worn out?

[zig]

How can you tell if the shocks are going out, and how long should they last? I've put a lot of miles on the ol' 4 runner and am getting ready to put new tires on, and don't want to waste the money on a new set in another year if they wear from bad shocks. I currently have the tires rotated every 7.5 K, so haven't noticed any weird wear.

Another thing, how many miles have our alternators been getting before breaking down?

I've got an '03 V8 SR5 4WD.

Thanks!

 

[mikes4runner]

How can you tell if the shocks are going out, and how long should they last? I've put a lot of miles on the ol' 4 runner and am getting ready to put new tires on, and don't want to waste the money on a new set in another year if they wear from bad shocks. I currently have the tires rotated every 7.5 K, so haven't noticed any weird wear.

Another thing, how many miles have our alternators been getting before breaking down?

I've got an '03 V8 SR5 4WD.

Thanks!

Need more info...like how many miles is on it. the easy way to tell when shocks go is they bottom out or they leak. shocks won't make your tires wear.

Your Alternator will last as long as you don't try to keep a old battery going longer then it should then it can take your Alternator out.

Mike

 

[hossmaster]

Yea, need more info. Shocks are a variable, depends on how you drive, where you drive, what you drive over. If they are not visibly leaking then its up to you where the threshold is. On my Tacoma, wildly bouncing up and down while taking a highway interchange was enough for me. The TRD shocks had 85k miles on them. Now I have high end coilovers on them and really don't have to worry anymore. Alternator is like previously mentioned, if you don't overtax it or constantly get it wet or filled with mud it should last a long time. If it goes out, you can probally rebuild it since the brushes are usually the first thing to go.

 

[Kmvreter]

How can you tell if the shocks are going out, and how long should they last?

Toyota shocks should last a long time. Worrying about it on an '03 seem premature. Test them by repeatedly pushing on the corner bumper area until you get the truck moving up and down (so it starts to "wave".) Then give it one last push down and let go. It should settle within one "cycle" up and back down. If it keeps waving wildly then they are shot. Try each corner of the truck. Go to a stealership and try the same experiment on a new one to compare.

 

[zig]

I've got a little over 98K on it, the greatest majority of which is highway or interstate driving (I haven't needed to change my original brake pads if that tells you anything). I haven't really been wheeling enough to matter, just whatever I would do while hunting and fishing, nothing hard core.

I just got my tires changed yesterday, and planning on the timing belt next week. Just getting close to the "unexpected/unplanned" break down list.

Of course as soon as the stock shocks go out, ya know that you've got to upgrade. :rocker:

 

[mikes4runner]

Of course as soon as the stock shocks go out, ya know that you've got to upgrade. :rocker: [/B]

Oh I see you are just looking for a reason to upgrade.

Here you go:

What :awais: All highway miles no hardcore off road use those shocks are shot and I mean shot this is a huge safety issue you should not drive that truck untill you do some major upgrades quick....shame on you !!!! I am sick now.




















Mike

 

[zig]

I like your attitude!:rocker:

If only the wife would see it that way. :bash:

 

[Sac State]

Yeah, you don't want your Runner pulling an Exploder move and flipping. I highly suggest getting an upgraded suspension/shocks.

 

[schneidermj]

Good question about the alternator. I have just over 31k and do take it out wheeling and noticed the distinct sound of a bad alternator. I took it in and Toyota is giving me grief about it. Because the engine bay had "dust" in it they may not pick-up the tab because I destroyed the part by going 4 wheeling. What the hell! Anyone else out there having any problems?

 

[Koz]

Re: Re: worn out?

Toyota shocks should last a long time. Worrying about it on an '03 seem premature. Test them by repeatedly pushing on the corner bumper area until you get the truck moving up and down (so it starts to "wave".) Then give it one last push down and let go. It should settle within one "cycle" up and back down. If it keeps waving wildly then they are shot. Try each corner of the truck. Go to a stealership and try the same experiment on a new one to compare.

:iagree:

Koz

 

[hossmaster]

Good question about the alternator. I have just over 31k and do take it out wheeling and noticed the distinct sound of a bad alternator. I took it in and Toyota is giving me grief about it. Because the engine bay had "dust" in it they may not pick-up the tab because I destroyed the part by going 4 wheeling. What the hell! Anyone else out there having any problems?

Try tapping it with a wrench and see if any crud falls out of it. A buddy on mine had his alternator light come on and it was just dried up mud and crap in there. He just tapped it and the light went off. Also wash the engine bay out after wheeling, all of that stuff in there will thank you for it.

 

[schneidermj]

They took the alternator out and sent it to a local alternator shop to take it apart to see what the problem was. The mechanic stated that it was clean and that there was no "crud" in there. I believe I just have a dud. They're going to put new bearings in and see how it runs. We'll go from there.

 

[brick privy]

Re: Re: worn out?

shocks won't make your tires wear.

bad shocks will wear out your tires. its called "cupping". if you look at the side of the tire, cupping will make the edge of the tire where the tread meets the sidewall look wavy. i mean big waves, won't be perfectly round.