Draker's Tacoma Thread

[DRIVEN]

also like the running boards, thought I'd better say something so others will notice.

I noticed. Looks good.

[draker]

I'd do a white NWD sticker

[izzo]

I dig running boards.

Seems running boards are either one way or the other. Either you like them or you don't. Like spoke wheels... Doesn't seem to be a middle ground either like em or hate em...


I like them on this truck... Truck looks straight off a yota commercial. just add beach.

[draker]

I dig em.. helps keep the seats from getting that slide in and out wear pattern.

Next, bug deflector and window vents. Bought some window vents but they are the stick on type.. not digging them.

[draker]

[draker]

Valve cover gaskets, plugs, wires, PCV.. gaskets.. blah blah.


Got a little tiny oil seeping out of the passenger side cover. Can't be having that..

[BLUE]

Ahhhhh.... the smell of winning !

[izzo]

wow. I see why they just put plastic covers over those motors Lol.

[draker]

One valve cover gasket replaced. StRted on the drivers side.... The difficult side. I could have got it done but I got hit by the golf bug.. and quit working on it. Will resume tomorrow.

[izzo]

Oh lawd. The dreaded Golf bug lol. Much needed with all the work you been doing.

[draker]

Learned an important lesson today.

I thought dropping one socket in a modern engine bay was a nightmare. Try dropping all of them.

Still searching....

Lesson: socket trays stay in the tool box.

If this was a customer's car, I'd be losing money at this point.

[DRIVEN]

BOOOOO!

[draker]

Still haven't found them all. I'm going to change the oil anyway.. I'll pull both skid plates off and do more digging.

[510freak]

They are there..somewhere

[draker]

Don't think I ever found all the sockets I dropped..

Changed the oil today and took that opportunity to fix a few other 'while your in there' things. (more like while your motivated..)

Fixed the cannopy door.. I used to have to slam the shit out of to get one side to close.
Fixed plastics on the rear bumper that used to rub the bottom of the tailgate every time I'd open it. Scratching the fuck out of every time... I just heated them up and bent them so they wouldn't touch anymore.

Also, I've noticed since I had the truck there was some fluid leaking from the drivers side rear brake drum. First thing I noticed were the lugs were tighter than a 12 year old. Back injury, you sick fuckers.

I had a two flat tires repaired recently.. both tires the lugs were obviously slammed on with a impact.. Not happy. Anyway, removed tire. Drum slid off no problem. Inside everything hammered with oil. Too bad cause the brakes are in good shape. All OEM parts..

The wheel cylinder was dry.

Could not tell by smell if it was gear oil.. cause my hands were saturated with oil from the oil change. Checked the rear diff fluid level, a little low.

Looks like the axle seal has failed. Most likely cause of axle seal failures.. worn wheel bearing, diff breather plugged, or bent axle. My guess is probably one of the first 2. This is a pavement pounder. Not sure of it's life previously, but everything is pretty clean.

On the todo list:

Inspect diff breather,
Inspect wheel bearing,
Replace axle seal,
Replace wheel bearing(if needed)
Replace rear brake shoes.

-After that is done I need to look at the steering and suspension in the front. Lower ball joints and inner tie rods are suspect.
-I need new tires.. they have some life but are starting to crack.
-Need to have front rotors turned and install new pads. I've got a brake shimmy. It was there before dumb fuck killed my lugs.

Other than that, runs and drives great. At 150k, some things are starting to show their age.

[draker]

That post is hideous. I should have taken at least one picture of the work I did today.

[DRIVEN]

Heads up on that bearing, it's kinda like a Datsun where the backing plate floats in there. Bearing is an absolute whore to get off and on. Get some sucker shop to agree to RR the bearing if you carry in the axle. It'll be money well spent. Pulling the axle is no biggie. You're more than capable of doing the job but the last one I did required a special puller, 2 guys, and a torch. You've been warned.

[draker]

Heads up on that bearing, it's kinda like a Datsun where the backing plate floats in there. Bearing is an absolute whore to get off and on. Get some sucker shop to agree to RR the bearing if you carry in the axle. It'll be money well spent. Pulling the axle is no biggie. You're more than capable of doing the job but the last one I did required a special puller, 2 guys, and a torch. You've been warned.

Thanks for the heads up. I'm hoping it's the breather.. lol.

I'll have someone install on the axle as recommended. Here I was thinking this is my excuse to by a press.

[Laecaon]

Driven helped me with my goon rear axle bearings and seal. I did a Titans axle. Cant imagine its that much harder. But unless you have a press to put the new ones on I wouldnt bother. Both times we just cut the bearings off.

[draker]

I'll inspect the bearing but I don't notice any noise or anything. Could be the breather is clogged. I kind of hope it is cause it's way cheaper and easier to deal with. Thanks for the tips guys.