Just picked up a 2000 - a couple questions

I posted my introduction in the new members section

a couple questions for a new owner...

1) I do have a couple initial questions if you have time to share your knowledge - the brakes "pulse" a bit under normal braking. I know some of the early ABS systems would warn drivers the brakes may pulse, I'm not sure if this may be the ABS system, or it could be a bit of a warped rotor - I'll have it checked just to be sure - any thoughts?

2) Also - I'm trying to contact the previous owner, but is there any way to tell if the timing belt has been changed (at 100,000 miles?) without opening it up to physically inspect the belt?

3) I need to source a replacement plastic driver seat trim piece as well - it's loose and needs to be replaced. Any inexpensive source to buy interior trim? eBay seems to be about $80.

 

Not sure about abs, but if your rotor was warped, you would feel/see it in the steering wheel.

As for timing belt. You could shell out the$45 for a carfax report, which might not tell you if it was changed. You might be able to bring the dealership your vin, and depending on where it was replaced, they could have a service record/history for your vehicle. The cheapest route would be to physically check the belt.

eBay, or forum B/S/T Part outs. I also think there's a salvage company called tlsauto or something, they specialize in Toyota lex and scion parts. I have seen the driver side trim piece for about $25 on eBay.

Hope this helps.

 

Very true - and I'm not getting a vibration in the wheel at all - that makes me feel better about it being the ABS.

Thanks!

 

I agree that the brakes sound like a warped rotor, I've had a few on my 99 taco. If it's a v6 like mine you can see the timing belt if you take off the plastic cover on the top front. If you can wait for the right price on the part you want Ebay can be a good source for used parts.

 

Your rotors could still be warped - even slightly. The brakes should not 'pulse' under normal conditions.

Rotate your tires and see if anything changes. Make sure you torque the lug nuts at the proper torque (do not over tighten). Inspect the brakes for obvious wear..... How much material do you have on the shoes? How old are they? If they're thin - it might be time to get new pads & have the rotors 'turned' anyway. Peace of mind

Same goes for the timing belt.... if you're not sure when it was done... just change it. Peace of mind

 

Good advice - thanks everyone. If I can't get a read on when or if the timing belt was done, I'll just get it replaced. the CarFax was no help. We'll see if I hear back from the previous owner …

The pulsing is a bit of a mystery - it doesn't pull to either side, no vibration in the wheel. I'll start with a tire rotation and see if that helps, I'm not going to let it go though, if it is a warped rotor, better to catch it early.

 

Try here:

http://www.toyota.com/owners/web/pages/login

 

LocknLoad: Good looking truck you picked up, and welcome to the forum!

I don't have ABS brakes but I am with the others on suspecting a warped rotor. As far as timing belt, all the kits I have seen come with a sticker to paste on the outside of the timing cover when belt is changed noting date and mileage. If there is no sticker on there I would wager it has not been changed.

Good luck on finding cheap interior parts. I can send you a parts number PDF file for the 95-2000 Tacoma if you send me a pm request. You may be able to find the part number of the piece you seek and google a dealer replacement price. You might find the dealer a better "deal" than EBay anymore..

 

Correct me if I'm wrong guys, but to the OP, I don't think ABS came around till '01... So if that's the case you can rule out the ABS causing the pulse.

 

yep, if the truck was serviced at a dealership then timing belt information would be listed. not all dealerships use this, but many do.

 

Thanks for the welcome - I really enjoyed the FJ forum, this forum seems to have the same kind of good people.

That LOGIN page resulted in two records in the last 5K miles - just lube and oil - no reference to the timing belt. So toyota didn't do any of the previous service, or they didn't record it. I'll check for the sticker - thats good info.

I'm leaning towards rotor as well - After 48 hours of ownership, I'm still learning I'm going to take it in this week, have multiple things checked for current condition - that way I have a baseline for ongoing ownership.

Had it out in the snow today for some fun - just a couple inches, no challenging stuff, but it's the first snow we've gotten this year. Thanks again for all the suggestions.

 

It takes up to 10 days for all service records to load, it took almost a month for the daughter's 4Runner to fully appear.

 

My 99 has ABS. I think it was an option.