11/12 circas and related vantages, DBXs; not necessarily the older platforms (BC cat is out of the bag on those earlier models. They are old enough that AM is no longer interested in servicing them).
A simple example - on my DB11 there are no aftermarket brakes available at parts stores. However, AM did not have special Brembo brakes built for these cars. Instead, like many mfgrs, they went to the Brembo catalog and picked existing products for these cars. BUT AM WILL NOT DISCLOSE THOSE PRODUCTS.
It took some serious investigating when I found out that on my DB11 V12, the rear brake platform AM chose is the same system Chevrolet chose for the 2020-25 Corvette C8 rear brakes, as well as several other cars such as the Cadillac HP line of cars. Once I knew that, I had NO PROBLEM servicing the brakes on my DB11 as multiple sources make brake pads for these Brembo sets.
Air filters on my car are NOT specified by AM (in other words dealer only) yet I researched and found these are the same filters that fit a circa 2005 BMW 750i as well as some years of RR cars. There are a dozen mfgrs of air filters that fit if you know what AM used.
It is duable, just takes a lot of research.
To test this out - go to any popular aftermarket parts suppliers. Find simple replacement parts like
Brake pads
filters
starters
alternators
Trans parts (simple common stuff like filter changes for a ZF8HPxx)
etc.
This is on the latest platforms such as the DB11/12 circas and related vantages, DBXs; not necessarily the older platforms (BC cat is out of the bag on those earlier models. They are old enough that AM is no longer interested in servicing them).
A simple example - on my DB11 there are no aftermarket brakes available at parts stores. However, AM did not have special Brembo brakes built for these cars. Instead, like many mfgrs, they went to the Brembo catalog and picked existing products for these cars. BUT AM WILL NOT DISCLOSE THOSE PRODUCTS.
It took some serious investigating when I found out that on my DB11 V12, the rear brake platform AM chose is the same system Chevrolet chose for the 2020-25 Corvette C8 rear brakes, as well as several other cars such as the Cadillac HP line of cars. Once I knew that, I had NO PROBLEM servicing the brakes on my DB11 as multiple sources make brake pads for these Brembo sets.
Air filters on my car are NOT specified by AM (in other words dealer only) yet I researched and found these are the same filters that fit a circa 2005 BMW 750i as well as some years of RR cars. There are a dozen mfgrs of air filters that fit if you know what AM used.
It is duable, just takes a lot of research.
Edited by skhannes on Sunday 22 December 20:06
I have home serviced and repaired my early DB9 in my garage for years and I haven't found anything I cannot do.
Since getting the car i have done -
Serviced the car every year, there are after market parts for all parts except the oil filter.
Replaced the radiator, found the company AM use to manufacture their rads.
Removed the rear subframe, suspension parts etc for a refurb.
Replaced brake pads and discs, aftermarket for both.
Replaced shockers - now this is a problem, the dynamics dampers are hellish expensive and not easily to come across.
Replaced coil packs/plugs, the manifold gaskets are expensive, no aftermarket available.
Plus this year replaced the engine to a newer AM09 engine, all fairly easy to do, although I had to install a 2 post lift, (expensive) and build some trolleys for the engine/transmission to rest on, no special tools involved.
Since getting the car i have done -
Serviced the car every year, there are after market parts for all parts except the oil filter.
Replaced the radiator, found the company AM use to manufacture their rads.
Removed the rear subframe, suspension parts etc for a refurb.
Replaced brake pads and discs, aftermarket for both.
Replaced shockers - now this is a problem, the dynamics dampers are hellish expensive and not easily to come across.
Replaced coil packs/plugs, the manifold gaskets are expensive, no aftermarket available.
Plus this year replaced the engine to a newer AM09 engine, all fairly easy to do, although I had to install a 2 post lift, (expensive) and build some trolleys for the engine/transmission to rest on, no special tools involved.
+1 on the DB9 DIY experience.
