Faults:
The following items are not considered as "things gone wrong with the car", but merely as wear & tear parts. Each and every car part is not expected or engineered to "last forever", thus requiring maintenance/ replacement.
Maintenance performed on the below items, except for tire mounting & balancing were completed by myself, with reference of auto repair manuals and with minimal hand/power tools.
Passenger rear door window motor @ 114,000 miles.
Drivers side rear door lock actuator @ 152,000 miles (damaged and replaced by auto body shop).
Front/rear shocks (1st time replacing) @ 144.000 miles (normal wear&tear parts).
Windshield @ 152,000 miles (normal wear & tear).
Top weatherstrip for rear windshield @ 152,000 miles.
Recall for front ball joints @ 93,000 miles.
A/C compressor, accumulator/dryer, front & rear expansion valves and fan belt @ 155,000 miles.
Thermostat, top&lower radiator hoses @ 144,000 miles (normal wear & tear).
Spark plugs & plug wire set replacement, transaxle, transfer case, differential flush (s) and door hardware lubrication are my next scheduled preventive/performance maintenance tasks.
Other routine maintenance/wear & tear parts include: brake pads & rotors, tires, oil & air filters, headlamp & tail lamp bulbs, windshield wiper blades, etc.
General Comments:
This vehicle, like anything else you value, is only as good as you take care of it. I don't have extra money to burn these days. Knowing that, I pay closer attention to what my car is or is not doing. I will ask opinions from auto shops/dealers only picking their brain (s) about hints on the repairs/parts. Usually when buying a part, they will be generous on replacement/installation tips.
Learning and doing repairs yourself will save you big $$$
This is especially true with older models. Newer models are engineered in mind that you usually have to purchase specialty tools for the repair. Most new specialty tools are designed for one specific model, meaning that you can't use it for anything else. Brake tools, removal devices and special wrenches are examples of costly specialty tools.
The best investment for anyone could be a vehicle repair/maintenance manual supplemental to the original owners/operation manual.
21st May 2010, 18:15
Hard to believe that a truck with 130k would have problems...