SQOD Squad - Stupid Question Of the Day (14 Viewers)

[32cls6speedmt]

And I assume that the AHC does not care, correct?

Nope. I have the tire and wheel for 40k miles. Love the looks and comfort. Performs well in wet conditions as well. I did get new globes and mounts and struts 12k miles. I can tell difference between comfort and sport mode with dampers. I have 182k miles.

 

[BigSwede]

Is there a tool to get these plugs off and if so, does anyone have a part number?View attachment 3869582

Kinda late to the party, but I just installed these factory crossbars on my LX, and they came with a plastic tool for that fastener.

Which isn't a ton of help since I don't have a part number for you... but it does exist.

 

[Nothinghead]

This is listed for the RAV4 but fits the LX bars the same.

Kinda late to the party, but I just installed these factory crossbars on my LX, and they came with a plastic tool for that fastener.

Which isn't a ton of help since I don't have a part number for you... but it does exist.

 

[ryanCA]

Collective brains...


Approaching 220k miles. Zero hints of steering related issues.. but I'm to the point that I wonder about tie rod and tie rod end health. Considering doing TREs and Tie Rods via the current parts sale. Total for those parts would be about $600.. the inners are 250 each, outers 50.

I gave a half-hearted attempt at separating the TRE from the knuckle to see how loose the associated ball-joints are, but they are in there pretty good and I didn't want to risk damage to the threaded portion until I was ready to really do the job.

Well here's the thing.. a whole steering rack including inners and outers is $661 on the sale. At that price I'd have to wonder if it is rebuilt vs factory-new..

But for only an extra $60 and the effort of putting it in.. a whole new steering rack?

Am I nuts for considering this? Or just leave the steering alone (tracks straight.. and I will be installing new LCA's for the fresh bushings and lower ball-joints) until it actually starts giving signs of being tired, and wait for a sale then?

Another option is do the outers because they are relatively affordable.

Running stock-sized tires and the vast majority of my miles are on the road. for what it's worth.

stock truck
250 k
steering rack died
replaced with oem

at 297k now
miss the oem soft steering as the updated rack is much “harder”

 

[gray rider]

Not sure what you mean, but no

Sorry, I meant that the AHC functions as it should regardless of wheel size, correct?

 

[lx200inAR]

Sorry, I meant that the AHC functions as it should regardless of wheel size, correct?

@tbisaacs has left the AHC brotherhood. But yes AHC functions fine with larger tires. In fact the hurdles for fitting larger tires are greater for KDSS fitted trucks vs AHC.

 

[bloc]

stock truck
250 k
steering rack died
replaced with oem

at 297k now
miss the oem soft steering as the updated rack is much “harder”

Leaks? Other problems?

I actually think I’d prefer more steering weight. Either way I decided to hold off on this promotion, but I’ll be keeping a close eye on things for future sales.

 

[ryanCA]

Leaks? Other problems?

I actually think I’d prefer more steering weight. Either way I decided to hold off on this promotion, but I’ll be keeping a close eye on things for future sales.

slight drip, yup

 

[32cls6speedmt]

Sorry, I meant that the AHC functions as it should regardless of wheel size, correct?

Ahc functions well. I also changed five TPMs and have been doing five tire rotations every 5k miles. After 40k miles the tires are all at 8/32. Started off at 10/32.

 

[tbisaacs]

@tbisaacs has left the AHC brotherhood. But yes AHC functions fine with larger tires. In fact the hurdles for fitting larger tires are greater for KDSS fitted trucks vs AHC.

I’ll turn in my membership card next time I see ya

 

[32cls6speedmt]

@tbisaacs held onto ahc as long as possible but the dreaded rust got in the way.

 

[MCtree]

I’m about to switch from KO2’s to Firestone Destinations. I’ll keep the same size of 275/70r18’s with the Destinations.

However, the Destinations are 8lbs lighter per tire.

So my question is if I should also switch out my spare? Should I need to use the spare, will the 8lb difference on that one tire be an issue?

 

[Zjohnsonua]

I’m about to switch from KO2’s to Firestone Destinations. I’ll keep the same size of 275/70r18’s with the Destinations.

However, the Destinations are 8lbs lighter per tire.

So my question is if I should also switch out my spare? Should I need to use the spare, will the 8lb difference on that one tire be an issue?

No.

Way too much overthinking here.

 

[LX Cruiser]

I’m about to switch from KO2’s to Firestone Destinations. I’ll keep the same size of 275/70r18’s with the Destinations.

However, the Destinations are 8lbs lighter per tire.

So my question is if I should also switch out my spare? Should I need to use the spare, will the 8lb difference on that one tire be an issue?

It sounds like your spare is also a KO2. So you had 5 matching tires? Why would you only buy four matching new tires this time?

If your spare is just riding around until needed, you don’t need to change it.

But if doing 5-tire rotations, I’d buy all five new tires, as they will spend an equal amount of time on pavement, and I wouldn’t want the possibility that a heavier tire on one corner would affect tire wear.

8 lb doesn’t seem like much but at highway RPM, the force is a lot more than just 8 lbs

 

[Zjohnsonua]

8 lb doesn’t seem like much but at highway RPM, the force is a lot more than just 8 lbs

More overthinking...the tire structure supports and retains the tire's mass.

The only place a mass change applies is in rolling inertia effects, and that is negligible as far as that huge axle shaft is concerned.

 

[LX Cruiser]

More overthinking...the tire structure supports and retains the tire's mass.

The only place a mass change applies is in rolling inertia effects, and that is negligible as far as that huge axle shaft is concerned.

Disagree. Tires that will spend an equal amount of time on pavement on my vehicle should all match in terms of weight (not to mention tread pattern).

If it’s just a spare, it’s fine. If it is in the rotation with the rest of them, he should change it, too.

 

[Zjohnsonua]

Disagree. Tires that will spend an equal amount of time on pavement on my vehicle should all match in terms of weight (not to mention tread pattern).

I shouldn't...i really shouldnt...

But I have to ask...how do you see all tire masses needing to be a functional necessity?

 

[MCtree]

No.

Way too much overthinking here.

Ha! Overthinking is my main skill! Perhaps my only skill.

 

[LX Cruiser]

I shouldn't...i really shouldnt...

But I have to ask...how do you see all tire masses needing to be a functional necessity?

You’re overthinking it. This is very simple. All your tires should match—size, weight, tread pattern, rubber compound. This is not controversial.

Go into any tire store and tell them you want three of one tire and a fourth of a totally different brand/tread/weight. Even if you say “oh but I want it in the same nominal size,” they’ll look at you like you’re crazy and most likely refuse.

The exception is if it’s just the spare (very limited use), which I said in my first post is fine.

“I really shouldn’t” lolol

 

[MCtree]

It sounds like your spare is also a KO2. So you had 5 matching tires? Why would you only buy four matching new tires this time?

If your spare is just riding around until needed, you don’t need to change it.

But if doing 5-tire rotations, I’d buy all five new tires, as they will spend an equal amount of time on pavement, and I wouldn’t want the possibility that a heavier tire on one corner would affect tire wear.

8 lb doesn’t seem like much but at highway RPM, the force is a lot more than just 8 lbs

I only do 4 tire rotation. So my spare KO2 is pretty much brand new.

I’m more considering if I’m on a road trip and need to put the spare onto one of the axles due to a flat.
In that situation, I would get the flat tire repaired or replaced ASAP but depending on location this could still be many miles on-road and off with the misweighted tires.