Toyota Repair: 4runner hubs, auto hubs, toyota enthusiasts

Question
I recently purchased a 1989 4runner v-6, 5spd, 155k. The truck is equipped with AUTO hubs. It has recently turned cold here in colorado and I recently used the 4wd for the first time, it worked great! The day after this test I was driving the truck to work on a cold morning and a horrible grinding and clicking sound erupted from the front of the truck. It was followed by a few clunks and jolts. My hubs were trying to lock..I think? I have heard these hubs are troublesome. What to do? New manual hubs? Rebuild of these hubs possible? Is it most liklely the hubs? On warm days I have never had this problem, and 4x4 works good. Please help. Thanks, mark

Answer
Eh, misunderstood more than troublesome. With the automatic hubs (Even on other OEM's). The majority of the problems are user-error instead of design realted. :'(
The auto hubs require driving in reverse to disengage. Did you do that? When you shifted the transfer case into 2wd. Does your lights for 4wd & such stay on? Most of the problems stem from a vacuum leak (especially going to the transfer case), or a solenoid.
If the hubs were to be bad. Most people tend to put some high end Asian's on there. (Asian-Warner), or do a manual swap. The "ADD" VS "non-ADD" swap if you run into those terms.

I would highly suggest joinging a Toyota truck based forum. You'll be able to find ALOT of information since it can be overwhelming to keep up in the aftermarket Toyota truck sceen. And you dno't *always* find alot of Toyota enthusiasts around.

www.yotatech.com






On a personal note. That engine is bad to roast the #6 exhaust valve, causing that head to warp and the gasket to blow between #5 & #6 cylinders. I would *strongly* advise you to decarb the combuston chambers with Seafoam once a year (Follow the directions. Do it three times using 1/3 of a can through the intake. Let it sit 10min, crank it, let it idle, then drive it around until the smoke stops) or via water injection.

And you *must* change the coolant every other year. DO NOT use Toyota red coolant in that particular engine. You should also change the radiator pressure cap, and thermostat every other year.

You are ***extremely*** unlikely to catch the engine overheating on the gauge before you warp a head. By the time it's overheating, it's warped. So it pays *large* dividends to stay ontop of coolant changes. (Honestly... It's something you should do anyway on that schedule.) The recall + extended warrantee on any recalled vehicles is also long over so. Unless you struck a deal with Toyota Coperate itself. (They're actually easy to deal with relative to others) You'll get no help when it comes from Toyota.


Just a quick note I like to send the sohc 3vz-e owners. ;)
Take care.