HELP ME What do I do

[adkinsadam1]

Those prices are just insane, drive out to Pennsylvania for a few days with all your parts and I’ll show you how to do that stuff and you’ll probably be ahead 6k

Man I wish I could. I've never done any maintenance before and would love to have someone do some of this with me so I can learn. For example, I don't know how tight to tighten things.

 

[adkinsadam1]

MUST DO things are lower ball joints and radiators.

I don't believe they suggested LBJs for me, but several guys on this thread have said I should take care of those. I've also seen it mentioned all over the place. Should I assume they're fine or do you think I need to handle them? I know the failure is catastrophic. I'm always a little worried about them, but they've never been pointed out to me as an issue by a mechanic.

 

[RandyBobandy]

The lower ball joints are a higher priority than anything on that list, and I certainly wouldn’t have the yokel mechanic who gave you that estimate do it, the ball joints need to be oem with new bolts. Radiator isn’t that big of a deal since you’ve got a 5 speed but it’s something to keep an eye on.

There’s plenty of forum members in Colorado so maybe someone local would be willing to help out

 

[3bears]

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/mountain/

not super active...not many people know of it I think....but post there and ask for help...maybe you will have a neighbor who wants to help you

regardless....those prices are nuts..
maybe the shop mechanic needs a new boat or needs to pay off an affair

 

[Endlessblockades]

Man I wish I could. I've never done any maintenance before and would love to have someone do some of this with me so I can learn. For example, I don't know how tight to tighten things.

Well, you can begin by using the time-tested German method (as endorsed by Timmy the Toolman) of Guden Tight for starters, then google the torque specs when you decide to shell out for a quality torque wrench. Don't get a super cheap crappy one. I didn't realize you have a 5 speed so no Pink Milkshake to worry about.

Lefty-loosey, righty-tighty - we all start somewhere. The important thing is to start.......

 

[Jakeepoo3]

For those of you who saw my post on here about two weeks ago asking about the CV joints.... I finally got a list of things that must be handled from the car shop which inspected my car. My car has 250k miles on it. I can't afford this.

What should I do? What would you do? I really appreciate it. I have to let them know what I want today.

HERE (1999 4runner Squeak Sound, CV Boot Stuff - YouTube) is a link to the video I uploaded with my last post, a week prior to me dropping my car off at the shop. I included extensive footage of the undercarriage in the second half of the video. Perhaps this may be useful.


Thank you SO MUCH. I really appreciate the input here.

PS- I'm also a bit shocked because this place did a fuel injection service for me in July, and they're saying I need one again. Also, ALL of this stuff was not an issue in July. That is $8000 of new stuff in just a few months. I explained to the technician I spoke with that I felt it was strange and he says he's been a technician for 30 years and you can never predict when things break. They just do. What would you guys do if this were your rig? It's driving fine. Great even. There is some fluid leaking under the car though on the garage floor. ALSO, last time, they said I had an oil leak from the oil pan gasket (I think that's what it is), and they replaced that, and at that time there was no other leaking stuff. It's only been 3 months! I haven't driven the truck an abnormal amount or anything.

Alignment shops won't tell you what the real issue is. Outer tire wear is a toe in problem. I bet money your tie rod end links are going bad. This cause shaking brakes too you mentioned. Check them. You can buy a badass tool that cleans your injectors in twenty minutes. It's a canister you put a special cleaner in hooked to an air compressor. Then hooks directly to your fuel rail. Blows The injectors clean. It only cost like 100 bucks. It's called non dismantle injector cleaner I think. I love it. That indicates a misfire timing issue. Check your spark plugs. The condition they're in can tell you a lot. ����

 

[Jakeepoo3]

Alignment shops won't tell you what the real issue is. Outer tire wear is a toe in problem. I bet money your tie rod end links are going bad. Check them. You can buy a badass tool that cleans your injectors in twenty minutes. It's a canister you put a special cleaner in hooked to an air compressor. Then hooks directly to your fuel rail. Blows The injectors clean. It only cost like 100 bucks. It's called non dismantle injector cleaner I think. I love it. That indicates a misfire timing issue.

I got your back. I remember when i first started too!

 

[T4topher]

Man I wish I could. I've never done any maintenance before and would love to have someone do some of this with me so I can learn. For example, I don't know how tight to tighten things.

His videos literally show how tight to tighten each bolt (the important ones at least) Obviously bigger bolts are gunna need more torque and smaller bolts are going to need less torque.. Get a torque wrench, I have a tekton (not expensive but decent quality). Tekton and gearwrench are pretty much my go to tool brands when I’m getting stuff, there are lots of other decent brands though. Amazon is a great resource for tools..

 

[thennen]

As others have indicated, find a buddy who knows cars and works on his own stuff. Have him walk you through one repair at a time. If you just get started, you'll become more comfortable with doing it. And there's always the aforementioned Timmy library to provide real visuals of the thing you're working on. Dive in, brother!

 

[SurferUK]

As others have indicated, find a buddy who knows cars and works on his own stuff. Have him walk you through one repair at a time. If you just get started, you'll become more comfortable with doing it. And there's always the aforementioned Timmy library to provide real visuals of the thing you're working on. Dive in, brother!

Thanks for mentioning that YouTube channel, it looks great! Subscribed.

