nervous buyer of 03 V8 4wd needs advice

[yota_fan]

I'm looking at a 03 T4R SR5 V8 4WD with 125k miles from a private seller. (friend of my sis in law)
I'm not the mechanic type. Most intense work i've done is change o2 sensor on my wifes RAV 4 and install K&N intake on my 01 tacoma.
Never had a 4wd so im nervous about the purchase.
Some concerns i have are...
1. During test drive I noticed the steering wheel shakes when i press brakes. And pretty violently depending on the speed and how hard i braked.
I'm thinking rotors, right. Or some other steering issue. Could it be anything else?

2. Timing belt has not been changed

3. I called an independent mechanic that has a god reputation with my family and he said beware of the full time 4WD and the transfer case fail. For a second opinion i called the local Toyota 'stealer' service dept and they said the transfer case fail is a definitely a common problem.

The seller is asking $10,000. But I think I will counter with a deduction for the timing belt and whatever it takes to repair the steering wobble.

Any and all advice and opinions are greatly appreciated!! I really want this truck!

 

[S p a r k y]

1. turn rotors and you should be just fine, I bought mine the same way..

2. run you about 600-800 at dealer, another place can do this cheaper.

3. I havent heard of a problem.

Is this your first one you have looked at? Look around as well..

 

[yota_fan]

Thanks Sparky,
Its not the first i have tested but the cleanest and best price/mileage ratio. Woman owned with primarily commuting miles.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

The only thing that has failed on the transfrer cases is the o rings that seal the actuator. This is a common problem that causes a leak. Supposedly a 2k repair. Also on some the 4lo will not engage from not being used.

 

[yota_fan]

The only thing that has failed on the transfrer cases is the o rings that seal the actuator. This is a common problem that causes a leak. Supposedly a 2k repair. Also on some the 4lo will not engage from not being used.

Did that happen to you? Fix yourself?
how many miles is your 03? Do alot of off-roading?

 

[Desert Fox]

I just bought an '03 V8. It has 155,000 but it was a commuter car and the lady took good care to maintain it. Other than the cabin air filter which I think was original, but thats a different story.

See what kind of maintance history it has. Mechanical things wear out and need to be replaced at some point in time. If it was cared for it may last a bit longer.

You are doing the right thing by preparing a counter offer.
By the way, I am very happy with my 4Runner, even with the high miles. It give you a way to expand your mechanical knowledge.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

Did that happen to you? Fix yourself?
how many miles is your 03? Do alot of off-roading?

Yes mine did start leaking about 6 months ago at around 60k miles. Here are several links. do a search and you will find more. Also search lo range will not engage. I just made a catch pan mounted to the skid p[late with some oil dry inside a rag attached to it to catch the drips on mine. It does not drip much just enough to make a small mess on the garage floor. I do not intend to fix it.

Transfer case leak - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/33984-transfer-case-actuator-leaking.html

 

[Zuke]

Why not get an independent inspection by a mechanic.

 

[Uneek]

1. I would get the rotors replaced, most likely warped rotors.

2. Get the water pump replaced when you're doing the timing belt.

3. :iagree: with 03_4x4Runner. It's not the TC that fails, just the actuator and/or its seals. 4L engagement fails due to lack of cycling to 4L from time to time.

 

[Offroader5]

Mine has the same t-case actuator leak...and it's more like a "seap" than a drip leak.

Told the same thing...'bout $2k to fix because evidently the t-case has to be pulled from the truck and the case split in order to replace the o-ring (whole acutator gets swapped). When I start seeing oil stains below the truck after only a couple of hours in one spot...then I MIGHT start worrying about it.

 

[rockwall]

I have had zero problems on mine, but I only now have 52,000 miles. The rotors definitely need to be replaced. A good counter offer sounds like the way to go.

 

[yota_fan]

Thanks everyone for the help! :hatsoff:
I bought the T4R on Friday.

I did take it to the mechanic and he was really impressed with the mechanical condition of the truck. Which allowed me to exhale!
He priced for me the replacement of the original rotors, timing belt/water pump and the strut links (good for another 5,000-8,000)! Total about $1,200.

I took that to the owner and they dropped $1,000 off the asking price with hardly any hesitation!
SOLD!!

I drove down to Carolina Beach and onto the sand first thing the next morning and she handled the soft sand like a BOSS!
I couldn't be happier!! :driving:

 

[hgill]

congrats on the purchase. You are going to love it. Once all the maintenance is done, the beast will never let you down.