Probie want a cracker? (2 Viewers)

[njfzj80]

Hi all,
I've been searching through these threads for a couple of months now, and I think it's time to join the ranks. I purchased a 97 FZJ80 exaclty one year ago this May. It had 89,000 miles then (barely broken in!), and just a tad over 101,000 miles at the moment. NOw, I'm not going to fall into the "beginner" trap by asking what sort of maintenance should I perform? There's plenty of threads out there on that matter. I should also mention that I wouldn't call myself a mechanic. Up until this point most of my repairs have been done at the Toy dealer. My goal is to learn as much as I can about the truck so that I can work on it myself (why should i let them have all the fun). Last week I performed my first repair, a new power antenna...with a broken lead. I was picturing myself getting my hand caught in the hole in the fender and waiting for the fire dept. to get me out. But everything worked out! SO hello everyone, and please excuss my future, dumn questions.

by the way here's one:
1) When I accelerate in the 5-20 mph range, there's a loud rattle coming from under the vehicle. It almost sounds like loose metal. I crawled under the truck, but nothing seems to be loose. As soon as I come off the gas the noise stops ( it also stops when I accerlerate past 20 mph).

 

[Doc]

HOLY COW!

That was an intellegent, well thought out introduction. Some people here should take notice.

I'll bet you $25 that the rattle you hear is the heat shields on the engine side of your cat converter- around the down pipe of your header. Check 'em (when they are cold) I used a 3" band clamp around each one and it solved that problem quickly.

Welcome!

 

[NorCalDoug]

I stand with Doc and vote loose heat shield based on your description.

Also, great first post

Didn't we officially welcome you a while back? No, I guess that was someone else...Welcome aboard

 

[reffug]

and dats all I have to say about dat.

 

[flintknapper]

Ditto, great first post.

I agree with the others about the source of the noise.
Now, if we can get you to rub off on sparky...........oops, sorry spark!

Welcome.

 

[mooker82]

Do you still have your spare under the back...when i took mine loose the way i tucked the bracket and chain up started rattling just like you said.

 

[njfzj80]

Thanks for the quick responses. I'll crawl under the truck this weekend and check out the heat shield and the spare tire. I didn't want to take it to Toyota for fear that they would replace something rather than fixing it. I appreciate the help, please allow me to buy you a

 

[cruiserdan]

An offical welcome to the noob...

You should consider tutoring some folks on the side to pay for your Cruiser habit..

 

[MaddBaggins]

Welcome! Check the shields on the cats and check out the muffler while you are under there to see if it is cracked or tore open. Again welcome to OZ

 

[Rainy Day FZJ]

Check for a pebble on the skid plate for the t-case. I had one on there that I swore would be the converters loose inside or a loose heat shield. With the rig cold take a gloved closed fist and start bumping the muffler and skid plates it should reproduce the sound almost exactly if that is the problem. Good luck now get to work....

 

[cruiserdan]

I had a gas pedal problem once 'cuz there was a rock in my shoe. Does that count?

 

[Tools R Us]

Use a big rubber hammer to tap/beat on the exhust, skid plates, etc. to find the rattle.

 

[loquito]

for your maintanance question look for a thread titled

"Question for all you maintance freaks" Or something to that effect. I have it printed up and can find the link tonight if you ar not able to find it. I have been crossing off jobs from that list for a while.
All the guys showed up for that thread, it will be worth the search.

Oh and welcome, they keep refering to Stucky, are you a young guy to?

 

[OZCAL]

Do you still have your spare under the back...when i took mine loose the way i tucked the bracket and chain up started rattling just like you said.

Ditto. I wrapped the chain around a wine cork, snugged it up with sip hetfy bag ties.

Also put a cork under the rear license plate to stop it from rattling.

 

[njfzj80]

loquito...I would appreciate the maintenance link. I can't seem to find it. I know that I need to repack the birfield joints (i think that's what they're called). The large ball joints have two colors of grease mixing on them. I'm aware that this is a problem, but I need to save up some cash to get it done. I'm a 25 year old grad student (that means I'm broke), who spent all his savings on a LC...if that's not love...

cheers

 

[Cruiserdrew]

I remember being a 25 year old graduate student. I was driving an '84 Tercell at the time that needed no mainenance. Land Cruisers on the other hand require lots, so just grin and bear it. While they are reliable, they are not cheap to own. It isn't a Camry.

It sounds like you need a front axle maintanence session to baseline the knuckles. The knuckle (trunion) bearings wear over time and at at 100k, I promise you, they are shot. Performing this service will allow you to repack the birfs, replace the knuckle bearings, replace the critically important inner axle seal, and repack the wheel bearings. If your wheel bearings are good, you need about $200 in parts form CDan. If you need new wheel bearings, they cost between $30 and $75 per wheel extra. You also get to closely inspect all the brake components for wear. This service is a right of passage for all Land Cruiser owners. Not perofrming this service is really expensive when you realize that birfields cost $400 EACH, axle shafts are $250 EACH etc.

Your rattle sounds like no big deal. The rubber hammer technique is what I use to locate rattles. Tighten the loose bit and move on. Welcome to the forum.

 

[njfzj80]

ok...I'm already off to a bad start. I didn't get a chance to look at the heat shields this weekend, but I will tomorrow. I've been researching the threads on repacking the birf's. Where is the best place to purchase the factory service manual? (Toyota dealer, online, auto parts store, etc.) I'm ashamed to admit I don't have one already. I also came across threads containing the phrase "i ordered the birf's kit from CDan". No offense, but to whom are they referring to? And how can I find this Toyota Oracle?

Cheers.

 

[cruiserdan]

<-------------------<<<< Look here...

I also came across threads containing the phrase "i ordered the birf's kit from CDan". No offense, but to whom are they referring to? And how can I find this Toyota Oracle?

Cheers.

 

[concretejungle]

Toyota Oracle.......now that's funny! Dan, you have gotten quite a reputation.

 

[Junk]

but I need to save up some cash to get it done. I'm a 25 year old grad student (that means I'm broke), who spent all his savings on a LC...if that's not love...

where are you at in NJ? We have a Gotham City Land Crusier (www.gclcny.com) meeting on May 1 in Hackensack. Chances are if you are in NJ we have someone that may be able to give you a hand if you'd like to learn how to do this yourself.