Okay, so most of the regular users will have gethered that I do a bit of work on vehicles, mainly 4x4's, so here's something to think about.
Today I had to look at a Land Cruiser that had a bit of an issue with a noise from the front hubs. After stripping them down the grease, that should be lubricating the bearings, was like a milk shake, obviously a few river crossings have taken place.
I'm sure that the most discerning owners will study the owners handbook about service schedules and when to have diff's, axle, transfer case oils, etc checked and changed. BUT, be aware, that a lot of them are referring to "normal" operation........... This means on the bitumen and NOT seeing any real action on the rugged stuff!!
Just have a think about what you do with your vehicle and how that MAY affect the NORMAL service requirements that the lovely manufacturers recommend. I know on my own 2011 LC V8 Cruiser, there is NO schedule for the fuel filter, it relies upon the quality of the fuel going in and the pressure of the fuel going through the filter to tell you "it needs changing". The air cleaner looked pretty ordinary after a trip up the mine roads through Tom Price, and the cabin filter was looking a bit tired after a week in Karijini NP.
A good tip is to carry a spare fuel filter, air filter, and the abilty to change your engine oil and filter. Also, if going through river crossings, think about getting your hubs serviced a bit more often than the book says.
Hope this helps
Mark
-- Edited by Mark on Wednesday 26th of June 2013 11:22:57 PM
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Mark & Linda
A man who asks a question is a fool for five minutes, but ask no questions and your a fool for life!!
Good advice Mark, the other thing regarding hubs is, dont let tyre people use rattle guns on the wheel nuts. I recently replaced my tyres and the young lad broke a wheel stud on my LC. The manager said it was nothing and easily replaced. Well luckily I had the tools including a press and some basic know how as it was not that easy and I'm sure would have cost a pretty penny at Toyota's. From now on, no one will ever use a rattle gun on my vehicle. Rgds RR
Good advice Mark, the other thing regarding hubs is, dont let tyre people use rattle guns on the wheel nuts. I recently replaced my tyres and the young lad broke a wheel stud on my LC. The manager said it was nothing and easily replaced. Well luckily I had the tools including a press and some basic know how as it was not that easy and I'm sure would have cost a pretty penny at Toyota's. From now on, no one will ever use a rattle gun on my vehicle. Rgds RR
Absolutley right!!
$250 easily to replace a stud, you did well Road Runner.
__________________
Mark & Linda
A man who asks a question is a fool for five minutes, but ask no questions and your a fool for life!!
Good advice Mark re just relying on the manufactor service book of what ever brand name vehicle one owns
to have the vehicle serviced.
After just getting back from up the top end ,son has booked his beloved Troopy in for a full service,even though it was only serviced just before we left.
I gave his New Crossover camper a good going over yesterday,after two days of cleaning all the Bloody Red Dust off every thing I was surprised to find how good these campers are sealed inside to keep the dust out (in places it is like fine talcum powder up there and in other places near creek crossings can be thick gooey mess ) The amount of dust inside was really only from us getting in and out of it....We took our swags and had to have them on top of Troopy roof racks ,they will never be that army green again ,the red dust has penetrated the canvas.So at least every time we need to use our swags, we will remember our trip up the Cape.
I am borrowing the Crossover from him for awhile,as wife and I will be heading back up north again for a while,to where I have no idea at this stage. ..Easier than tacking our van,due to it being all set up in van park re work.!!! Do not know how the other half will cope in the camper, but give it a go and see if she can handle it. These campers have all the bells and whistles, and it towed like it wasn't even there.The new suspension they use now makes a hell of a difference also.The Tare is 1220kg is only 70kg more than the classic XL and maintains the same 120 ball weight.
