Sooooo...I took my car in to the Toyota dealer just earlier to get the alignment checked after getting the front right upper control arm replaced last night. Now I knew there was some clunking that randomly happened over road markers and small bumps, but I wasn't able to locate the noise maker at the rear end yet, so I was hoping they might find something during the process. Instead I came out with a 2 page laundry list of things that need fixing. Yay me. I seem to always pick the "gems."

The alignment could NOT be done because:

1. rear lower control arms need replacement (no idea what, I'm assuming bushings etc.)

2. rear sway bar -- one nut is missing on an endlink causing it to bounce around and enlarge the mounting hole in sway bar so I need a new rear sway bar and end links.

3. rear tie rods are OK but have blown seals so will need replacement 'soon.'

4. Front swaybar endlinks need replacing as they're loose/worn.

5. Oil leakage seen in front of engine -- needs new valve cover gasket, cam seals.

6. A/C compressor might or might not be leaking any more but dye is all around it apparently.

Goddamn, it seems like every time I get a car to a dealer (ok, only my second time with a used purchase) I get a good dosage of "you got fked."

I'm hoping to do most of the suspension minus the complete sway bar replacement myself but I'm not so sure how far I can go trying to do the valve cover gasket.

After all that I still have the timing belt service with $1200 written on it waiting around the corner which was the only big thing I was actually expecting to throw money at. Life lessons and all that.

 

I dint read your Novel, but what is KY?

 

If that's a novel, I'd hate to be your pharmacist.

Just kind of annoyed that after my '91 Land Cruiser has turned out to be a money pit (something I half way expected) I let myself fall into another, though thankfully there isn't too much I cannot handle with enough time and tutorials.

 

Huh? Pharmacist? I still have no idea.. 91 Cruiser on Lexus 2nd Gen forum?? Im lost... ok Good luck..im out

 

LOL I think in your case some Ritalin might be in order, or you're too distracted ALT-TABing between your pr0n and forums.

Here let me condense it for you:

1. Last night I replaced a defective front suspension part.
2. Then I took the car in to get looked at by big bad man with that big T sign on top of his store.
3. He called back and said my car needed a lot of stuff done.
4. I got disheartened and annoyed at myself, but am hopeful that it'll be alright.

 

Im not sure if your trying to be funny but i guess your at-least trying.. Great story

 

Damn bro thats quite a list of work. In these situations it may be better to dump it and get something else. If the car is in that kind of shape just imagine what else is in the mail

 

Well I'd lose money either way, by selling it I lose some from what I started, and if I keep it and fix it up, I hopefully have a car that'll last at least a year or 2 more. Most of what the list above is pricey due to labor (not counting timing belt). If i can get parts in and do most of the stuff myself, I think it'll be alright. Thankfully it's not TOO bad (car's not falling apart and the ride's fine). Let's see.

 

Everything you mentioned minus the a/c is cheap and very simple to replace. You could easily do all the suspension work and VC gaskets in a weekend. And still have time to kick back in a lawn chair drinking beer.

 

With a "handle" like yours, I'd have sworn you would know what KY was. It's a lubricant, generally used for certain parts of the human body, and you can take it from there.......

 

You are correct, most of it is just turning a wrench enough times and wrestling stubborn parts out and putting new ones in, which thankfully, I'm familiar with haha. I'm planning on spending the next few weekends on the suspension parts and tackle the VC gasket with some help. I'm hoping after these and the timing belt, the car should be worry free (for at least the next 10-20k miles). The engine & driveline, and interior all seem to be great otherwise, and I am loving the overall value so I may just stick with it.

The A/C compressor sounded like it is a 50/50 thing (might have been fixed long before, or is in need of it) and I'm guessing with my luck, I'll have to deal with it down the line.

Thanks for the encouragement!

 

I've got a rear swaybar sitting around if you can't source one locally.

 

Thanks! But I'm thinking since I need a new one I can try getting an aftermarket one for better roll control...if all else fails I'll go OEM again.