Basic Maintainence you should do after a trip/comp/wheeling
Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 12:10 pm
Ok guys. There doesn't seem to be much on here in one place for the maintainence that you should carry out after you do a trip or comp or a weekend wheeling.
Brakes:
Remove each wheel and remove each brake caliper and take the pads out and give everything a good clean with proper "brake clean". Check the pads and rotor for wear and grease up the slide pins with anti seize and then replace the pads and calipers. Its a good idea to use a little thread lock on the bolts as well. The blue thread lock is better than the red for this. Check all your brake lines for any sign of leaks or damage. Check the flexible brake lines from your diffs to the chassis to check if there is any sign of stretching or rubbing. Stretching means they are not long enough and if they are extended then they may rub on something.
Hubs:
Check the wiper seal to see if there are any leaks. With the wheel on, hold the wheel top and bottom and give it a shake (top to bottom) and see if there is any movement in the bearings and then hold the wheel front and rear and shake it again to see if there is any movement in the steering linkages. Remove the front hubs and check for any water inside. Check to see if the bearings are greased properly and adjust the tension of the bearings if needed.
Linkages:
While you have the wheels off, have a look at all the suspension linkages including the shock mounts and steering damper. Its a good idea to remove each end of the panhard and grease up the bushes. Check all the ball joints and check your steering box for leaks. Don't forget to check the steering shaft that goes from your steering box back to the steering wheel. Also don't forget to check the radius arm chassis mounts as well.
Springs:
Springs should be in resonable shape. They last pretty well. But check the spring mounts for any cracks and any misalignment that may indicate metal fatigue. Especially in the rear chassis mounts. While you're there check for any signs of cracking or fatigue around the chassis panhard mounts as well.
Fluids:
Check all your fluid levels and change them if needed. This includes diff, transfer, gearbox, engine, clutch, brake, battery, radiator and windscreen fluids. Physically check the condition of the oil in the diffs, gearbox and transfer by undoing the drain plug enough for some oil to leak out so you can see if it milky. If it is milky then you have water in the oil. Check the engine oil for the same thing just by using the dip stick. Check your fuel filter as well to make sure you have a clean fuel system.
Breather tubes:
Check all the breather tubes for wear and tear. Make sure they aren't cracked or undone from one end. There are breather tubes on the diffs, gearbox, transfer case and fuel tanks.
Drive shafts:
Get under the car and check your drive shafts for any visual damage. Grease up your uni joints and check the mounting bolts are done up properly.
Tyres:
Check over your tyres for any damage and also check the pressures. Check over the rims and make sure there isn't any rubbish in the beads and if you have bead locks then remove them and make sure they're all clean and damage free and then refit them.
Engine:
Check all belts and plug leads (if you have them) Check injector lines and pump for any leaks. (TD 42, check thimble fliter in top of injector pump). Check viscous fan and condition of the fan itself. Check radiator hoses and any vacuum lines. Check and clean air filter and replace if neeeded.
Electrical:
Check all your wiring in the engine bay and do a check of all your lights and electrical systems. Clean connectors and spray with an inhibitor to keep them clean and ready for use.
Overall:
Give the truck a good wash and make sure you get underneath and clean off any mud. Especially if you have been around water or salt. Touch up any exposed metal areas with paint.
If you do this then your truck will last your lifetime and then some. Hope this helps.
Steve
Brakes:
Remove each wheel and remove each brake caliper and take the pads out and give everything a good clean with proper "brake clean". Check the pads and rotor for wear and grease up the slide pins with anti seize and then replace the pads and calipers. Its a good idea to use a little thread lock on the bolts as well. The blue thread lock is better than the red for this. Check all your brake lines for any sign of leaks or damage. Check the flexible brake lines from your diffs to the chassis to check if there is any sign of stretching or rubbing. Stretching means they are not long enough and if they are extended then they may rub on something.
Hubs:
Check the wiper seal to see if there are any leaks. With the wheel on, hold the wheel top and bottom and give it a shake (top to bottom) and see if there is any movement in the bearings and then hold the wheel front and rear and shake it again to see if there is any movement in the steering linkages. Remove the front hubs and check for any water inside. Check to see if the bearings are greased properly and adjust the tension of the bearings if needed.
Linkages:
While you have the wheels off, have a look at all the suspension linkages including the shock mounts and steering damper. Its a good idea to remove each end of the panhard and grease up the bushes. Check all the ball joints and check your steering box for leaks. Don't forget to check the steering shaft that goes from your steering box back to the steering wheel. Also don't forget to check the radius arm chassis mounts as well.
Springs:
Springs should be in resonable shape. They last pretty well. But check the spring mounts for any cracks and any misalignment that may indicate metal fatigue. Especially in the rear chassis mounts. While you're there check for any signs of cracking or fatigue around the chassis panhard mounts as well.
Fluids:
Check all your fluid levels and change them if needed. This includes diff, transfer, gearbox, engine, clutch, brake, battery, radiator and windscreen fluids. Physically check the condition of the oil in the diffs, gearbox and transfer by undoing the drain plug enough for some oil to leak out so you can see if it milky. If it is milky then you have water in the oil. Check the engine oil for the same thing just by using the dip stick. Check your fuel filter as well to make sure you have a clean fuel system.
Breather tubes:
Check all the breather tubes for wear and tear. Make sure they aren't cracked or undone from one end. There are breather tubes on the diffs, gearbox, transfer case and fuel tanks.
Drive shafts:
Get under the car and check your drive shafts for any visual damage. Grease up your uni joints and check the mounting bolts are done up properly.
Tyres:
Check over your tyres for any damage and also check the pressures. Check over the rims and make sure there isn't any rubbish in the beads and if you have bead locks then remove them and make sure they're all clean and damage free and then refit them.
Engine:
Check all belts and plug leads (if you have them) Check injector lines and pump for any leaks. (TD 42, check thimble fliter in top of injector pump). Check viscous fan and condition of the fan itself. Check radiator hoses and any vacuum lines. Check and clean air filter and replace if neeeded.
Electrical:
Check all your wiring in the engine bay and do a check of all your lights and electrical systems. Clean connectors and spray with an inhibitor to keep them clean and ready for use.
Overall:
Give the truck a good wash and make sure you get underneath and clean off any mud. Especially if you have been around water or salt. Touch up any exposed metal areas with paint.
If you do this then your truck will last your lifetime and then some. Hope this helps.
Steve
