Need Help Prioritizing Repairs!!! '02 4Runner

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fparzych

New member
2002 4runner needs the following at 104,000 miles. Please help prioritize:

1. Dull steering popping noise on highway and creaking in steering at low speeds

2. 2nd catalytic, flex pipe, muffler all deteriorated and leaking

3. Heavy shaking felt throughout vehicle when braking at highway speeds despite new pads and rotors within last 6 months

4. Radiator leaking along top and bottom seams

5. Shock absorbers starting to lack stability with highway wind

I love this Runner and I spent $1600 at dealer on timing belt / water pump and full tune-up at 89k miles, front brakes shortly after. I can't afford any more dealer trips on it. I have dealer records on this 4Runner from new to 89k miles and it's a blue ribbon carfax vehicle. Thanks for any and all input.
 
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fparzych said:
2002 4runner needs the following at 104,000 miles. Please help prioritize:

1. Dull steering popping noise on highway and creaking in steering at low speeds

2. 2nd catalytic, flex pipe, muffler all deteriorated and leaking

3. Heavy shaking felt throughout vehicle when braking at highway speeds despite new pads and rotors within last 6 months

4. Radiator leaking along top and bottom seams

5. Shock absorbers starting to lack stability with highway wind

I love this Runner and I spent $1600 at dealer on timing belt / water pump and full tune-up at 89k miles, front brakes shortly after. I can't afford any more dealer trips on it. I have dealer records on this 4Runner from new to 89k miles and it's a blue ribbon carfax vehicle. Thanks for any and all input.
Click to expand...

  1. New Radiator - Don't want to overheat your engine
  2. Lower ball joints / tie rod ends
  3. Wheels balanced
  4. Exhaust / Cat
  5. Shocks
 
chadsy said:
  1. New Radiator - Don't want to overheat your engine
  2. Lower ball joints / tie rod ends
  3. Wheels balanced
  4. Exhaust / Cat
  5. Shocks
Click to expand...

Only I'd flip is do LBJs first . overheated engine is less of a bad thing than losing control, and possibly flipping the car at speeds. But the radiator is fast so if you plan on doing the joints very soon after it should be OK.
 
Save some dough on the LBJs by pricing OEM on the web instead of the stealership. I just purchased mine for $180 shipped from 1sttoyotaparts.com and will be doing them this weekend. Maybe I can get some good pictures of the install for everyone.
 
Check the service history there should have been a recall done on the LBJ and if it was not Toyota still has to do it.
 
Can you still get recall items done if you are out of warranty? (i.e. I'm assuming all of us are out of warranty by now on a 3rd gen).

gs300tt said:
Check the service history there should have been a recall done on the LBJ and if it was not Toyota still has to do it.
Click to expand...
 
amalik said:
Can you still get recall items done if you are out of warranty? (i.e. I'm assuming all of us are out of warranty by now on a 3rd gen).
Click to expand...

It is a life time recall, if it has not been performed it is my understanding that they have to do it.
 
chadsy said:
  1. New Radiator - Don't want to overheat your engine
  2. Lower ball joints / tie rod ends
  3. Wheels balanced
  4. Exhaust / Cat
  5. Shocks
Click to expand...

gs300tt said:
Check the service history there should have been a recall done on the LBJ and if it was not Toyota still has to do it.
Click to expand...

Both of these! I would do both the radiator and LBJ ASAP. The LBJ might help fix some of your shaking problems too. Exhaust can leak and won't hurt anything, and shocks will just cause you discomfort and maybe some addition tire wear if real bad, but won't really hurt anything. I might even say do shocks before exhaust because they are a quick cheap fix...
 
lbj recall is not all 01-02's. the vin and or production date has to be within the range that toyota has. i have an early 01 and they won't do them. i called toyota and the dealer and they won't do it.
 
First, if the coolant is leaking STOP driving it. You're asking for a blown head gasket and possible Strawberry Milkshake.

Second, if the LBJ's and OTRE's are bad, STOP driving it. The results could be catastrophic if you keep it on the road.

That said, sounds like you have some major corrosion issues on this thing to have all the issues you're outlining above. Before you spend a dime on it, take it somewhere and have the frame checked out. No point in spending any money on it if it won't be road worthy in another year.

If the frame is indeed okay that as for prioritizing your repairs: the exhaust & shocks can wait. Definitely address the radiator ASAP. The dull steering could just be bad tires, it could be bad steering rack bushing, it could be LBJ's OTRE's & ITRE's. When you take it to have the frame checked out, ask them to also check all these for you. 104K seems a little pre-mature for all of those parts to be worn out. The vibration is probably the rotors. Depending on the type of driving you've been doing, how many miles you've driven since they were replaced, the brand of parts, etc, it could very well need brakes again. Also, are you sure they replaced the rotors last time and didn't just cut them? If they cut them, then I'd bet money on this issue being brake related and not front end components.

Sounds like you're on a tight budget so invest a little in having it properly diagnosed before spending a lot on parts you may not need.
 
PitbullRescuer said:
First, if the coolant is leaking STOP driving it. You're asking for a blown head gasket and possible Strawberry Milkshake.

Second, if the LBJ's and OTRE's are bad, STOP driving it. The results could be catastrophic if you keep it on the road.

That said, sounds like you have some major corrosion issues on this thing to have all the issues you're outlining above. Before you spend a dime on it, take it somewhere and have the frame checked out. No point in spending any money on it if it won't be road worthy in another year.

If the frame is indeed okay that as for prioritizing your repairs: the exhaust & shocks can wait. Definitely address the radiator ASAP. The dull steering could just be bad tires, it could be bad steering rack bushing, it could be LBJ's OTRE's & ITRE's. When you take it to have the frame checked out, ask them to also check all these for you. 104K seems a little pre-mature for all of those parts to be worn out. The vibration is probably the rotors. Depending on the type of driving you've been doing, how many miles you've driven since they were replaced, the brand of parts, etc, it could very well need brakes again. Also, are you sure they replaced the rotors last time and didn't just cut them? If they cut them, then I'd bet money on this issue being brake related and not front end components.

Sounds like you're on a tight budget so invest a little in having it properly diagnosed before spending a lot on parts you may not need.
Click to expand...

I agree, you need to replace that radiator ASAP or at least use some JB Weld to patch it until you can replace it. But PitBull is right, you need to inspect the frame and determine if this car will last, and if it will, you need to decide if you want to drive this car for a long time and invest in the repairs. The good news is that some of those issues can easily be done by yourself for cheap.

Oh, and as for the LBJ issue, I would be extremely cautious. You wouldn't want a wheel to fall off while on the highway going 55 :(
 
01thunder said:
lbj recall is not all 01-02's. the vin and or production date has to be within the range that toyota has. i have an early 01 and they won't do them. i called toyota and the dealer and they won't do it.
Click to expand...

I would suggest going to Toyota's Owner's website:
http://www.toyota.com/owners/web/pages/home

A quick register (you'll need the VIN) and there you will find any dealership service history. There is also a tab for any RECALLS FOR THAT VIN #.
 
Thanks

Thanks for the input.

It has been serviced at the "stealership" day 1 - 100k but I won't go back. Recall previously addressed.

Going in for LBJ / tie rod ends next week. Probably shocks and exhaust replacement also. The frame on this thing isn't going anywhere! (will load pic)

I lost 1 qt. of coolant in a 3 month period so I'm guessing I can wait till next Oil change for radiator with a weekly coolant level check.

New tires in the spring.

Thanks everyone!
 
It's already had LBJ's once and you think it needs them again? Highly unlikely.

Fix the radiator before you do anything else. Can't stress this enough.
 
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