Okay maintenance freaks.. I need your help.

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trouser_trout

trouser_trout

Joined
May 6, 2004
Messages
43
Location
Martinez, Ca
My 97 is creeping up on 120k miles and I want to do an Ultimate maintenance job on it. When I bought the truck used it had 73k miles on it. I have no idea what the prior owner did or didn't do.

So, can you please help me compile a list to bring to my mechanic (I have no mechanical ability at all). I want to do it all.

Please be sensative to the fact that I am a mechanical idiot, so please don't use abbreviations (After reading and searching I still can't figure out what a birf is).

As always, thanks for your help.

TT
 
1) Complete front axle service, to include trunion bearings.

2) Rear wheel bearing service.

3) All fluids changed, inclulding the cooling system, power steering, brake fluid, and the transmission.

4) Complete tune-up, to include cap, rotor, wires.

5) New air filter, fuel filter, PCV valve and gromet.

6) Close inspection of the radiator, associated hoses and the fan clutch.

7) Close inspection of the braking system.

If you plan to pay to have somebody do all of this, be prepared with a well-stocked billfold.
 
Thanks Dan, can you also include the brands, OEM or otherwise, for the parts? And for the fluid, can you tell me what brand/weight etc?
 
8. Have them check the small coolant hose above the starter (referred to affectionately as the PHH for Pesky Heater Hose) on the block. If showing signs of swelling or leakage, have it replaced.

And what Dan meant by:
cruiserdan said:
If you plan to pay to have somebody do all of this, be prepared with a well-stocked billfold.
Click to expand...
is "Grab your ankles and squeal like a piggy"
 
Well, of course I would suggest OEM parts....:D

As far as fluids go, the owners's manual has the specifications.

I prefer Valvoline motor oil, ATF, molly grease, 75-90 and 80-90. I like Pennzoil wheel bearing grease and Toyota coolant and brake fluid.


I also like Chevron gas, lots and lots of it....:rolleyes:
 
Trout,

As Dan is the resident parts supplier (parts manager at American Toyota--the ad runs up above), you would be well served by sending Dan a PM for the parts you need, and having him send them to you. Dan offers a "Smart Shopper" discount to forum members who ask nicely, and even to Junk. He'll set you up with what you need and knows these trucks.

If you bring the parts to the mechanic, you'll save a lot of $$ for all the work you are planning. Dan's doggies will also get fat and happy :D
 
Scamper, I will order my parts from Dan. Thanks for the advice.

Hey, how come no one has mentioned Birfs yet?
 
That's part of the "front axle service" I mentioned above.
 
trouser_trout said:
Hey, how come no one has mentioned Birfs yet?
Click to expand...

Dan's item #1: Front Axle Service equates to birfs. :D



didn't think you were going to get away without it, did you? :flipoff2:
 
9. (3) Drive belts, remember once you crank the motors the belts start working, and belts made from rubbers and rubber get expands, torns & ripped apart.. so get it replaced will ya :whoops: (its not timing belts) no worried she equipped with CHAIN in her very sensitive area and that need good lube otherwise she'll start moan badly... :flipoff2:
 
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I would also replace all the hard to reach heater hoses on the firewall. They will go bad eventually. Have a real injector cleaning done, clean the EGR valve and EGR vac regulator (it really helps to remove those for the injector cleaning and getting to the hoses). New shocks, steering stabilizer (both cheap if OEM suspension), sway bar bushings all around.
 
how come he says "maintenance freaks" and yall jumpin' and pantin'...?
 
Brake rotors on all 4 wheels and new pads. Flush the brake fluid and replace with new.

I agree with EnDlEss on the belts; again, use only OEM.

Fluid weights are in your owner's manual but someone will post them if you don't have the OM. You'll get NO concensus here on oil weight. Most would recommend synthetics for Oil, transfer case, F&R diffs, brake fluid. Some would recommend synthetic for the Automatic transmission.

-B-
 
Um,

I guess I don't get it.........:doh:
 
Oh,


NOW I get it..........:D


Well,



YOU deserved it then.......:rolleyes:.....:D :D :beer:
 
No-one mentioned u-joints...grease them well and squirt a small bit of grease in the slip yoke so everyone can say you've done too much. :D

Also you need to spend the required 2 hours laying under the vehicle looking for other things to do. :flipoff2:
 
On the tramssmission fluid, If you drain it you will only remove a small portion of the fluid. I would recommend a Fluid Exchange as this will replace all your fluid. This is something you should have done at a quality shop. Make sure they don't use an external pump or this could dislodge particles and cause problems. The Toyota Mechanic I went to used an exchange method that uses the vehicles pump to move the fluid.
 
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