Toyota Tacoma

[BENZ BOY15]

Just adopt him already.

[giant_mtb]

Waiting for tomorrow so I can get Truck back from getting its new steering pressure device at the mechanic store.  Probably gonna throw some weight in the bed for the winter.  It rides smoother with some weight and 'cause traction.

[Rupert]

You thinkin like a fat guy in the bed?

[giant_mtb]

I guess if I happen to run one over, sure.  Otherwise, I dunno, there are some unused cement blocks in my storage shed.  Might use those if I can arrange them to be sure they're not gonna move, or else sandbags.  Big bag of dog food.  Bags of cement mix.  Old car batteries.  Sealed buckets of water.  Trees.  450 jar candles.  A couch.  Lots of options.

[Rupert]

Fat guy is like trunk monkey in addition to traction, though. That's the main advantage.

(Sand is the best bet-- cement blocks will never stay in place without a lot of effort).

[280Z Turbo]

Menards has 70lb sand tubes on sale for 2.50 each. If you don't even have a Menards in youpee, move.

[giant_mtb]

Menards has 70lb sand tubes on sale for 2.50 each. If you don't even have a Menards in youpee, move.

Save big money at Menarrrrrds.

Haven't been there in a couple weeks, though.  I'm there at least once a week all summer buying cleaning stuff.

[CaminoRacer]

Trash bag with dirt is $0.07

[280Z Turbo]

Trash bag with dirt is $0.07

I don't want a dirtbag in my car.

[AutobahnSHO]

I don't want a dirtbag in my car.

soil sack

[AutobahnSHO]

sandbags won't slide as much, junk is gonna move unless you take corners South Carolina style (5mph)...

[giant_mtb]

Huh.  Mechanic said there wasn't anything wrong with the p/s, but they did find that the reservoir was leaking, so they fixed that (fluid was at a normal level when I brought it there).

wtfffffffffffffff

[MrH]

I had something very similar with the Tacoma I had.  I was getting some weird steering issues (I forget exactly what.  It was years ago).  I remember the cap to the power steering wasn't tightened down.  Simultaneously I was having some issues with a front half shaft.  I replaced that, and then engaged the transfer case a few times because it was getting stuck, and everything was gravy again.  Didn't have any issues with it for the next few months I owned it, then sold it.

[giant_mtb]

Belt definitely squeals though. What's that mean. Should I put some ranch or other form of dressing on it?

[Soup DeVille]

Assuming the belt is good and the tensioner is good, it means the pump is dragging for some reason. Does it squeal all the time, just at start up, or just when you're at full lock?

[giant_mtb]

Assuming the belt is good and the tensioner is good, it means the pump is dragging for some reason. Does it squeal all the time, just at start up, or just when you're at full lock?

Just at startup, noticed it especially once it started getting cold. I'll back out of my driveway and around the time I start to pull away I feel the power steering get its full power...it's cold and tough at first startup then I can hear/feel a release in pressure and I get full power steering.

I didn't have a chance to explain all this to the mechanic (he wasn't there) when I dropped it off. She just wrote "p/s pump?" on the slip.

I shoulda just said "it's making noise and Idk why" instead of "it's making noise, I think it might be the power steering pump."

[giant_mtb]

I mean, the belt/idler could also be going, but there's still something off about the power pump. Haven't driven it yet, but considering all they did was put a new bracket or something on the power steering fluid reservoir to stop a tiny leak, I'm gonna guess nothing has changed. Damn.

[Rupert]

I hate taking cars back to mechanics for the same problem.

[giant_mtb]

I hate taking cars back to mechanics for the same problem.

Same. When I picked up my keys today and mentioned the belt squeal as well he said they hadn't noticed it. I was like fuuuuuuck. Nothing has changed.

[BimmerM3]

Same. When I picked up my keys today and mentioned the belt squeal as well he said they hadn't noticed it. I was like fuuuuuuck. Nothing has changed.

The mechanic's version of "it works on my machine. "

[Soup DeVille]

Just at startup, noticed it especially once it started getting cold. I'll back out of my driveway and around the time I start to pull away I feel the power steering get its full power...it's cold and tough at first startup then I can hear/feel a release in pressure and I get full power steering.

I didn't have a chance to explain all this to the mechanic (he wasn't there) when I dropped it off. She just wrote "p/s pump?" on the slip.

I shoulda just said "it's making noise and Idk why" instead of "it's making noise, I think it might be the power steering pump."

This is largely normal behavior in cold weather.

If it was a vehicle I'm more familiar with, I'd say check the little screen filter in the reservoir; there's probably some residue from the lines in there that is restricting flow.

[giant_mtb]

Hm. I've never experienced it in a vehicle before.

Tacoma now has 140lbs of sand in bed. I got three 70lb bags but two feels like enough...we'll see next time we actually get some snow. It's nice to have some weight on the rear anyways. Bit less chatter.

[CALL_911]

Is your truck 4WD or 2WD?

[giant_mtb]

Is your truck 4WD or 2WD?

4WD

[Soup DeVille]

Hm. I've never experienced it in a vehicle before.

Tacoma now has 140lbs of sand in bed. I got three 70lb bags but two feels like enough...we'll see next time we actually get some snow. It's nice to have some weight on the rear anyways. Bit less chatter.

Fairly common for a 10 year old vehicle that is. I did check, and the Tacoma has a reservoir filter, but it's not especially easy to change.

[Eye of the Tiger]

4WD

I would never use sandbags on a 4wd. What a waste of sand! Do you have an open diff in back, or some kind of psychotropic drug?

[giant_mtb]

I would never use sandbags on a 4wd. What a waste of sand! Do you have an open diff in back, or some kind of psychotropic drug?

It's a mechanical LSD.

But really it's just so I don't have to switch between the two as often. 

[SVT666]

I've experienced that before but only when it's really cold.

[giant_mtb]

I've experienced that before but only when it's really cold.

I'm experiencing it just about anywhere under 35-40 on an overnight start.

[Raza]

Truck doing truck things.

I think that's the most redneck thing I've seen on this site.