Any Mechanics?
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I have a VERY well used Toyota Tundra V8 4 wheel drive beater truck that I bought a few years ago. I have a weird noise coming from the driverside wheel well and I already had the CV joint and sleeve replaced so it is not that. My Mechanic (who I do trust) said he thinks it is something with the caliper locking and the brakes are a bit spongy as well. Wants $500 to fix but that might NOT be the issue. It seems to happen more when I am turning, or even just going around a corner to the right-hand side. I’m fine replacing thermocouples and belts and things like this but I have never messed with brakes before. I would gladly pay the $500 if I knew it would fix it but it seems more like this is just a guess. Any thoughts?
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I have a VERY well used Toyota Tundra V8 4 wheel drive beater truck that I bought a few years ago. I have a weird noise coming from the driverside wheel well and I already had the CV joint and sleeve replaced so it is not that. My Mechanic (who I do trust) said he thinks it is something with the caliper locking and the brakes are a bit spongy as well. Wants $500 to fix but that might NOT be the issue. It seems to happen more when I am turning, or even just going around a corner to the right-hand side. I’m fine replacing thermocouples and belts and things like this but I have never messed with brakes before. I would gladly pay the $500 if I knew it would fix it but it seems more like this is just a guess. Any thoughts?
Jonathon Best advice, sell it and buy a Ford.
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I have a VERY well used Toyota Tundra V8 4 wheel drive beater truck that I bought a few years ago. I have a weird noise coming from the driverside wheel well and I already had the CV joint and sleeve replaced so it is not that. My Mechanic (who I do trust) said he thinks it is something with the caliper locking and the brakes are a bit spongy as well. Wants $500 to fix but that might NOT be the issue. It seems to happen more when I am turning, or even just going around a corner to the right-hand side. I’m fine replacing thermocouples and belts and things like this but I have never messed with brakes before. I would gladly pay the $500 if I knew it would fix it but it seems more like this is just a guess. Any thoughts?
Jonathon It could be that and brakes are not that difficult to work on. You could probably buy the parts and do it yourself for less than the $500 he wants but then You have to do it. It’s possible it could be something as simple that you need new brake pads and maybe rotors.
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Jonathon More like the best selling truck for the past 43 years. Any tire shop worth their salt should be able to sort out any brake issues as well. I’m almost appalled that Austin doesn’t provide you with a brand new truck every year, and Walton’s plastered across the side of it, maybe you should bring that up in your next review.
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I have a VERY well used Toyota Tundra V8 4 wheel drive beater truck that I bought a few years ago. I have a weird noise coming from the driverside wheel well and I already had the CV joint and sleeve replaced so it is not that. My Mechanic (who I do trust) said he thinks it is something with the caliper locking and the brakes are a bit spongy as well. Wants $500 to fix but that might NOT be the issue. It seems to happen more when I am turning, or even just going around a corner to the right-hand side. I’m fine replacing thermocouples and belts and things like this but I have never messed with brakes before. I would gladly pay the $500 if I knew it would fix it but it seems more like this is just a guess. Any thoughts?
Jonathon Has he checked the lining on the brakes. Spongey brakes usually doesn’t indicate a brake that is locking up, it usually indicated air or a long travel. I would be inclined to have the brakes checked first to see how much lining you have left first and the condition of the calipers and mounts. Have him check the wheel bearing at the same time. A loose bearing will cause noise and can cause a spongey pedal since it will push the caliper piston back into the caliper when it wobbles. $500 seems to be a lot of money for a guess and not a guarantee. This is my thought, I’ve only been fixing trucks and cars for 40+ years professionally.
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I have a VERY well used Toyota Tundra V8 4 wheel drive beater truck that I bought a few years ago. I have a weird noise coming from the driverside wheel well and I already had the CV joint and sleeve replaced so it is not that. My Mechanic (who I do trust) said he thinks it is something with the caliper locking and the brakes are a bit spongy as well. Wants $500 to fix but that might NOT be the issue. It seems to happen more when I am turning, or even just going around a corner to the right-hand side. I’m fine replacing thermocouples and belts and things like this but I have never messed with brakes before. I would gladly pay the $500 if I knew it would fix it but it seems more like this is just a guess. Any thoughts?
Jonathon Is it a wobble type sound when you turn right? If so, it is likely the rotor. They do get warped if they are hot from breaking and then cooled too quickly with a water puddle. I realize you trust this mechanic, but this is an issue that should be able to be determined with a simple inspection.
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Jonathon replacing the caliper, pads, rotor and bleed is maybe an hour job outside of a shop. As long as you don’t break anything. It should be an easy diagonals on those parts, if they are bad, not a guess. Spongey brake pedal or with fade is a possible sign of air in the brake lines or possibly old contaminated fluid. Brake fluid likes to absorb water, I usually flush my lines about every three years. A wheel bearing can be a little tougher to diagnose until it really gets bad or fails. You need time, tools, the willingness and as Dirty Harry stated a man must know his limitations.
You got alot of good advice from folks so far. The best is buy a Ford, LOL. My last F-150 lasted me 25+yrs I am now on my second, but I do have a Toyota SUV.
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Jonathon replacing the caliper, pads, rotor and bleed is maybe an hour job outside of a shop. As long as you don’t break anything. It should be an easy diagonals on those parts, if they are bad, not a guess. Spongey brake pedal or with fade is a possible sign of air in the brake lines or possibly old contaminated fluid. Brake fluid likes to absorb water, I usually flush my lines about every three years. A wheel bearing can be a little tougher to diagnose until it really gets bad or fails. You need time, tools, the willingness and as Dirty Harry stated a man must know his limitations.
