Getting fed up

When I first got my truck it has a major issue. It was hesitant and would struggle to get going from a stop. The same day I got it, I went and got it fixed. Over time, I've found more things that have gone wrong and are costing me a lot of money when I don't really make much to begin with. I've replaced the air filter housing, plugs, wires, MAF sensor, all belts excluding the t-belt, and a few other things. And there's still more issues. The e-brake is stuck and has caused my shoes to be so tight against the drums that I can't pull the drums off, which is also causing bad gas mileage and who knows what I'd have to replace/fix dealing with that. Next, I need an o2 sensor, which is priced at rock auto for $112.79. Next I need tires which are $645, u-joints which will run about $125, rear tranny mounts, it will need a complete flush soon, and needs completely new suspension (shocks, struts, coils, leaf springs, lower ball joints, and probably some other stuff too). Don't get me wrong, I love my truck. I've had tons of fun in it and I would love to keep using it as my DD, but its getting to the point where I barely have money in my bank account from all the gas I put in it and all the parts I have to replace. Would you guys suggest I try and get a cheap car and just make the monthly payments on that? Or tough it out? I wouldn't get rid of the truck, I'd just I've it to my parents to drive around if they need it or haul something.

 

13 years old...must have alot of miles

 

Has 177k miles

 

Does it actually NEED all of those things? Cars require maintenance and it sounds like the guy before you didn't do much of it. You can replace or maintain all of those things and its wise to do so but these trucks can take a beating and can run for a while if neglected. Maybe save some cash for a while and then start knocking 1 thing after another.

 

U joints cost like $12 each and take about 20 minutes to change. No need to drop this kind of $$ on them. Are you getting a clunk when you first put it in gear?

 

It needs pretty much everything I listed. Needs the rear brakes and e brake repaired/replaced because its burning up my shoes and causing worse gas mileage, the tires are VERY low on tread, the o2 sensor is needed because my gas mileage sucks, the suspension needs to be replaced because at interstate speeds it feels as though my right wheel is bouncing, the shocks in the front are pretty much shot, the leaf springs are flat. Also, needs calipers because they are sticking. Caused my last set of pads to go out in 4 months. Indicator broke off of it. Also warped my rotors

 

Yessir. When I put it in drive or reverse it clunks pretty loud and the truck moves. Also, when pulling off, I hear a loud grinding sound

 

U joints easy. Save yourself the money and do it yourself. 02 sensor easy enough. Again do it yourself. Rear brakes spray the hell put of it with pb blaster on the e brake side. Or take it to a shop. Usually 100.00 for rear brakes in my area. Suspension. Don't buy it all at once. And if you don't care for a lift or anything buy oem replacements. Or the equivalent. Bargain shop on that. Advance auto just had a coupon buy two front struts get two rear struts free. If it will work in your area I'll mail you the coupon. Trans flush I just paid 112.30 for that. And I could do it myself just not comfortable. Tires find a good deal. Bfg or Goodyear is always having a sale and offers lots of discounts. Or buy used from someone that didn't put any miles on them. Or do like my parents taught me. Buy two at a time until you have a full set.

 

You should have 2 or 3 u joints. I bought moogs with zerks for 8.00 at advance a piece. Are you manual or auto? Judging by trans flush I am assuming here auto. If that's the case and you don't use your ebrake or don't NEED it atm disconnect it until you have the funds to get it replaced or repaired.

 

It also sounds like you bought a used truck knowing it had an issue. Which that on its own warrants that you knew you yiu would spend money. Don't take on the car payment because it is just added money. You still will have to fix the tacoma. Plus then you'll be paying a car payment. Be sensible about it. Fix the truck and drive it. Sounds like you have some buyers remorse. But what is done is done and nothing you can do hut take care of the situation at hand.

 

Yeah, bust 'em loose and then leave 'em. Unless you park on Monkey Hill, you should be ok in park. I don't think I ever used an e-brake in all my years in NOLA.

 

I didn't buy the truck. I got it as a graduation gift. Parents even brought a mechanic to look at it, but he turned out to be a complete asshat. He didn't tell my parents about the issues he saw just so he could get money out of us. I honestly didn't think I'd spend the amount of money I have on this truck. I knew they were gas thirsty but my truck takes it to a whole new level. So really, I didn't have a clue what I was getting myself into.

