Better Late Than Never Build Thread - Page 3 - Toyota 4Runner Forum

Speedy · 02-28-2023, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gamefreakgc

Almost assured you will need one. My tires were so out of whack they squealed as I drove down the driveway. Was an interesting drive to the dealership to get them aligned!

I agree will find out shortly.

brillo_76 · 03-01-2023, 10:17 AM

I am kinda surprised the rigs would need to be realigned after changing ball joints but come to think of it. I almost always have mine aligned after that project or new tires installed. As the pot holes around here make daily driving, sometimes an off-road experience. :/

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Bad Luck · 03-01-2023, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brillo_76

I am kinda surprised the rigs would need to be realigned after changing ball joints but come to think of it. I almost always have mine aligned after that project or new tires installed. As the pot holes around here make daily driving, sometimes an off-road experience. :/

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I had to unbolt my LBJ's from the knuckle to change axle shafts and that alone caused my steering wheel to be off center now. I'm sure my toe is out too, but I really don't want to have to break out the fire wrench again.

brillo_76 · 03-01-2023, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bad Luck

I had to unbolt my LBJ's from the knuckle to change axle shafts and that alone caused my steering wheel to be off center now. I'm sure my toe is out too, but I really don't want to have to break out the fire wrench again.

I keep it in mind, I actually end up doing it like 95% of the time. and its great to know that its you mess with the ball joints and tie rods its a great idea to get an alignment done.
Even though, you don't change the parts :-) Naturally, changing the tie rod ends you need alignment. I just did think taking off loose a lower ball joint and bolts that were torqued
to spec. to change a CV joint. Then new lower ball joint bolts I would need to have the alignment checked.

JoeT4R · 03-01-2023, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brillo_76

I am kinda surprised the rigs would need to be realigned after changing ball joints but come to think of it. I almost always have mine aligned after that project or new tires installed. As the pot holes around here make daily driving, sometimes an off-road experience. :/

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Heh, Jon you should come visit northern Virginia then, lol! Pot hole city over here buddy.

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brillo_76 · 03-01-2023, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeT4R

Heh, Jon you should come visit northern Virginia then, lol! Pot hole city over here buddy.

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Same environment. Doesn't surprise me..

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Speedy · 03-02-2023, 04:35 PM

I guess Toyota valve cover gaskets and spark plug tube seals are still the go to? My originals lasted about 18 years and 130K miles before they started to have any sort of leak so that's pretty good.

I need to get that ordered.

JoeT4R · 03-02-2023, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speedy

I guess Toyota valve cover gaskets and spark plug tube seals are still the go to? My originals lasted about 18 years and 130K miles before they started to have any sort of leak so that's pretty good.

I need to get that ordered.

I'd say so. I wouldn't feel comfortable using anything other than OEM components for that job in particular. And any price variation for something aftermarket I don't think would give me peace of mind.

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Speedy · 03-02-2023, 04:43 PM

Book time on the valve cover gaskets is 3 hours. Why do people say it takes them 8 or 12?

I typically take my time and goof off when I'm working so I'm sure it'll take me longer than 3 hours, plus I'm super anal about cleaning stuff up so that'll probably slow me down too. I plan to paint the valve covers with some silver (or red?) engine enamel to clean them up.

JoeT4R · 03-02-2023, 04:43 PM

Also, something I want to add that I forgot to mention. Those half moons are something to do as well during the VCG job. I don't recall doing mine when I did that job. Which was back in 2014.

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Speedy · 03-02-2023, 04:54 PM

Yeah, I'm ordering all new everything. Parts are pretty cheap and I don't wanna have to do it again for a while. Gaskets, tube seals, half moons, cam plugs, pcv gromet, fipg, valve cover bolt gromets, all in my cart.

Bad Luck · 03-02-2023, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speedy

Book time on the valve cover gaskets is 3 hours. Why do people say it takes them 8 or 12?

I typically take my time and goof off when I'm working so I'm sure it'll take me longer than 3 hours, plus I'm super anal about cleaning stuff up so that'll probably slow me down too. I plan to paint the valve covers with some silver (or red?) engine enamel to clean them up.

Book time is a professional mechanic with power tools and a wide variety of tools to best get the job done. If John Doe only has a 102 piece craftsman kit with hand ratchets it's going to take a lot longer. Especially if they don't really know the steps and have to keep going on youtube to watch the video or reading a write up on a forum.

Speedy · 03-02-2023, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bad Luck

Book time is a professional mechanic with power tools and a wide variety of tools to best get the job done. If John Doe only has a 102 piece craftsman kit with hand ratchets it's going to take a lot longer. Especially if they don't really know the steps and have to keep going on youtube to watch the video or reading a write up on a forum.

Makes sense. I'm fortunate to have a good tool box with power tools etc so hopefully it won't be as big of a deal for mine. The cleaning and painting is gonna slow me down though for sure.

Just finished adjusting the suspension. That video will be live tomorrow. Getting that strut back in there even with the lbj disconnected was still a major PITA, I gotta be missing something on that one. Putting the lift on the truck originally was a pain in regards to the front struts.

JoeT4R · 03-02-2023, 10:29 PM

I will say that when I did that job, I had assistance from a friend. It was almost 10 years ago but if I recall correctly it took us about 4 or 5 hours and we did it in the street. All hand tools.

If I were doing it alone, I think the part that would hold me up the most is getting stuff disconnected and removed and reinstalled. I'm very careful with that kind of stuff. Overall it's not a horrible job. But you know what is?

Timing belt and water pump. Had a near and dear friend's Dad do the job for me while I assisted and learned. Took every bit of 10 hours start to finish.

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brillo_76 · 03-02-2023, 10:47 PM

What took us the longest on the last engine valve gasket project. Was cleaning the gasket surfaces. It's not the easiest to get to everything with the engine in.

While the valve pans are off:

If you are around 250 to 300k is to check the valves for adjustment. It's enough time that your exhaust valves to get too tight and possibly the intake out of spec range.

As long as the valves are in that tolerance range. They are good. If you try to get them exact. It's possible, you be there for a few days .

Its just a thought while your in there.

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