Recent content by weaves

To do it properly, you'll probably want to remove the steering rack because there's not a lot of room underneath there. The service manual says to back out the 24mm hex guide cap until the guide spring pressure is completely relieved. Then tighten the cap until it takes 6.2 - 13.3 in/lb of force...

I've been dealing with this for as long as I've owned my 4runner. I tried multiple alignment settings including maxing out the caster which had very little impact on the wandering. I replaced the steering rack (reman) which saw the greatest improvement but it was still difficult to drive in...

The coolant bypass pipe is difficult to see with the intake manifold installed. Here's a picture showing where the two gaskets are located.

I'm running one and have had good luck with it so far. I know at one point Maval was supplying Toyota with reman racks but I'm pretty sure that is not the case now. Maval only replaces the inner tie rods if they don't pass the inspection process. So that does mean you could potentially get some...

Amazon - Amazon.com: ARES 56028 - Universal Oil Filter Wrench - 3/8-Inch Drive - Removes 2.5 to 3.25-inch Diameter Spin-On Style Oil Filters : Automotive

Those are nice, except on some diesels, which can be torqued on there pretty good causes the jaws to dig into the filter and collapse it. This style works similarly except it uses teeth to grip onto the filter. Hands down the best one I've used.

Yes, there is a dust cap there. 43442A/B in the diagram (Part# 43442-35060)

Yes but you don't need to remove the knuckle. Just the hub/wheel bearing assembly. If you have 4WD, it's actually easier to use to puller while the assembly is still bolted to the knuckle (still attached to the vehicle). Once you remove the hub, then you can unbolt the wheel bearing.

Apple...made in China crap. Powerstop makes decent brakes and their customer service is top notch. I installed them on my Excursion which was my dedicated towing vehicle and I put on well over 50k miles with them. I liked them so much I installed a set on my 4Runner.

O'Reilly's has a hub puller that you can rent. You can remove the hub while the hub/wheel bearing assembly is still attached to the knuckle if you don't have a vice. For 2WD, you'll need to remove the entire hub assembly since there is a locking nut on the backside holding the hub onto the wheel...

I hate to break it to you, but you'll have to drill and tap them out. I had the heads off, and I could still not extract any of the broken valve cover bolts (extractors and map gas). The first problem is that the bolt holes are threaded completely through the head, allowing the bolts get exposed...

Just tap it out with a socket that's the same diameter as the outer sleeve. The hardest part is actually separating the inner sleeve from the outer sleeve. I found that the easiest way is to score the rubber bushing all around with a razor and then twist the inner sleeve out with a large pair...

They're actually painted satin black. The '03 SR5 & SportEdition OEM fender flares were originally a charcoal gray plastic (unpainted) and also have raised ridges on them. The '03 Limited models had paint-matched fender flares.

That's where I got mine. It's definitely the real deal. I haven't come across any counterfeit AISIN kits but that doesn't mean there aren't any. The kits that are pieced together by independent retailers/sellers are the ones that I would be concerned about.

FYI, here's a clear example of why you need to be careful when buying so-called "OEM" timing belt kits or any other OEM parts on eBay. Genuine Timing Belt Water Pump Kit For Toyota Lexus 4Runner Tundra V8 4.7L OEM | eBay At a quick glance, it looks pretty legit with the typical Toyota boxes...