 

I could do a lot of this myself, just will take some time to learn how to do some things. Will probably have to consult the Haynes book or TW for things. The cheapest I could find the o2 sensor was $112.79 which is a good chunk of my next paycheck. I would like to upgrade the suspension because the stock is so damn terrible. Plus, on my off time, my truck is used to haul debris to the dump from us remodeling our house or picking up supplies such as sheetrock or wood so the upgrades leafs would really help. Goodyear is expensive here, idk why. And wouldn't having two new tires and two very used tires affect handling?

 

Even if I disconnect it, wouldn't I still need to get the damn drum off to loosen the shoes?

 

Dont feel bad, even properly maintained a truck with that many miles is going to start needing major replacements and mine is no different than yours. Sticking e-brake/shot drums, suspect o2 sensors, complete suspension is crazy at freeway speeds, etc.

 

I know, but at a certain mileage, wouldn't it seem sensible to replace suspension?

 

Hey, at least you didn't have to pay for the truck! No payments is the easy way to learn about car maintenance. Plenty of folks have to learn about these things while they're paying $300-$600/month for the car that they're sweating under. That sucks even worse.

One of the primary rules of life is that all vehicles break. Getting another vehicle will just double your problems. If you buy new, you might get a couple of years with no big expenses, but you will inevitably spend to keep it going.

You've got the u-joints job, and the O2 sensor. Those are things you can do yourself with nothing more than a couple of wrenches - maybe the same 10 mm box end will do it, or you might need a 12mm for the u-bolts.

All cars need tires - doesn't matter whether it's this truck or a car. If you drive, you're gonna be buying tires for the rest of your life. It always sucks to spend that money, but there's no way around it. For now, put your best two on the front and buy two new cheap ones for the rear, or even two reasonable used ones. When you get through this bad spell, you can slowly invest in better tires.

For the brakes, go to Harbor Freight - there's one on Airline Hwy out toward the airport between Transcontinental and David Dr. Get some cheap jack stands. Jack the truck up on the stands and get a hammer and see if you can't break those babies loose. Then unhook the brake cables for the time being until you can afford new brakes down the road. You don't need an e-brake in NOLA.

You should get a second opinion on the suspension. If your tires are that worn, it could just be a tire balance problem that's causing you to bounce at interstate speeds. An unbalanced tire will usually be worst at 50-60, then might smooth out at higher speeds. That's the first place you should look. Getting two new tires on the front might fix your whole problem. If not, you certainly will not need all new shocks/struts, ball joints, etc. It's better to figure out what's broken than to just replace everything.

Ignore the transmission mount thing for now. It won't be an issue.

You can flush your transmission. Buy a cheap oil drain pan at Walmart - they're $8. Put it under the tranny and pull the one drain bolt out. Let it drain. Put the bolt back in, and fill the tranny back up with fluid. It's not hard. Then take the used fluid to Advance Auto and dump it in their bin.

You can do this. We'll help. Don't give up on your truck just because it needs maintenance. All cars need maintenance - it's just part of the game.

 

Op how old are you? I'm assuming young. Look I've been where you are and it's no fun but I'm where I am today because I didn't just give up and go buy another car. If you truly need suspension work or you need the trans flushed or what not. Drive your happy rear end up here and I'll show you how to do the work. Don't get it confused as I'll do the work for you. But I'll teach you what I know about cars and trucks. It's not hard at all I promise. Don't let this overwhelm you. When you take your brakes apart and start beating the hell out of it with a hammer. I've learned it best the second I get frustrated at it. I walk away cool down clear my mind and come back to it. You won't accomplish anything that you want getting pissed off. It took me a long time to learn that. Remember it is a truck an inanimate object. Those drums aren't stuck on there because the truck thinks it's funny. You got this. But we are all here to help well most of us. Some are just here for oz but that's a whole other class room.

 

If you sell it and get a car, I bet my next check you'd miss that truck at some point.

Car payments suck and so does the insurance payment that comes with it. As said before, you can put money into the truck replacing parts and learning something valuable (auto repair) or you can pay a mechanic to fix the new car when parts start to fail.

The people here have walked me through a few issues. A very helpful bunch. We got you.

 

I agree with the others, keep the truck. It sounds like you have already spent a bit of money getting the truck right. You are half way home. One issue at a time. Information first, start with a paper shop manual or down load one online. Next I would focus on the back brakes. Look at backing off the adjuster and two screws to get the drums off. It may be a simple fix. Then get the little things, u-joints and such. Two tires at a time, look for sales. The suspension may not be great but that can wait. Same for the O2 sensor. Prioritize, one thing at a time.