Got a bunch of maintenance done this weekend. First thing I did was clean the MAF sensor. I can't remember the last time I did this, but I think it's been awhile. It was pretty dirty.
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Unner Unner, on Flickr
Then I replaced the AC idler pulley with a new OEM Toyota part. I was getting a slight squeak on damp/wet starts and an occasional squeal if it was wet out. Hopefully this fixes it. The pulley definitely sounds a little rough spinning it off the truck compared to the new one.
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Unner Unner, on Flickr
The dipstick O ring had a lot of build up around it from what I assume is years of slightly leaking. I wiped the area as best as I could, blew it with compressed air, and then pulled the dipstick to replace the O ring. That took all of 10 minutes.
I also changed the oil cooler seals as I had a very slight oil leak from them as well. While I was in there I drained the coolant since it was due for a change, and replaced the oil cooler coolant hoses that I've had since I did the timing belt 2.5 years ago. These hoses really aren't as bad to replace as everyone says. A pair of needle nose vise grips got the hose clamps off that are on the oil cooler and block, a pair of medium size channel locks got the hose clamp at the water pump by feeding the pliers through the belt kinda. After that it's just a matter of breaking the hoses loose from the metal pipes which is fairly easily done with a pair of pliers and a slight twist. Pull the hoses, break the 24mm bolt holding the oil cooler on and try to get it out without making too much of a mess. Then clean it up, replace the O ring, and the washer seal/O ring that goes on the 24 mm bolt and put it back together. The tricky part is keeping the O ring that goes between the block and cooler in place. Mine fell out the first time, but thankfully stayed in the second time I tried. After that slide the new hoses on which is easier than taking the old ones off, fill up the coolant, run it for a bit, and then I changed the oil to make sure it wasn't contaminated. I only had 3k miles on it, but it's cheap insurance.
After this I pulled the skid plates, changed the transmission fluid, front diff fluid, and oil change mentioned above. I degreased the skid plate from the oil that spills on it during oil changes and also cleaned up the underside a little bit from the blown CV I had last summer, and the couple leaks I've fixed recently. Not perfect, but better. It'll get dirty anyway...
I've also had a very annoying rattle from the CB antenna mount. I fixed it for awhile with some door edge gaurd on the hatch, but that fell off and the rattle came back. I tried a few other options but nothing stopped it. Eventually I put some of the loop side of Velcro on it where it would rattle against the hatch. It seems to have cured 90% of the rattle.
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Unner Unner, on Flickr
I've also had a lot of rattling and some slight shaking coming from my rear swing out. I had a good bit of play in the handle, but nothing I tried fixed it. I hit a speed bump the other day and it sounded like someone was banging two pots together so I decided I have to do something about this. I checked everything and noticed the handle was moving a very little bit on the swing arm pivot bolt. I got the bolt to tighten maybe 1/16 of a turn, but that was all it needed to get rid of all the movement and the rattle. SO MUCH BETTER!
20180318_220252 by
Unner Unner, on Flickr
Then I checked out how the new shocks flex and how my old bump stops work with them. These pictures are with the passenger side fully extended, but the driver side is just starting to sit on the bump stop. There's probably another inch or so of compression left in the bump stop. So they're a little long, but they'll work for now. This is as much flex as I could get out of it without driving really far away. I got lots of looks from people out walking at the park...
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Unner Unner, on Flickr
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Unner Unner, on Flickr
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Unner Unner, on Flickr
I still have a slight rotation issue with them, but it isn't that bad. In 700 miles of street driving they've rotated just a little bit. I need to get under there and tighten the uppers a tad more and rotate the resi's on the shock body. Hopefully that'll stop it for good. I might get time to do that this week.
Then I gave the outside some love. The first bath in almost 4 months, and she shines really well. I forget how good it looks clean.
20180316_170423 by
Unner Unner, on Flickr
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Unner Unner, on Flickr
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Unner Unner, on Flickr
Drives unbelievably well for a rig with this many miles, and looks good too!
20180317_220250 by
Unner Unner, on Flickr
They're calling for severe weather with golf ball to tennis ball sized hail tomorrow here. Guess I'll fight for a spot in the parking garage in the morning...
