General maintenance, fluid changes tech day, 4/18/09

H2o · 03-30-09, 04:33 PM

What: Safety check, general maintenance, fluid changes tech day

Where: Convenience Car Care, 9145 Centreville Rd, Manassas, VA
Welcome to Convenience Car Care Phone: (703) 330-2237
Here is a map in case you never have been. They are located behind the Bloom: http://www.conveniencecarcare.com/map.php

When: Saturday, April 18th, 2009. 7:30 till 5:00pm

Cost: $20 per person including breakfast and lunch. Pre-registration required (see below). You must be a member of CLCC if you want to participate in this event. If you have not yet paid your membership, the cost will be $45 for the event ($20 + $25 membership).

Please pay by credit card, Paypal, or personal check. To pay by Paypal or credit card, go to www.paypal.com and click the SEND MONEY link on the HOME tab. The club email is treasurer@clcc.org Please let us know when you have paid, especially as we get closer to the event. If you need to pay with personal checks please PM me or email for address to send. NO REFUNDS will be issued for no shows.

This is our first DIY/Tech day at Convenience who is hosting this event in their beautiful full service garage in Manassas. Convenience will provide 1 to 2 mechanics to demonstrate their 1 hour safety check they typically perform on vehicles. Then members will be free to put their trucks on lifts and perform the safety checks under the guidance of the Convenience staff. If members want to also perform fluid changes, this might be a good chance to do so.

Lifts will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis on the day of the event, giving priority to those who sign up first. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

Projects will be limited to the subject at hand. For this first tech day, we will not allow other projects unless pre-approved by the Tech Director. Please PM or email me with your project for review.

EVERYONE NEEDS TO BRING THEIR OWN TOOLS. If you need a specialty tool or forget a tool, the mechanics can provide those, but it is at their discretion since it is there personal tools. IF YOU REQUIRE CLUB Tools, Please let us know.

1. General information

a. Know your vehicle. New owners, establish what modifications have been made to your vehicles if not stock. What is missing. Find out what stock is to determine.
b. Torque settings (why important)
c. Shop manuals vs Haynes manuals
d. Taking stuff apart, use tools (digital camera before and during) to help with reassembly.
e. Manufacturer's recommended service schedule (daily drivers and mall crawlers)

2. Vehicle inspection.

a. Fluid Check: Motor oil, power steering fluid, manual transmission oil/auto transmission fluid, differential (x2) oil, Transfer case oil, brake fluid, coolant.
b. Suspension: bushings, general wear.
c. Steering components: Tie rod ends, rag joints, tolerences.
d. Drive train: Lubricate driveshafts. check for oil leaks.
e. Front axle: wheel/trunnion bearings wear and lubricate
f. Check for any oil leaks and coolant leaks. Keep your engine clean to spot potential leaks.
g. Brakes
e. Parking Brake

3. Tune up (will be covered if we have time)

a. Spark plugs, wires, distributor.
b. Adjusting valves F/2F, 3F, 22r, etc...
c. Carb
d. Timing

4. Engine check

a. Belts (condition and tension)
b. Coolant Hoses
c. Vacuum hoses

All fluids and parts must be purchased through Convenience Car Care. Convenience of course understands if you have a specialty fluid and/or part that they can not easily get and will make an exception. PLEASE contact Matt at Convenience, either call him (703 330 2237) or email him (unckruckss@comcast.net), to order parts or specialty fluids (they have regular fluids on hand in large quantities). They will extend a 10% discount to all CLCC members on parts and fluids. PLEASE NOTE that all parts need to be ordered by this Thursday. There is no disposal fees for fluids.

Convenience also offer fluid flushes (coolant, trany, etc..), alignments, and other services (additional charges will apply).

NOTE: Please watch this first post for any updates and changes.

Hope to see everyone there!

H2o · 04-02-09, 07:15 AM

Updated thread with info on how to pay.

Devilmans Hand · 04-02-09, 10:46 AM

is this the garage behind the Blooms on 28? I just happen to work right next door to it. Are vehicles limited to landcruisers, or can I also bring brand-x to work on as well?

Thornton · 04-02-09, 04:54 PM

for your 1st question That's the place. for your 2nd question ??????

H2o · 04-03-09, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Devilmans Hand

Are vehicles limited to landcruisers, or can I also bring brand-x to work on as well?

The BMW club has allowed other vehicles besides BMW so I suspect it would not be a problem. Actually, when I showed up, there was a Toyota Taco being worked on by a BMW club guy. However, I would like to get as many toyota's as possible, at least for the first event.

jmaiella · 04-03-09, 09:18 AM

RSVP'd and paid. I don't have any major issues - can stand an oil change. 80,000 miles on an '07 FJC, so I'd love the once-over and fluid check.

jmaiella · 04-03-09, 09:19 AM

[threadjack]

Ok, one more post and I get an avatar, so - sorry guys...

POST

[/threadjack]

H2o · 04-08-09, 03:48 PM

Bump, bump

fjman · 04-08-09, 06:00 PM

I'm going to be there. I'll paypal tommorrow

emorth · 04-10-09, 08:32 PM

I'll be there.
Ed

Devilmans Hand · 04-12-09, 08:41 AM

Think i'll check it out. will paypal shortly. For the prices of fluids, will there be any special deal or will the costs just be the regular shop prices? ill see if I can get a list on monday and post it up. Also, will any club or shop tools be available, or should I bring my own tools? besides the shop bays, two mechs for demo, and lifts what resources will be available to us? any shop disposal fees for fluids? BTW, recommend Tony's across 28 for lunch!
-Sam

H2o · 04-13-09, 09:40 AM

Great questions Devilmans Hand.