Except for coding the roof module, I haven't found anything on the DB9 that can't be done at home (to include engine out/rebuild). It does inspire some sleuthing for parts, but as noted, the vast majority of the parts are available. And for those that are AM specific, the prices are what you would expect given the original cost of the car & volume produced.
Except for coding the roof module, I haven't found anything on the DB9 that can't be done at home (to include engine out/rebuild). It does inspire some sleuthing for parts, but as noted, the vast majority of the parts are available. And for those that are AM specific, the prices are what you would expect given the original cost of the car & volume produced.
skhannes said:
It is not that they design/build cars that the home DIY cannot service. It's that AM's service protocol does not make replacement parts readily available to the aftermarket, only the dealer networks, nor do they make specs readily available.
To test this out - go to any popular aftermarket parts suppliers. Find simple replacement parts like
Brake pads
filters
starters
alternators
Trans parts (simple common stuff like filter changes for a ZF8HPxx)
etc.
This is on the latest platforms such as the DB11/12 circas and related vantages, DBXs; not necessarily the older platforms (BC cat is out of the bag on those earlier models. They are old enough that AM is no longer interested in servicing them).
A simple example - on my DB11 there are no aftermarket brakes available at parts stores. However, AM did not have special Brembo brakes built for these cars. Instead, like many mfgrs, they went to the Brembo catalog and picked existing products for these cars. BUT AM WILL NOT DISCLOSE THOSE PRODUCTS.
It took some serious investigating when I found out that on my DB11 V12, the rear brake platform AM chose is the same system Chevrolet chose for the 2020-25 Corvette C8 rear brakes, as well as several other cars such as the Cadillac HP line of cars. Once I knew that, I had NO PROBLEM servicing the brakes on my DB11 as multiple sources make brake pads for these Brembo sets.
Air filters on my car are NOT specified by AM (in other words dealer only) yet I researched and found these are the same filters that fit a circa 2005 BMW 750i as well as some years of RR cars. There are a dozen mfgrs of air filters that fit if you know what AM used.
It is duable, just takes a lot of research.
I looked for brake pads and found this on my first try:To test this out - go to any popular aftermarket parts suppliers. Find simple replacement parts like
Brake pads
filters
starters
alternators
Trans parts (simple common stuff like filter changes for a ZF8HPxx)
etc.
This is on the latest platforms such as the DB11/12 circas and related vantages, DBXs; not necessarily the older platforms (BC cat is out of the bag on those earlier models. They are old enough that AM is no longer interested in servicing them).
A simple example - on my DB11 there are no aftermarket brakes available at parts stores. However, AM did not have special Brembo brakes built for these cars. Instead, like many mfgrs, they went to the Brembo catalog and picked existing products for these cars. BUT AM WILL NOT DISCLOSE THOSE PRODUCTS.
It took some serious investigating when I found out that on my DB11 V12, the rear brake platform AM chose is the same system Chevrolet chose for the 2020-25 Corvette C8 rear brakes, as well as several other cars such as the Cadillac HP line of cars. Once I knew that, I had NO PROBLEM servicing the brakes on my DB11 as multiple sources make brake pads for these Brembo sets.
Air filters on my car are NOT specified by AM (in other words dealer only) yet I researched and found these are the same filters that fit a circa 2005 BMW 750i as well as some years of RR cars. There are a dozen mfgrs of air filters that fit if you know what AM used.
It is duable, just takes a lot of research.
Edited by skhannes on Sunday 22 December 20:06
Scrump said:
Appears this is a UK site. Try this at a US parts store where I live. One of the most popular online parts stores in the US Rock Auto:
For brake parts - lists brake fluid ONLY. No options for any pads, rotors, etc.
For Cooling System - lists Antifreeze as the only parts available
For Engine, the entire engine, only lists a crankshaft seal (which is usually wrong), oil and a filter with a strange name of various mfgr and out of stock (eternally out of stock).
Edited by skhannes on Wednesday 25th December 11:14
Edited by skhannes on Wednesday 25th December 11:15
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