New updates and tutorials on Reatta Owners Journal

[Ronnie]

Several tutorials have been added to Reatta Owners Journal. A list of them can be found here:

Updates To Reatta Owners Journal

As new tutorials are added I will update this list.

I would like to take this opportunity to invite everyone here to join Reatta Owners Journal's Buick Reatta Forum if you haven't already done so.

(Posts can also be made to the forum there without registering.)

[handmedownreatta]

ronnie.i took a few pics while changing my front hub.do you want them?

[Ronnie]

ronnie.i took a few pics while changing my front hub.do you want them?

Sure. I'm always looking for good photos to use in a tutorial.

[Guest steveskyhawk]

Ronnie,

Will you please remove the Headlight Bellcrank Repair tutorial. This is a real bad repair technique. I have had many people try this repair with no success. These people often end up needing a new headlight motor because the set screw damages the output shaft.

[Ronnie]

Ronnie,

Will you please remove the Headlight Bellcrank Repair tutorial. This is a real bad repair technique. I have had many people try this repair with no success. These people often end up needing a new headlight motor because the set screw damages the output shaft.

The link you provided is invalid. I assume you are referring to this tutorial:

Headlight Bellcrank Repair - Reatta Owners Journal

Steve you have requested that I do this before and the answer is the same. No, it will stay until I receive complaints from someone who has actually had a problem. So far I've had no complaints. I ask that anyone who has had a problem that resulted from using this tutorial to please post your experience here or contact me directly. OR Steve if you will give me the names of those who had problems I will personally contact them.

I have been running bellcranks with set screws in them in my Reatta headlight assembly for nearly the entire time I have owned it. I've had my Reatta since 2007. I didn't write that tutorial or take the photos. I only made the instructions easier to follow. But... I can tell you from my personal experience that it does work when done properly.

The fact is anyone can half-ass anything and have problems due to shoddy work. One of the first things the tutorial states is:

"These instructions should only be used by someone experienced in using hand tools and understands how to take the proper steps to protect themselves from person injury. Use these instructions at your own risk!" I give visitors to my website credit for being smart enough to heed that warning. There are also disclaimer & warning notices prominently displayed on my website advising visitors against tackling projects that they cannot complete safely and correctly. That is about all I can do if I'm going to have a website to help other Reatta owners repair their cars.

The tutorial is on my website to help anyone repair their headlights that may not have the financial means to buy new headlight repair kits. That is the purpose of my website... to help people whenever I can.

[Barney Eaton]

I think Steve is suggesting you remove only the DIY "set screw" repair, not the entire repair information.

I would suggest you modify it with a warning, there are also people putting pins thru the arm and shaft (like a Corvette) and others that continue to use J B Weld which works fine for a week or so. I would suggest you list all the "wacky" methods, otherwise some new owner will think he has a new-better ideal.

One complaint I have with the "Barney crank'" write up is the impression that all my parts can miss the stop. What has historically happened is owners fail to completely seat the bellcrank on the shaft.....a snug fit between the two parts can cause the owner to stop turning the nut before the part is seated. If not seated, my part can miss the stop, but that rarely happens and if the owner has a problem I will replace the part.

[Guest steveskyhawk]

Barney is correct. Besides the phone calls and unnecessary motor replacements I see many Reattas in the wrecking yards with wacky (failed) headlight repairs. With the proper parts the "Reatta Headlight Repair" problem is solved. I just hate to see people led down the garden path with the wacky fixes of 10 years ago prior to the development of good replacement parts.

[handmedownreatta]

could you pm me your email or how you want them.are you on broadband so i can send full size pics?

[Ronnie]

could you pm me your email or how you want them.are you on broadband so i can send full size pics?

PM sent

[Guest steveskyhawk]

Ronnie,

I just read over the updated tutortials on your website and found the one one on converting 6 to 16 way seats incomplete. If you add the following text it will be complete:

Re: Exchanging 6 way for 16 way seats<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

<!-- google_ad_section_start -->To properly complete the job of upgrading a Reatta to dual 16 way seats one must obtain the "thigh recline, lumbar" bezel for the passenger seat. If you use a standard left seat bezel it will be upside down. I have seen 3 cars with the rare right side 16 way seat and did salvage the bezels.<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

[Ronnie]

could you pm me your email or how you want them.are you on broadband so i can send full size pics?

I received your emails with the photos. Thank You!