Tell it to me like I'm stupid . . . (1 Viewer)

[justagirl]

These are owner comments about a 97 in MA that Randy Elkin 82Cruiser was nice enough to check out for me. I'm trying to formulate a fair offer. The two problems listed below--aren't they the same problem? Rear rotors need to be replaced?

1. Brakes. The report from the dealer says, "Vehicle will need rear brakes. They are 90% worn." I really don't know more than that but in January another service company did replace pads and rotors on the front brakes.

2. Parking Brake. The report from the dealer says, "Parking brake is making noise from rust build-up inside rotor." I called the dealer and told him I had work done on the parking brake in January. That work included, "Toyota LR E-Brake Lever. Install LR and repair RR EB". He told me that meant they did replace the left rear and did some repair on the right rear. The noise may be a sign of additional work needed but their recommendation doesn't necessarily mean it is urgent.

 

[firetruck41]

1. The rear brakes worn, could be just pads, ~$30 and 30minutes of your time with a lug wrench and socket (or allen wrench?). I haven't done the rear rotors myself, but that would be more involved and $$$.

2. Don't know, but if you are slightly mechanically inclined you could probably go through the system and find the problem and fix it. Wouldn't scare me off, especially if it still works but is just noisy. Worth trying to use it to bargain for a little better price maybe.

 

[boarcrz]

I think you're right and I never heard of anyone replacing brake pads only on one side of the axle.
I know you've been looking for a Cruiser but may I ask how are you going to register non CA registered into the CA?
Last I checked CA DMV regulation was that they would only register the vehicle if it was brought in while someone was moving into CA.
I may be wrong.
I got mine about six months ago. I looked for about 4 months for a clean and locked 80.
It was very tiring experience but I'm very happy with mine.
I'm sure you've had checked out all resources but keep looking.

 

[justagirl]

I know you've been looking for a Cruiser but may I ask how are you going to register non CA registered into the CA?
Last I checked CA DMV regulation was that they would only register the vehicle if it was brought in while someone was moving into CA.

My last vehicle--a Range Rover Classic that became a fireball in my driveway--came from Colorado. You can buy vehicles from out of state and bring them in.

 

[firetruck41]

Almost certain a 97 is 50 states legal, there was not a California model, I wouldn't think it would be an issue, but I'm not in California (thanks goodness...)

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

Got my 4Runner from Utah last year, no problems registering in CA.

 

[landtank]

It sounds to me that the bellcrank might have seized and baked a set of shoes. This happened to me and it warped the rear rotors as well, and they could be felt in the pedal on braking.

If you search on "bellcrank" you'll have some stuff to read. Toyota uses the exact same design on all there trucks and it is quite common to have them seize.

 

[-Spike-]

I'm suprised no one has noted that the e-brake shoes and brake pads are two different things. 80's use drum brakes for the e-brake, and discs for the regular brakes.

-Spike

 

[justagirl]

Good catch! So is it two different problems then?

This is the confusing line:
Parking brake is making noise from rust build-up inside rotor.

I'm suprised no one has noted that the e-brake shoes and brake pads are two different things. 80's use drum brakes for the e-brake, and discs for the regular brakes.

-Spike

 

[-Spike-]

The disc rotor is also the drum. Imagine a small drum with a disc surrounding it. They probably call the drum/rotor a 'rotor', and there probably is rust inside it. Eastern cars scare the crap out of me. Oh yeah, tech, lemme see, um, I'd guess it needs a complete brake inspection at very least, which isn't something you're gonna do in the guy's driveway. Does the price of the vehicle reflect the problem? That's about all I got, other than 'why would you buy a car from the rust belt', but that would be taking you to a place you'd probably rather not go.

-Spike

 

[justagirl]

The disc rotor is also the drum. Imagine a small drum with a disc surrounding it. They probably call the drum/rotor a 'rotor', and there probably is rust inside it.

-Spike

thank you!

 

[landtank]

I guess I wasn't clear on my post when taking about the bellcrank and the shoes inside. Yes there are 2 different systems and the e-brake can get stuck on and the noise is the shoes dragging on the inside of the rotor. I've had quite a few rear assemblies apart and it's not a bunch of rust causing the noise.

you guys with this rust Phoebia need to get a grip.

 

[RavenTai]

us guys with the rust Phoebia do not get locked up bell cranks.

I understand for you north easters rust is just a fact of life, you accept it and move on, for the rest of us it can be avoided so we take steps to do so.

 

[jonb96150]

I understand for you north easters rust is just a fact of life, you accept it and move on, for the rest of us it can be avoided so we take steps to do so.

I agree 100%

 

[Silicon 70]

Almost certain a 97 is 50 states legal, there was not a California model, I wouldn't think it would be an issue, but I'm not in California (thanks goodness...)

One of the rules are the vehicle has to have over 7500 on the odometer, but as long as it can pass CA smog and DMV inspections, it can make it.

Bought a 4Runner from Wisconsin a while back and the truck loves Cali weather.

 

[Gumby]

My bellcrank fell into dust, very literally, last time I looked at it.

I have no more problems with them.

 

[elmariachi]

you guys with this rust Phoebia need to get a grip.

I don't have rust Phoebia, I have "DamnIhatetogetthatshitinmyeyes" phobia.

 

[M-80]

Jim,


You got that right!!!