 

[TheSaturnV]

All these fluids... $150 each? Is that normal? Or $350 for an alignment?

I just saw a billboard yesterday for a local Toyota dealership: "4 wheel alignment, $49."

 

[adkinsadam1]

The lower ball joints are a higher priority than anything on that list, and I certainly wouldn’t have the yokel mechanic who gave you that estimate do it, the ball joints need to be oem with new bolts.

Really, you don't think a mechanic should do the ball joints? Also, is there a way for me to visually evaluate whether or not they need to be done? Any warning signs?

 

[adkinsadam1]

Lefty-loosey, righty-tighty - we all start somewhere. The important thing is to start.......

LOL That's all I know! I say it every time I screw or unscrew something to remember ha

 

[adkinsadam1]

:cheer2HOTOS!!!!!! Hey all, check this out!!! PHOTOS PHOTOS photos photos


Inspection results


This has PHOTOS from the shop of the stuff in question. Perhaps this can also give more seasoned guys on here a better idea of the reality/seriousness of these issues??

 

[Bad Luck]

What on earth is a fuel injector 'service' (As opposed to full on refurbishment)? I have never heard of such a thing even on diesels.

We sell a "fuel system service" at my dealership. It consists of cleaning the throttle body, adding a fuel injector cleaner to the fuel tank, and running a fuel injector cleaner concentrate through the fuel rail with the engine running.

 

[SurferUK]

We sell a "fuel system service" at my dealership. It consists of cleaning the throttle body, adding a fuel injector cleaner to the fuel tank, and running a fuel injector cleaner concentrate through the fuel rail with the engine running.

Interesting, thanks. That's not something I have ever seen here. Nothing except the fuel filter gets touched as part of a service (And not even that sometimes!)

On a diesel with EGR I can see the benefits I suppose. A petrol engine...I suppose I might do it once every 150,000 miles if I was feeling kind that day :biggrin1:

 

[Bad Luck]

Interesting, thanks. That's not something I have ever seen here. Nothing except the fuel filter gets touched as part of a service (And not even that sometimes!)

On a diesel with EGR I can see the benefits I suppose. A petrol engine...I suppose I might do it once every 150,000 miles if I was feeling kind that day :biggrin1:

In my personal vehicles I only clean the throttle body. If you read the fuel service bottles it says it only covers the cost of the product (fuel system cleaner) if there is a fuel system component failure.

 

[SurferUK]

In my personal vehicles I only clean the throttle body. If you read the fuel service bottles it says it only covers the cost of the product (fuel system cleaner) if there is a fuel system component failure.

That's very generous of them! :twitch:

 

[MollyRNR]

For those of you who saw my post on here about two weeks ago asking about the CV joints.... I finally got a list of things that must be handled from the car shop which inspected my car. My car has 250k miles on it. I can't afford this.

What should I do? What would you do? I really appreciate it. I have to let them know what I want today.

HERE (1999 4runner Squeak Sound, CV Boot Stuff - YouTube) is a link to the video I uploaded with my last post, a week prior to me dropping my car off at the shop. I included extensive footage of the undercarriage in the second half of the video. Perhaps this may be useful.


Thank you SO MUCH. I really appreciate the input here.

PS- I'm also a bit shocked because this place did a fuel injection service for me in July, and they're saying I need one again. Also, ALL of this stuff was not an issue in July. That is $8000 of new stuff in just a few months. I explained to the technician I spoke with that I felt it was strange and he says he's been a technician for 30 years and you can never predict when things break. They just do. What would you guys do if this were your rig? It's driving fine. Great even. There is some fluid leaking under the car though on the garage floor. ALSO, last time, they said I had an oil leak from the oil pan gasket (I think that's what it is), and they replaced that, and at that time there was no other leaking stuff. It's only been 3 months! I haven't driven the truck an abnormal amount or anything.

Hey man head up to Denver and see Phil at Smooth Ride in Northglenn. Best Toyota mechanic in town if you're going to pay someone to do the work. Sounds like you don't wrench yourself which you should but he'll hook you up.

 

[fatherohenry]

Really, you don't think a mechanic should do the ball joints?

I needed my timing belt done in April of 2021. Dealership wanted $1300. I had the bright idea to hire a mechanic that someone recommended to me since I didn't have the tools or skills. Figured I'd pay attention and learn something, especially since he was doing it in my driveway. I'd offered to supply parts from aircabinman on Ebay but he said he'd only warranty the work if he used OEM parts from his own supplier. I ended up busy with clients throughout the afternoon and was only able to get out and take some occasional pictures of work-in-progress.

A couple weeks later, after reading this forum day in and day out, I went back and looked at the pictures. The first thing I noticed was a red & blue box labelled Duralast Timing Kit.

I decided then and there to become the best shade tree mechanic on my street. The first job I tackled on my own was replacing my LBJs. With the help of Timmy's videos and the right tools I was able to get the job done and it turned out no more difficult than changing spark plugs. Since then I've done rear shocks & coils, TBU, radiator, OTREs, steering rack bushings, sway bar bushings and more. I also did the front shocks & coils with some generous help from [MENTION=115347]gamefreakgc[/MENTION].

And I was a Web Developer. Now I'm a Web Developer with tools. And it all started here, in this forum.