Ratsack's 90 Series Prado

[ratsack Member Find all posts View Profile Close ratsack]

OK! Doing the service either one afternoon this week or on Sunday.

I also want to do the brakes a week or 2 after as they're squeaking is annoying me. I assume I have to inspect the rotors to see if they need replacing or not? Car has 155000km now so would it be due for rotors anyway or??? Also, where do I find what thickness the rotor should be?
I want to do the handbrake at some stage as well but I think I'll leave that for when I see my brother or father next as that's a bit more time consuming and fiddly.

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

OK! Doing the service either one afternoon this week or on Sunday.

I also want to do the brakes a week or 2 after as they're squeaking is annoying me. I assume I have to inspect the rotors to see if they need replacing or not? Car has 155000km now so would it be due for rotors anyway or??? Also, where do I find what thickness the rotor should be?
I want to do the handbrake at some stage as well but I think I'll leave that for when I see my brother or father next as that's a bit more time consuming and fiddly.

Hey mate,
You should buy yourself a Prado workshop manual as it'll help you with all the wear specifications for pad/rotors, sparks, torque wrench settings, etc. I always have a manual for the cars that I own and keep them in the car, well worth it!

I don't believe rotors have a maximum life in years, just their minimum thickness (sorry, I don't have a workshop manual with me right now). You can remove them and take them to a brake shop for machining, or replace them entirely for approximately twice the cost. Given you are hearing some squealing, it's likely the pads are worn and the rotors have been damaged by the pad's wearing indicator. If it were me, I'd consider replacing the rotors with new slotted rotors (slotted, not drilled).

One of the important things to do is combine your brake servicing together at one time, ie, machine (or replace) the rotors every time you replace the brake pads, along with a full flush of the brake fluid. Use brand new (previously unopened) brake fluid, as different fluids cannot be mixed and they are all affected by air/moisture.

Also, whilst everything is off, have a good look at the rubber seals which surround the caliper pistons. If the rubber seals are damaged in any way, dirt would be entering the piston and will cause them to seize along with reduced braking ability. If you find this, the calipers need to be rebuild by a brake specialist. They can be rebuilt at home, but as you're only starting out with home maintenance I'd suggest letting a professional do the job this time round. If that ends up being the case, you'll have to decide whether to remove the calipers yourself, or drive the entire vehicle to a professional after you've completed the rotor/pad/fluid maintenance.

Another thing to consider, as you're going to be doing a lot of car modifications/maintenance in the next few years, is to buy yourself a quality torque wrench. They're very useful for working on IFS and brakes to prevent over tightening and breakages - or the opposite - not tight enough! I use a Warren & Brown bar torque wrench which cost around $300. Warren & Brown wrenches have a simple design compared to other wrenches, but they are cheaper than other quality wrenches, accurate and very reliable. Don't waste money on a cheap wrench (under $150), you'd be better off without it.

[ratsack Member Find all posts View Profile Close ratsack]

Oil change took me around 1.5 hours (that's setting up and fiddling around).

Good things;
Appears everything went well
Nothing made me angry
Found a rubber mount for under one side of my LED bar (bolts rattled loose at the end of the Vic High Country and one side fell off)

Bad things;
While putting the underbody protection on, I snapped a bolt. I knew it wasn't gonna go but just didn't care (it was the last bolt). Will get my brother in law to come help me get the piece out and put a new bolt in.


I see the next service (160000km) is meant to be another big one. Pretty broke at the moment.
Glen, the next service is meant to have the valve clearances checked. The mechanic I last used said that he probably wouldn't worry about it but I'm not sure he had a whole lot to do with these engines. Do you think it's something worth doing?

[ratsack Member Find all posts View Profile Close ratsack]

Brakes are getting worse so I might get some local prices tomorrow and see how they compare with ebay prices.
I got suggested by a mate to go PBR rotors (or DBA if I want to spend a bit more). Currently thinking about PBR792 and PBR793 unless someone can give a reason not to or alternatives? They're ~$110/pair.
For pads, I got told to go for Bendix pads. Looking at going DB1200 (rear) and DB1323 (front) at $75/pair.
Any suggestions for brake fluid?

Spark plugs are also due soon and I got told to go NGK but not sure what I'm actually looking for?

A couple more questions;
How often should I change the diff and transmission oils?
I think the fuel filter is due next service, where abouts is it located? Is it fairly easy to change?

[ratsack Member Find all posts View Profile Close ratsack]

Brake parts have been ordered and when I have a bit more money I'll be ordering a workshop manual and spark plugs. Just need to get some new brake fluid and when the parts arrive, I'll change everything over.
Has anyone changed the handbrake drum parts? Was it hard? My brother in law said we could do that around the same time as well. Ended up getting Bendix HD front/rear brake pads and DBA rotors. All up around $400.

Decided to get NGK BKR5EIX-11 spark plugs. Will order them in a couple of weeks.

