Help for an ignorant noob (1 Viewer)

[GeoRoss]

I have been looking at LC's for the past few months and looking for the the typical. I came across a '93 for $6500. I don't know the miles yet as the ad really only says 'needs pinion repair'. I searched here and other places and correct me if I am wrong, but a pinion is a 'connector' thing to give range of motion between two non-bending things like in drive shafts or in a steering rack and can change rotary to linear motion.

How many 'pinion repairs' are there that could be repaired.

I can follow instructions (FSM), but are some pinion repairs not to be tried by the inexperienced.

Depending on which pinion needs repairing, what is a worst case to have it done in a shop.

I know this is very vague, but any speculation would be useful just so I can talk to the guy intelligently.

The LC is two hours away and I just want to know if this is a deal breaker for me before I call the owner. I was thinking that if the repair is not too expensive this could be a good buy assuming that the rig is in good condition otherwise. If I could get this deal through cheap enough I would consider it without lockers and add them later.

Thanks

Ross

 

[Sandman]

I would call the owner and find out the mileage and question him on the pinion problem and then repost for input. That is my O-pinion (sorry, could not resist). Get an Edmunds value and subtract a quotation for the pinion repair from a Toyota dealer and make an offer with input from this forum. Do the repair yourself and use the $ saved for any upgradesor other issues that arise. Good Hunting!

 

[TX_TLC]

Why not call the owner and get the full scoop on the entire truck (miles, general condition, ect.) and also ask him to tell you about the pinion problem? Then come back and get some ideas so you may futher understand what is fully wrong with the truck.



Thanks for admitting it though...that is the hardest part..."Help for an ignorant noob"



EDIT: Dang you beat me to it...

 

[landtank]

My first thought was Pinion "gear" which would mean a diff repair. There have been reports of the pinion bearings having problems.

 

[reffug]

Get all the facts, stats on the rig and report back so that any advice given is accurate and not all of us flying by the collective seats of our collective pants.

 

[GeoRoss]

OK, I'll call the guy. I am also just trying to wrap my mind around what pinion gears are and where they are all located. I am starting to think that there are more than one.

R

 

[Dirk Diggler]

Ask the owner if he will let you take it to a "real" Toyota mechanic. I did when I bought my 80 and it saved me $5k. Perhaps the owner thinks the pinion problem is actually a birf going bad.

 

[landtank]

OK, I'll call the guy. I am also just trying to wrap my mind around what pinion gears are and where they are all located. I am starting to think that there are more than one.

R

As others have said, try and get better info.

And there are 2 pinion gears, 1 in the front diff and 1 in the rear.

If you can take it for a drive and there is a howl to the truck that would be indicative of a diff problem usually.

Again this is just a seat of the pants guess and if you don't have these skills personally, you would want to take the vehicle to a reputable shop for a check up.

 

[GeoRoss]

As others have said, try and get better info.

And there are 2 pinion gears, 1 in the front diff and 1 in the rear.

If you can take it for a drive and there is a howl to the truck that would be indicative of a diff problem usually.

Again this is just a seat of the pants guess and if you don't have these skills personally, you would want to take the vehicle to a reputable shop for a check up.

Thanks landtank, exactly what I needed to know. I was afraid a bad pinion gear would effect the efficiency of the flux capacitor.

Ross