You got alot of good advice from folks so far. The best is buy a Ford, LOL. My last F-150 lasted me 25+yrs I am now on my second, but I do have a Toyota SUV.
YooperDog I’ve owned several early 70’s Ford 150’s and 250’s…loved them. Most were bought for around $500. I just picked up a 92’ 250 with a 460 for $500! I’ve made a few hauls to the landfill in the meantime so IMO it’s already paid for itself. It’s still running on the same tank of gas the previous owner provided but as few miles as I’ve put on this rig it’s obvious that it has a drinking problem. That said, anytime I leave the mechanic with a bill for $500 I feel like I dodged a bullet. For that money I’d say fix the things that need fixed anyway and roll the dice that it solves your problem.

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YooperDog I’ve owned several early 70’s Ford 150’s and 250’s…loved them. Most were bought for around $500. I just picked up a 92’ 250 with a 460 for $500! I’ve made a few hauls to the landfill in the meantime so IMO it’s already paid for itself. It’s still running on the same tank of gas the previous owner provided but as few miles as I’ve put on this rig it’s obvious that it has a drinking problem. That said, anytime I leave the mechanic with a bill for $500 I feel like I dodged a bullet. For that money I’d say fix the things that need fixed anyway and roll the dice that it solves your problem.

Joe Hell nice looking rig. In my area of the country the metal doesn’t look that good. We are the top area for putting salt down on the roads during winter. The cab of my last truck was rusting off the frame. I haven’t found a full size truck that doesn’t have a drinking problem, but they have gotten better over the years. I have a pretty good mechanic. He will talk me through some things I am having issues with and will even come out to the house. He gets my business and I treat him and his crew well. I do the things I can and let them do the rest.
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I got 327,000 miles on my 2005 FORD escape !!! FORD is #1
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Our 2007 Toyota Highlander had 228,000 miles on it when we traded it in last year for a new Highlander. Put 2 sets of brakes on it and 1 set of rotors. Did the timing belt once. My 2010 Chev K3500 has only 138,000 on it, it replaced my 2000 F-350 that had 219,000 miles.
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Joe Hell I love that truck man, I like old trucks for some reason, my wife always tenses up when I see one for sale! Denny that was the first thing I checked, I have had that happen before. Chef I will check to see if the rotor is warped, hopefully, that isn’t the issue.
Mine has 220,000 on it so I’ve got a while to go before I reach 327,000…in all honesty I doubt I will get there as I drive about 8 miles a day since I work so close to my house but who knows, maybe Il have the truck for another 20 years!
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For the price of a vehicle I keep them until I get my money’s worth. I like doing my own work when I can. I have been collecting tools since I was 16, only thing I wish I had is a lift. I put a plow on my trucks and it is hard on the vehicle, brakes and tranny’s get abused the most. A buddy of mine still has the first new truck he brought, 78 Ford, looks almost new, it has lived a charmed life.
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I have a VERY well used Toyota Tundra V8 4 wheel drive beater truck that I bought a few years ago. I have a weird noise coming from the driverside wheel well and I already had the CV joint and sleeve replaced so it is not that. My Mechanic (who I do trust) said he thinks it is something with the caliper locking and the brakes are a bit spongy as well. Wants $500 to fix but that might NOT be the issue. It seems to happen more when I am turning, or even just going around a corner to the right-hand side. I’m fine replacing thermocouples and belts and things like this but I have never messed with brakes before. I would gladly pay the $500 if I knew it would fix it but it seems more like this is just a guess. Any thoughts?
Jonathon if you have been on a wet gravel road with it double check that it isn’t caked in the wheel well or in your calipers. I had a similar issue several years ago and it took taking the wheel off and hitting everything with a good power wash to fix. Just a suggestion.
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I got 327,000 miles on my 2005 FORD escape !!! FORD is #1
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Joe Hell nice looking rig. In my area of the country the metal doesn’t look that good. We are the top area for putting salt down on the roads during winter. The cab of my last truck was rusting off the frame. I haven’t found a full size truck that doesn’t have a drinking problem, but they have gotten better over the years. I have a pretty good mechanic. He will talk me through some things I am having issues with and will even come out to the house. He gets my business and I treat him and his crew well. I do the things I can and let them do the rest.
YooperDog I’ve got a great mechanic here in Walla Walla (Alexander Automotive) that I have complete confidence in. He is more than fair with pricing and if he thinks I can take care of it myself he will tell me how to do it. My dad, grandfather, brothers and friends use him as well. I bring his crew and their dogs treats from the shop and they bring their entire family and buy product from the shop frequently as well. I love having mutually beneficial business relationships!
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Joe Hell I love that truck man, I like old trucks for some reason, my wife always tenses up when I see one for sale! Denny that was the first thing I checked, I have had that happen before. Chef I will check to see if the rotor is warped, hopefully, that isn’t the issue.
Mine has 220,000 on it so I’ve got a while to go before I reach 327,000…in all honesty I doubt I will get there as I drive about 8 miles a day since I work so close to my house but who knows, maybe Il have the truck for another 20 years!
Jonathon This is at least the 7th vehicle that I have bought from customers at my other job as an insurance agent. I don’t think I’ve ever paid more than $500. I think I’m the next year or two I’ll buy a new or newish ride. That new Ford Bronco is calling my name!
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