Ratsack's 90 Series Prado

[Steevo Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steevo]

I had my blue tongue compressor under bonnet and never had a problem. I think as long as its not too close to exhaust etc (hot bits) which is why I mounted mine where I did D/S in front of firewall. Under the bonnet you cant get much further away from the motor than that. I've had this compressor over 8 years now

[ratsack Member Find all posts View Profile Close ratsack]

Anyone got pictures of how you mounted it? Do you mount it on its side and just put screws into the firewall through the base of the compressor? Or L brackets and mount it normally on those?

[Steevo Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steevo]

Gday mate I haven't got pics but it had a bracket that come with it and just bolted that to the inner guard in front of firewall, it was tight but fitted ok. Mine apparently has to be upright when running.

[Steevo Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steevo]

I did have pics but computer we had back then crapped itself and lost them

[ratsack Member Find all posts View Profile Close ratsack]

What Prado did you have, petrol or diesel?
I had a look earlier and because ours is a petrol, the only place I can really put it is somewhere near the passengers side firewall (probably need to move some stuff around) or on top of the wheel arch on the drivers side. Think I might just end up putting it in the boot somewhere.

[ratsack Member Find all posts View Profile Close ratsack]

On a slightly different note, how often should I be changing the brake pads and rotors? Lately, they've started squeeling more and more. Would the pads need changing? And if so, what should I replace them with?

[ratsack Member Find all posts View Profile Close ratsack]

I've started to notice a slight vibration/humming type noise coming from the vehicle. It won't do it all the time (intermittent) but is mostly heard when doing probably 70km/h+. Anyone have any ideas as to what this could be?
I did read on LCool that if they grease prop shaft yokes too much that this can cause it so I might look there first. But because this is basically my first experience at working on my own vehicle, I'm not really sure what to look for. The article is here; Driveline Vibrations on LCool.org
Sounds like what it could be but is there any other suggestions?

[ratsack Member Find all posts View Profile Close ratsack]

Well, the front/rear center shaft was pretty dry so we gave it some grease. 3 nipples are also broken/missing so need to get some to fix that. But, the issue is still there.
Vibrating isn't really noticeable until around 80km/h and the faster you go, the worse it gets. It's consistent now and I can't say how long it's been happening. I thought it had only been since the weekend but I don't think that's the case. We had to keep our dog at my sisters house until he learns to stop sulking/barking when we aren't around. Because of him, 90% of our hi-way driving is done with the windows done and the only time you notice the vibration is with the windows up.
We went for a drive on Saturday morning and hit a bump and the front end got some air so I'm not sure if that's caused it (it didn't seem very rough and the suspension soaked it up very well). My brother-in-law seems to think it's the wheels (maybe a weight fell off at some stage) as they're really the only thing that actually increase speed as the vehicle does. Everything else seems to just keep the same rev's so if it was the driveline, it should do it at 60km/h at the same rev's. If that makes sense?

Anyway, I'm going to rotate the tyres on the weekend (they're basically due for it anyway) and going to see if that makes a difference. Does anyone have any other suggestions?
It drives me nuts and makes it want to run it off the road into a tree!

[Ian Reid Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ian Reid]

I had a vibration that appeared at about 90 k. Started after a bit of bush bashing. Felt it through steering. Tried balancing etc. ended up replacing front tires to get rid of it.


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[ratsack Member Find all posts View Profile Close ratsack]

It doesn't seem to be in the steering. Steering feels alright. Thanks though! I hope it isn't the tires, they're only 20000km old!

[ratsack Member Find all posts View Profile Close ratsack]

Well, rotated the tires earlier but didn't change a thing. There is a bit of movement in the front and rear shafts so might just change all the uni-joints and see how that goes.
Also got a few grease niples this morning so will fit them up at some stage.

[ratsack Member Find all posts View Profile Close ratsack]

Well, just removed the front shaft and took it for a test, the noise/vibration is still there. Plan on getting some new universal joints all around for it and we'll see how that goes.

Just one question, is it fine to drive in 4HL with the front driveshaft removed for maybe a couple of days?

[ratsack Member Find all posts View Profile Close ratsack]

Replace the 2 uni joints in the front prop shaft yesterday arvo. Plan on doing the uni joint in the rear prop shaft sometime this weekend and will chuck a set of 17" tires on it just to rule out my tires.
My brother in law thinks that it might be either my wheel alignment or tires and said he thinks (from a quick measurement) that I might have a slight bit of toe-out. I guess I can only report back on the weekend and see what happens from there.
If it still isn't solved with different tires and replacing the rear uni joint then next on the list is a wheel alignment and balance.

Someone else in the internet also said this;

I am referring to steering rack, not the rod end closer to the wheels. When removed, the ball shaft was loose but no noticeable play. One was looser than the other.

So I guess if it still isn't fixed with what I plan to do, that'll be next on the list. /sigh.

[ratsack Member Find all posts View Profile Close ratsack]

Well... Replaced the rear uni joint this afternoon and 90% of the vibration is gone. I'll be regreasing every 7000km or so from now on and I think I'll keep doing my own services. Got its 150000km service done a few months back and I'm fairly sure they didn't even touch the driveshaft grease nipples.

So glad it's mostly gone! I think to fix it completely, I'll probably have to replace the double uni joint section on the rear prop shaft (closest to the transmission). Not sure what that section is called and the parts manual didn't have a part number for it?

Also, got a recovery hook for the LHS front of the vehicle and a tire deflator today. Probably get a rear hitch recovery point in a couple of weeks.

Now it's time to save for a roof rack!!

[ratsack Member Find all posts View Profile Close ratsack]

Probably do a service once we get back from the Vic High Country this weekend but I can't remember which oil I got last time I did it (around 16000km ago as mechanic did the last one). Can anyone tell me what oil specs I should go/look for?
Also, do I need to do anything with the air filter when I replace it? I've read of people oiling them? Do I need to do that?
Anything else I need to remember for when I do it? I know I need to lube the seal before installing the new oil filter.