Cupid,
I bought one of those gizmos that enable you to flush out the hydraulics single handed. It certainly saves getting the other half to get out of her comfortable chair (knitting?) at the time I needed a hand (oops, foot). Used it a few times on the GU. The cost was far less than what a garage charges after a couple of services.
I also bought a long (1m) breaker bar to get the drain plug out if the Nissan's gearbox - had no idea as to how tight those plugs were! I thought the cast iron case was in danger of cracking!

I did the hydraulics once a year - I note, Isuzu recommend doing it at two yearly periods so I might have to sneak in a couple myself. I also note they advise greasing the universals on the drive shaft every 15,000km!! The slider, yes - but not the universals if one doesn't want the seals to pop!

I saw too many stuffups from outside mechanics - at least I knew what was done, and saved some dollars as well. As I said above, the specialists got the work I couldn't do.

Warren-Pat_01 wrote:

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Cupid,
I bought one of those gizmos that enable you to flush out the hydraulics single handed. It certainly saves getting the other half to get out of her comfortable chair (knitting?) at the time I needed a hand (oops, foot). Used it a few times on the GU. The cost was far less than what a garage charges after a couple of services.
I also bought a long (1m) breaker bar to get the drain plug out if the Nissan's gearbox - had no idea as to how tight those plugs were! I thought the cast iron case was in danger of cracking!

I did the hydraulics once a year - I note, Isuzu recommend doing it at two yearly periods so I might have to sneak in a couple myself. I also note they advise greasing the universals on the drive shaft every 15,000km!! The slider, yes - but not the universals if one doesn't want the seals to pop!

I saw too many stuffups from outside mechanics - at least I knew what was done, and saved some dollars as well. As I said above, the specialists got the work I couldn't do.

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 Warren ..

Thanks for the tips.   

I'll have a look at the breaker bar & hydraulic fluid thingo once I can get out of the house in a few months.

Aus-Kiwi wrote:

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66 year old. Do my own servicing . Mainly oil changes . Pads in brakes . Have decent floor jack if required . Hardly need a jack on truck type vehicle if you park one side up on curb etc . Mazdas the changes are well know to empty and fill straight away . No big issue there unless your looking at an excuse not to do it !!! I like putting in top quality oils . I cannot trust anyone to use these oils . Besides its more a time and hassle to get it serviced . Bushes etc are checked in NSW every year . Well ? They should be to get pink slip !!

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 Good oils. 

Yep I agree.  When I first got the GQ with <50,000k on it, on the advice of our mechanic, I replaced all oils with Penrite & have only used their oils over the last 20years or so.  HPR30 seems to be the right engine oil.