I just picked up a 2004 sebring silver s2k with 5,000 miles. So far the car is great but I have a few concerns. First off there is a little "rattle or squeek" in the passenger side convertible top. Looks like in the main hinge in the top. It is more of an annoyance than anything because whenever you hit the smallest bump it makes a noise. Perhaps it needs lube....

Ok now on to the things that worry me. Front brakes squeek a lot, so I looked at the rotors and they have tiny gouges in them. Nothing big but compared to the rear rotors they are not near as smooth. Now the headlights each have a little yellow paint dot on them. Anyone have any idea what they are about? Bright yellow dots a little smaller than a dime and located on both front headlight housings (the main piece). Ok finally when I got a chance to wax that car this weekend, the front bumper/Clip/etc whatever you want to call it(big silver "body kit" type piece on the front is rougher than the rest of the body panels. It doesnt quite shine as much either, it seems as if the clearcoat isnt as good as the rest of the car. The hood and fenders are great but the front isnt as much. Did honda ever have issues with the s2k's with the front clearcoat???? I looked underneath the car and in the engine bay and everything appears to be great, all the lines match up, etc... Any help would be appreciated.

 

Does that mean a lip? If it does, then you most likely have a replica which are more common than you'd expect. My friend has one on his GPW s2k and you can't even tell the difference. Does it line up with the bumper? Is there a lot of space between the lip and the actual bumper? If it fits well enough, I would just have it professionally painted because that's the biggest issue with the replicas is fitment. If you have yellow spots on the front, I would assume that the previous owner had hit something...but then again there's a huge difference between paint from a yellow car that got on there, and paint from, say a yellow pole. You'll have to get a pic of that.

As far as the top, I'm assuming that you're talking about the strikers up top, where it latches on. If that's what it is, then I would just order new ones from Hardtopguy.com and you'll be set. They are about $50 I think with shipping included. I don't know why yours would be worn after 5,000 miles, but I guess anything is possible. I hope I have been some kind of help...I'm not an expert but many people have the same kind of issues that you're having all the time.

Good luck

 

Sorry I forgot about this. Remember that most rotors have to work well with the brake pads you're using. I've had issues before where my front or rear rotors had a different kind of pad and they squealed like hell. Make sure you have the right brake pads, and I would just have your rotors checked out.

 

By the front piece i mean the entire silver front "bumper"..(my car above)..Its stock I know and all the lines match up, but the clearcoat on it sucks and when rubbing your hand across it, it feels rough as opposed to the smooth feeling of the rest of the paint on the car.

As for the convertible joint making noise, its not the part that clips on in the front, its the next big set of hinges/joints back from the front.

 

Are you sure you don't have 3M protection on your bumper?

 

Hmm...very strange and unfortunately I don't have an answer for that, but I'm sure someone will. I can't see the yellow from here, but there's a lot you can't see in a picture from 10 feet away. I would honestly look into getting the entire bumper painted.

 

Even if it only has 5k miles, if it wasnt cared for well (in terms of cleaning) it could just be a lot of road debris particles embedded in the paint. Get a claybar kit and try it, see if it helps any.

*stealth edit* The bumper especially gets subjected to a lot more brute force from dust/rocks/etc while driving compared to any other body panel. That is most likely why it feels rough.

Check the Wash & Wax forum for all the info you need

 

 

I think that this might be the case. Sometimes the 3M clear bra can turn a yellowish color. That might also explain the feel vs the rest of the car. If you look at it closely can you see any lines where the clear bra stops on the hood?