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buying a 91 sierra - issues

Tech Talk for Suzuki owners.

Moderators: lay80n, sierrajim

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Posts: 335
Joined: Sat Aug 05, 2006 11:21 pm
Location: Sunshine Coast

buying a 91 sierra - issues

Post by Taff »

Im looking at purchasing a private sale 1991 Sierra Hardtop. It has a few issues and im wondering if they are serious and maybe i should just steer totally clear of this one.

-The transfer case is leaking oil from the front and back seals.
-Windscreen is cracked
-Timing Cover seal(?) is leaking oil.
-The leaf Suspension needs replacing. I would probably get some lifted ones.

what bothers me most is the brake pedal pulsing, could this be the vacuum pump?

Other that that the body and chassis is in perfect condition, the engine has been reconditioned by SuziSport in brisbane, brakes/water pump/radiator have been recently replaced and it seems very well looked after.

Any estimates on how much it would be to fix it all and how hard it is to change the seals on sierra transfer case? i want to do it myself.

im hoping to get the car for under 3 and all repairs done for less than 4500 .. am i dreaming?

Thanks in advance - TAFF
Posts: 529
Joined: Thu Jun 03, 2004 6:07 am
Location: SEQ

Re: buying a 91 sierra - issues

Post by munga »

Taff wrote:Im looking at purchasing a private sale 1991 Sierra Hardtop. It has a few issues and im wondering if they are serious and maybe i should just steer totally clear of this one.

-The transfer case is leaking oil from the front and back seals.
-Windscreen is cracked
-Timing Cover seal(?) is leaking oil.
-The leaf Suspension needs replacing. I would probably get some lifted ones.

what bothers me most is the brake pedal pulsing, could this be the vacuum pump?

Other that that the body and chassis is in perfect condition, the engine has been reconditioned by SuziSport in brisbane, brakes/water pump/radiator have been recently replaced and it seems very well looked after.

Any estimates on how much it would be to fix it all and how hard it is to change the seals on sierra transfer case? i want to do it myself.

im hoping to get the car for under 3 and all repairs done for less than 4500 .. am i dreaming?

Thanks in advance - TAFF
pulsing brakes could simply be the rear drums being out-of-round. cheap as to get machined.
the seals are easy enough ($5-$15ea), if you have a seal puller (under $50 from Ripco, SuperCheat)
windscreen under $200 fitted.
pay what you want for suspension.
gimme 1500 and i'd do it with change mate (theoretically. I do not want to fix your shiat ;) )
ht zook with bog, rust and mt's

this is my wheelbase |<-------->|
Posts: 194
Joined: Sun Apr 13, 2003 4:01 pm
Location: Melbourne

Re: buying a 91 sierra - issues

Post by Boopa »

Taff wrote:Im looking at purchasing a private sale 1991 Sierra Hardtop. It has a few issues and im wondering if they are serious and maybe i should just steer totally clear of this one.

-The transfer case is leaking oil from the front and back seals.
-Windscreen is cracked
-Timing Cover seal(?) is leaking oil.
-The leaf Suspension needs replacing. I would probably get some lifted ones.

what bothers me most is the brake pedal pulsing, could this be the vacuum pump?

Other that that the body and chassis is in perfect condition, the engine has been reconditioned by SuziSport in brisbane, brakes/water pump/radiator have been recently replaced and it seems very well looked after.

Any estimates on how much it would be to fix it all and how hard it is to change the seals on sierra transfer case? i want to do it myself.

im hoping to get the car for under 3 and all repairs done for less than 4500 .. am i dreaming?

Thanks in advance - TAFF
....if it's any help I paid about 4k for my 91 Tin top just before christmas. Original engine, dirvetrain, suspension etc, just RWC stock rubber, , but very tidy body and interior., it needed unis and front axle seal for RWC. I reckon given that it's got a new donk etc, and if the body is tidy it's an ok buy.
'91 Tin top Zook...
Posts: 335
Joined: Sat Aug 05, 2006 11:21 pm
Location: Sunshine Coast

Re: buying a 91 sierra - issues

Post by Taff »

munga wrote: pulsing brakes could simply be the rear drums being out-of-round. cheap as to get machined.
the seals are easy enough ($5-$15ea), if you have a seal puller (under $50 from Ripco, SuperCheat)
windscreen under $200 fitted.
pay what you want for suspension.
gimme 1500 and i'd do it with change mate (theoretically. I do not want to fix your shiat ;) )
righto, is there anything else i should check for next time i look at it?
Posts: 529
Joined: Thu Jun 03, 2004 6:07 am
Location: SEQ

Post by munga »

dunno.
theyre pretty simple vehicles to work on, so anything wrong should be obvious. and used parts from other zookers is the easiest way..
ht zook with bog, rust and mt's

this is my wheelbase |<-------->|
Posts: 335
Joined: Sat Aug 05, 2006 11:21 pm
Location: Sunshine Coast

Post by Taff »

im going to go check out a few more before i decide, and will hopefully have a sierra in the next few weeks. you guys know of and good southeast QLD suzuki clubs?
Posts: 342
Joined: Mon Aug 01, 2005 4:18 pm
Location: Brisbane

Post by bluemq »

nbs4x4club.com
Posts: 529
Joined: Thu Jun 03, 2004 6:07 am
Location: SEQ

Post by munga »

www.nbs4x4club.com is the biggest club around bris for zooks. i wont say its good, because what might be good for one person doesnt mean its good for another, but theres a lot of zooks in one place so its a good start.
theres a good crowd hanging out at www.auszookers.com too. not a 'club' tho.
ht zook with bog, rust and mt's

this is my wheelbase |<-------->|
Posts: 335
Joined: Sat Aug 05, 2006 11:21 pm
Location: Sunshine Coast

Post by Taff »

Thanks alot guys, cant wait to have my sierra :D
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