Front axle experts? - The dealer? (1 Viewer)

[Riley]

I've spent my weekend (when not playing at the beach) reading up on about how to maintain my incoming 80. Lot's to learn (like I need to do a full knuckle job and that's not the same as a front wheel bearing repack, duh....)

Simon - how did your front axle job work out in the end?

http://139.81.82.149/forum/index.php?board=2;action=display;threadid=1705

Any ideas where I should go for this? It's got me worried that nobody (except the guys on this board) know what they are doing. Perhaps N.S.O.R. center?

I guess the dealer but even then when having the truck inspected the "tech" said they rarely ever tear down them down this far.

The main reason I just thought repacking the "front hubs" was all I to do is because that's all my previous mechanic told me was required.

I don't feel like doing this myself as it's too much out of the gate. Perhaps doing the breather hose extension.

Dealer? or shop around trying to find a good mechanic?

Ben

 

[CDN_Cruiser]

Ben:

Congrats on the new addition. Based on my experience, you do need to be careful about who you use doing work. I had a mechanic that we have used for a number of years (owns a 4 runner) do some initial work and I think he was in way over his head. Can't prove (and didn't raise the issue), but I think a significant repair I had to do was based on his inexperience.

In Canada, here are your options:

1) Go to a Toyota dealership. I had my front end work done by a small Toyota dealer and was really pleased with the result. Diagnosed the problem immediately, got parts in a day and no probs with the work (also gave me 20% off parts) - this was in a town of 20,000.

2) Find an indie that REALLY knows what they are doing on Cruisers

3) Off road shop that has the same as 2

4) Find a combo Toyota/Lexus dealer and hope that you can have it serviced on the Toyota side (else I pay $100/hr shop rate for Lexus ). Advantage here is that the Lexus mechanics will at least have some experience with the LX450s they service. When the Toy guy has a question, he just needs to yell across the shop floor!!

Cheers, Hugh

 

[landtank]

You might start by checking out any 4x4 clubs in your area. They can be an invaluable source for just what you're asking. If there is a "Go To" guy in your area or a "Not to Go To" guy they are sure to know.

 

[Riley]

Thanks guys - both sound like good ideas. I think I'll start by interviewing one Toyota shop that I know has some crusier heads working in parts. In fact one of them is named Dan (but too bad not C-Dan). I think they give parts discount on crusier parts.

There is also a off-road shop in Vancouver but it's a pain for me to get too.

Life is tough, first you have to fret over buying a TLC and now have to go try to find a good mechanic. Life's a bitch... :

 

[semlin]

Ben, been very unhappy trying to find a mechanic (see my PM). If you find someone let me know.