Also, yesterday I fixed my f-ups with the bash plate bolts. Had to retap a few holes and stuff but got there in the end.
Will probably check over the roof rack this arvo as one bolt fell out the other day. Will get some nylock nuts for it soon and put some locktite on the others.

[ratsack Member Find all posts View Profile Close ratsack]

Brake pads arrived today. Hopefully the brake rotors turn up tomorrow. Once these are all replaced, I might take the old rotors to a local brake specialist and just see if they are worth keeping or not.

Probably end up taking the Prado for a fun drive on Sunday so would like the brakes sorted before then!

[ratsack Member Find all posts View Profile Close ratsack]

Brake rotors arrived today but didn't pick them up until late. Not gonna get time to replace them before Sunday. Just gives me something to do Sunday arvo when we get home.

[ratsack Member Find all posts View Profile Close ratsack]

Replaced the front pads yesterday but was waiting on my brother in law to drop off his breaker bar. By the time he got here, it was too late to do the rotors. Will be doing the front rotors, rear rotors and pads, and a brake fluid flush this afternoon hopefully.

Plan to go for a bit of a drive Wednesday or Thursday afternoon with a guy in a 80 series Cruiser (6" lift, 33's...). Curious to see how it goes compared to the Prado. Haha!

Where abouts is the fuel filter located?

[Jeepster Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jeepster]

The fuel filter is on the left of the car just ahead of the aux fuel tank if I remember correctly.

[ratsack Member Find all posts View Profile Close ratsack]

The fuel filter is on the left of the car just ahead of the aux fuel tank if I remember correctly.

Thanks mate.

Have been having weird noises coming from the rear left wheel after replacing the brakes and adjusting the handbrake. Pulled the rear disc off this afternoon and the pin, spring and washers had come off one of the shoes. Going to hopefully see a wrecker tomorrow and get some replacements. I also seen THIS on Ebay so not sure whether to order the kit or just get the parts I need from the wreckers.

[ratsack Member Find all posts View Profile Close ratsack]

Well, the handbrake shoes needed some parts so I ordered that kit on ebay. After removing the faulty side and tying the cable out the way just before we got home the other side had the same issue. Replaced all the springs, washes, and pins and all good. This was probably a month ago now.

Have just moved back to Bundaberg (QLD) and started a new job. This is where I grew up so a lot of my mates live here and are into 4WD'ing. They said they'd help with making up some sliders (as I have no idea what I'm doing) in a few weeks time. Hopefully once they're sorted, I can convince them to also help me with some brush bars.
I only have around 2 months until the baby is here so I want to get as much done before that as possible.

Also, before we left NSW, I got a roof bag so it was easier to pack stuff for the trip. Only $60 on ebay and so far, it isn't too bad. Not waterproof but would probably be OK with light showers and stuff. Will come in very handy.

EDIT: Prado is also due for a service soon. Will be doing air/fuel/oil filters, oil change, and spark plugs. Starting to blow white smoke as well which I do not like at all. Only does it when cold, for now.

[ratsack Member Find all posts View Profile Close ratsack]

Well, long time since I've done an update.

Replaced the spark plugs, fitted a Tigerz11 2m x 2.5m awning, fitted new (to me - second hand) wetsuit seat covers, hooked up a USB/ciggy outlet under the back seats, and fitted a cooler for a center console on the weekend. Very happy with how the Prado currently is.

[ratsack Member Find all posts View Profile Close ratsack]

Prado is going for a QLD RWC on Monday.
Also got a Waeco 35L (TC-35FL-AC) cooler today for $180 (used) which should be better then the 21L I was using. And some Hella old school spotlights yesterday for $20 which I'm going to try and fit on the bullbar with the lightbar.

Prado also currently has a noisy air-conditioner compressor pulley/bearing which is annoying me but I doubt I'll get it fixed as I imagine it won't be cheap.
Will probably be covering the center console mount and rear storage in carpet in the next month or so as well.

[ratsack Member Find all posts View Profile Close ratsack]

Also got some short footage of when I've been out lately.

http://youtu.be/s_sZ-8fRMfo
http://youtu.be/qrZxp1wsEEE

I got stuck on the rear towbar here:

[ratsack Member Find all posts View Profile Close ratsack]

Went for a RWC the other day and the Prado requires a new rear main, seals for L/R of the front diff, new uni's on the center shafts and a wheel alignment. Will be getting it all done when I have the money and also getting the mechanic to fix the noise with the A/C pulley/bearing.
After that's all done, I will be doing a full service (diffs, coolant/radiator flush, air/oil filters and new oils for engine and transmission) and getting someone to cut out the center muffler for a nicer sound.

Got some different sliders the other day that will need to be cut/modified to fit so will do that one weekend with a mates dad.
Have also just ordered a bash plate to replace the stock one as it's getting worn out. Ordered from BushSkinz 4x4 for $300 inc postage.

Little bit of money will be getting spent but hopefully that just means it won't require it again for a little while