just bought my first cruiser

[6foot8]

i picked up a 1993 land cruiser a few months ago. the exhuast has a leak and i cant find a new downpipe for it. other than that i have no complaints. the front axle hasnt been serviced in a long time and the steering wheel shakes when i stop. where should i start?

 

[Malleus]

Congrats!

Why are you looking for a new downtube? (exhaust header?) Is there an obvious defect (crack, pinhole, etc)?

Check your brakes. Slim rotors and non-existent pads will do that. That's from the "Check the cheap, obvious stuff first" book of vehicle troubleshooting. Worse case, you have some worn steering linkage bushings. Worst case, your bearings/knuckles (but you'd notice both of those driving too). (could be a loose nut between the steering wheel and the seat, check that too)

Grease everything, or have it done for you. Six (IIRC) zerk fittings on the driveline, two near each differential and two in the middle. You (usually) have to rotate the shafts to get at the universals. One square plug on top of each knuckle. Be glad it's not a 40; they have 13 grease points.

I have a grease diagram I'll post for you when I get home.

HTH

 

[6foot8]

Yea ive got new pads on rotors on there and the last owner did new tie rod ends.

 

[6foot8]

And yes giant hole on rhe downtube. I did a patch with my welder but it popped off after 3 months so i just wanna do it right. The whole exhuast system needs replaced

 

[Malleus]

Ah so. Sounds like bearings then. The I'd check those brakes again though, it's free. If the shimmy is only noticeable when you brake, it's either caused by, or amplified by the pad/rotor contact. What's the difference in the shimmy between light brake pressure and two footed "OMG I have to stop or I'm gonna die" pressure?

Welding an exhaust tube patch is tricky, don't feel bad. Lots of heat and pressure in there. I assume you don't want to try your local exhaust shop?

 

[6foot8]

Lol im lazy i went to the muffler shop first. He didnt want to touch it.

 

[6foot8]

Ill will post a few pictures of my nightmare

 

[pengfinn]

Caliper bolts are another suspect brake component, make sure they're torqued properly.

 

[on3i11s]

I'm no expert but I'd add checking your brake caliper Pistons and hoses to the list as well. The pistons could be dirty/grimy and seizing up. Hoses could be cracked or bulging. My pistons eventually started to seize and bogged the truck down on the freeway...couldn't get it over 40 mph.