Vehicle essential maintenance

rodl

Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2013
Location
Rockwell
I recently bought a really nice piece. A 2001 Silverado that had been done the way I would have done it if, I had the time or money to do it the right way.
The truck is a 5.3 and has 135xxx on the odometer. Due to it not being driven much for the last year (1,200 miles in the last year). It sat alot and things I found neglected and just wore out from factory crap and poor quality parts.
Replaced the rear calipers due to sticking. Common problem...
Fuel filter was original.
K&N filter was BLACK. lol
All 8 of the front swaybar end link bushings were completely GONE! Rotted and fell the EFF off! lol
This is just simple stuff we need to look at to keep our rigs running and driving safely.
Any lifted truck needs attention to being tight about every 6-8k miles to keep them tight.
I drove it after each repair and it always showed signs of being better after each step.
The bushings were only $13 and took about 30-40 mins to fix, and I put poly bushings in for quality. Drives a WHOLE lot better now.

Anyone have a good story about how maintenance saved your rig or just was easy and fun to do, please add comments.
Thanks for looking!!!
 
I just put in similar parts on my truck. All new tre's and ball joints. Much less point and guess. Would love to do all poly. But $$ is always an issue.

Sent from my SCH-R530U using Tapatalk
 
The extended links on mine were what came with the lift, so all parts except bushings were alreay to be worked on. The stock pieces (rod and bushings) would be $10 a side, so poly was cheaper anyway ;-)
 
Remember being on a Trial Ride, & a somewhat new member, or visitor, snapped a driveshaft U joint. Rust fell out of the caps, & barley 1/2 the needle bearings, were left!
 
Any time I buy a new ride here is my list of things I do to make sure its top notch.

1.Change ALL fluids
2.Pressure test cooling system
3.Alignment
4.Balance tires if they are over 1/2 tread
5. Check compression and Replace Plugs and wires.
6. Replace any safety related or performance related issue causing parts that don't meet spec.
7.Drive it like it's a rental.

Yes it's time consuming and can be costly but so worth it in the end. I just took my xj with 325k on a 6hr drive no issues besides the heater core I haven't fixed yet.
Oh and one more thing Stock sucks so upgrade every part.
 
Back
Top