I just spoke to Matt at Convenience. He said to call him (703 330 2237) or email (unckruckss@comcast.net) him to order parts or specialty fluids (they have regular fluids on hand in large quantities). They will extend a 10% discount to all CLCC members on parts and fluids. PLEASE NOTE that all parts need to be ordered by this Thursday. There is no disposal fees for fluids.

EVERYONE NEEDS TO BRING THEIR OWN TOOLS. If you need a specialty tool or forget a tool, the mechanics can provide those, but it is at their discretion since it is there personal tools. IF YOU REQUIRE CLUB Tools, Please let us know.

Again, lunch (and breakfast) will be provided in your $20 fee. They generally grill some food out back but this will depend on how many people show up.

John Smith · 04-13-09, 10:49 AM

I am probably out for this tech day. The wife's 25 year HS reunion is this weekend and I'm pretty sure I am on the hook for all weekend festivities. If something changes I will be there.

StaleAle · 04-13-09, 08:42 PM

Received PayPal confirmation and will see you on Saturday!

StaleAle · 04-15-09, 08:52 PM

80K on an '07! You must be hitting Moab every other weekend!

jmaiella · 04-16-09, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StaleAle

80K on an '07! You must be hitting Moab every other weekend!

Sadly, more Beltway miles than I'd like. But she does more than her share of rough wheeling

.

H2o · 04-16-09, 07:05 AM

Looks like we are going to have a good turnout. Thanks to all that signed up and paid. I realize that there are a bunch of you that may just show up and that is fine, we will take your money

If you just show up, PLEASE let me know so I can get a rough idea of how many we will be. We also need to figure out who will need lifts and for how long.

I will be there early Saturday, we will have breakfast for you and coffee (all nice and fresh)

AND lunch will be provided.

Don't forget to bring:

-Your tools
-Your manuals and any research you have done for any repairs (reminder to contact me if you have any special work you are doing.)
-Cash or check for the event AND CLCC dues if you have not yet paid
-Direction on getting there

Here is a map in case you never have been. They are located behind the Bloom.: http://www.conveniencecarcare.com/map.php

Thanks

jmaiella · 04-16-09, 07:11 AM

I guess I can use a lift for an oil change (just to make it easier), but like I said - barring anything that might come up in the safety inspection - I don't have any issues.

Definitely want to check all the fluids, check how much I have left on my brakes, maybe rotate the tires, check my wheel bearings... think that's all.

H2o · 04-16-09, 07:18 AM

This first event is really geared toward making sure your vehicle is safe. After you have been wheeling, it is good to give your vehicle a good review to make sure all is good, and do a full review at least once a year.

fjman · 04-17-09, 01:00 PM

Since I have yet to paypal you the money (god, i forget these things...) I will just bring cash tommorrow morning. I'm looking forward to it. I just want to give the 60 a good look over and determine if its my axle seal thats leaking or my wheel cylinder..... I'd like to adjust my timing too. I wonder if they do inspections.... my sticker is almost dead.

H2o · 04-17-09, 01:16 PM

No problem.

So far we have 4 paid, plus three who RSVPed but have not yet paid (including myself). Anyone else?

Cruiser804 · 04-17-09, 08:49 PM

I am going to try an swing. But somehow I'm like forth string coach for my boy's soccer team and all of the 3 other coaches have better things to do. LOL

Probably won't be until 11 or 12.

I had such big plans.

jmaiella · 04-18-09, 03:50 PM

Thanks to everyone who came! Sorry mine turned into such a project - I really appreciate everybody's help.

I had to replace my wheel bearing (front passenger side), and it turned into a small ordeal.

jmaiella · 04-20-09, 06:22 AM

So, it was supposed to be an oil change and intense once over, to make sure everything is in place and proper working order.

Imagine my chagrin when my front passenger wheel had almost an inch of play in it when wiggled along the vertical axis. My wheel bearing was shot. And I'm 10K miles out of warranty.

Well, the guys at Convenience (and CLCC) were phenomenal. Matt ordered the wheel bearing, seal and stretch nut from Toyota parts and ran over to get it for me - I had the part, at cost, in 45 minutes. I knocked out my oil change while waiting.

Then Derek (one of their techs) saved my a$$ about a half dozen times. Man, it's a pain to swap a wheel bearing on these things.

First (of course) you pull the tire. Then remove the caliper and rotor. No problem so far. Getting the center hub cover off proved to be a problem. Thank goodness for the air hammer. Then, a cotter pin and large center bolt holding the wheel assembly onto the axle.

Then four 19mm bolts, the air hammer and a pry bar were all that were needed to get the bearing off.

The fun part was using the 20,000 pound hydraulic press to separate the round part with the wheel studs (sorry, that's the only piece I don't know the name of), then press it back into the new bearing assembly. Bolt everything back on in reverse order, rotate the tires, and lower her off the lift.

What I would expect to be a $400+ (easily) job at the dealer was done in under 5 hours for parts (wholesale at that) - $170.

I cannot rave enough about these guys. I would (will) definitely go back for any mechanical work (non tech day) that I need done.

Also, they have a beautiful FJ40 rebuilt and soon to be for sale that I drooled over during the pizza break.

If you're under warranty, get Toyota to take care of your wheel bearings. If you're not, and are cheap like me, you'll at least need some decent air tools and a hydraulic press (that thing was a monster - a hand press won't cut it). Not really an in-the-driveway type of job. But, definitely doable as a DIY with access to the right tools. She seems to ride smoother (less wheel vibration) and a hell of a lot quieter (I blamed the MT's, but looks like I missed the real problem).