Saved Myself Hundreds

[Catman]

I had a couple of issues with the Sequoia.  My sunroof was creaking and my power window in the tailgate was not operating.  Went over to tundrasolutions and grabbed both technical service bulletins that were issued regarding these problems. 

The sunroof was an easy fix.  The TSB said to take the whole headliner down.  I don't understand why since the area you need access to is easily accessed by peeling the molding away from the area where the headliner and sunroof meet.  It just called for a nut to be screwed down over the top of a speed nut already there.  Ten minute job.

The rear window TSB called for a motor replacement.  I did all the steps but that and it works fine now.  There was an instruction to remove a spring and mounting bracket permanently so I'm suspecting that was the cause.  One hour job.  I know for a fact Toyota charges about $400 for that TSB outside of warranty.

[S204STi]

Awesome, way to go!

[dazzleman]

Awesome, way to go!

R-inge, this reminds me of when you were telling me the advantages about diagnosing a problem, rather than just replacing every possible part without really figuring out which one was causing the problem.

Good work, Catman.  It's always nice to save some money.  BTW, have you switched to GEICO?  :P

[S204STi]

R-inge, this reminds me of when you were telling me the advantages about diagnosing a problem, rather than just replacing every possible part without really figuring out which one was causing the problem.

Good work, Catman.  It's always nice to save some money.  BTW, have you switched to GEICO?  :P

lol, remember those cats at the F1 place who were joking around about  that?

[AutobahnSHO]

The rear window TSB called for a motor replacement.? I did all the steps but that and it works fine now.? There was an instruction to remove a spring and mounting bracket permanently so I'm suspecting that was the cause.?

You had to remove pieces to fix it??
Why'd they put those pieces in in the first place then??   

[The Pirate]

You had to remove pieces to fix it??
Why'd they put those pieces in in the first place then??   

We've had that happen with recalls on bicycles too.  It's usually a spacing issue or screwy chainline or something like that.  The worst is with the new 10 speed stuff, it's ultra finicky and they definitely haven't worked out the kinks yet.  Road bikes with a 10 speed and a triple are a nightmare to adjust.

It is weird to work on a car (or a bike) and have parts left over though.  Makes you wonder...

[Catman]

You had to remove pieces to fix it??
Why'd they put those pieces in in the first place then??   

No idea.  It works now though.

[Danish]

Come to think of it, removing parts permanently does sound weird. Then again, you now have less parts to go bad

[crv16]

I too get great satisfaction doing stuff like this.  I just put new rotors and pads on my Civic last week, plus flushed the brake lines with fresh fluid.  Spend under $150 for everything.

It kills me to go to the dealer for service.  Not only do they charge exorbinant labor rates, but they usually charge flat rate times for things you know take way less time than stated.

[SVT_Power]

R-inge, this reminds me of when you were telling me the advantages about diagnosing a problem, rather than just replacing every possible part without really figuring out which one was causing the problem.

Good work, Catman.  It's always nice to save some money.  BTW, have you switched to GEICO?  :P

That geico thing reminds me of a hockey game last year. Middle of the game the linesman is standing near our bench and our coach whispers to his ear - "Hey I just switched to GEICO and saved 15%" just like in the commercials

[Raza]

No idea.  It works now though.

Crazy Toyota logic!

[dazzleman]

That geico thing reminds me of a hockey game last year. Middle of the game the linesman is standing near our bench and our coach whispers to his ear - "Hey I just switched to GEICO and saved 15%" just like in the commercials

Some of those GEICO commercials are pretty funny.

My favorite is the couple living in the house with the really low ceilings.  It's pretty funny what happens when the husband tries to have sex with his wife in that house.

[Raza]

Some of those GEICO commercials are pretty funny.

My favorite is the couple living in the house with the really low ceilings.  It's pretty funny what happens when the husband tries to have sex with his wife in that house.

Yeah, the 15% smaller household.

[sparkplug]

Geico??? I thought that was Gecko insurance. I like the one where the caveman see the ad on the wall and just shakes his head.