The Toyota Landcruiser Owners Club

[Nuclear Chicken]

Not a happy camper. Discovered a brake fluid leak in my LC5. Only noticed it when the fluid light came on on the dash. I initially thought it was a bit low and that the garage had overlooked it. I checked it again the next day and it was a bit low again. Then I put two and two together and linked it to the wet patch in the garage that never dried up. (It had been raining and was easy to overlook against the water the cars drip onto the floor). I had a quick look underneath and saw that the flexible hose/pipe connection where it connects onto the rear axle was leaking. Corrosion being the culprit. Bloody salty winter roads and living by the sea being the major suspects. A trip to the dealer for a parts quote throws up a bill for £160 (2 fixed pipe sections, 2 flexibles and some sundries). They estimated 3 to 4 hours labour. *beep* that I'll do it myself. I have to say, I'm suprised at the amount of general surface rust underneath for a car only 5 years onld that has a 12 year paint warranty. Just goes to show that cleaning under is important too. Reinforces the need for some Waxoyl sooner rather than later and I'll need to get it up on a lift for that.

Diesel tank has to come out to get at the fixed pipe sections. Just my luck. I've that done and the lowered it myself, on the garage floor (using two small trolley jacks) with about 40l diesel in it! Removing the tank guard went well with only one stud breaking in the chassis. I've successfully managed to drill that one out. Most were murder tight but eventually opened under duress. Another stud holding a small bracket was seized solid and corroded too so I took that one off with the grinder. I can refix the bracket with a beam clamp which will work fine as there is no appreciable physical load on the bracket. I also managed to loosen the 'good' end of the flexible hose where it meets the pipes fixed to the axle. I had a real fear that these would be seized solid too. Thankfully they opened reasonably well. Tomorrow morning early off to the dealer to collect the parts (all parts already in except one flex hose which is to arrive early) and all being well an hour or two should fit the lot. Refitting the tank will be fun. Then 'her indoors' can help me bleed the brakes.

Between the jigs and the reels I hope to be mobile again tomorrow evening. Fortunately the BMW has not yet been collected by BMW GB so I have use of it for a another few days till the insurance runs out on the 20th.

I'll post an update and a few pics of the corroded bits. Onwards and upwards.
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'04 KDJ120R LC5. Died 17th Dec 2010. RIP.

[Google]

[Nuclear Chicken]

Well, after a hard day under the LC on St Paddy's day, I finally got the job done and completed successfully. It was filthy dirty and quite difficult feeding the new brake pipes through the chassis area on my own but eventually got it sorted. Raising the fule tank again (half full remember) was potentially tricky but I managed it OK with the help of two trolly jacks. One of the tank strap studs boke also but I eventually sorted that too. In fact, the nut, welded to the chassis, broke off leaving the nut and bolt spinning. I cut the head off the bolt with a junior hacksaw and managed to find a suitable replacement in my bits. Holding the new nut from spinning whilst tightening took a bit of imagination but I eventually managed it.

A potential buyer of my neighbour's called asking if he could look around their house. Neighbour's away so I gave him the nod. He was questioning why I was all dirty etc etc and we got chatting. Turns out he was a mechanic and gave me a hand to bleed the brakes. Happy days. Otherwise I would have been relying on my wife who was with the nippers who have all got snotty noses. That worked a treat especially with the pumped brake system. No pumping required and in no time I got the fluid running nice and clear.

One trip to Dublin later (yesterday) all is well and brakes are back to normal.    

I spray greased all the bits I could find under the LC until I get the waxoyling done over the summer.    

Saved about £300 on dealer labout too.
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'04 KDJ120R LC5. Died 17th Dec 2010. RIP.

[garystockton]

[Nuclear Chicken]

  Funny fella eh?  

I'll get a few pics posted of the corroded parts. It was just too dirty and time consuming without involving a camera too under the LC. Technically not a hard job, just filthy and hard work on your own.
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'04 KDJ120R LC5. Died 17th Dec 2010. RIP.