Proactive maintenance

[LDB]

One of the great advertisements was the old "You can pay me now, or you can pay me later." campaign for routine maintenance. Most of us follow the pay now system I think. Having just heard of a broken dipstick for the second time I'm posing the question should the dipstick be replaced with a new one to avoid breaking and a far more expensive cost and if so when? That begs the follow up question are there any other items one would usually never think about that should also be replaced and if so what and when?

 

[Dynamite 1]

shocks/ 6-12 mo.

a/c serviced every year

belts/hoses suggested or sooner if needed

radiator flushed 24-30 mo.

tensioner/idler pulleys check at 36 mo.

im sure theres a few more.

 

[BobWolf]

Somone like me will put it this way, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. What!? In Bob Wolfs world its more like this, Both wheels get remooved,the hubs are torn down, replace the bearings and races, re pack the bearings, while you have it appart a new set of shoes if you need them and you have the dough problem is solved.
If its a driver fire the dipstick before they get expensive checking oil is a ten second job.

 

[chefdennis]

Hey BobWolf, when you figure out how to repack the ft wheel bearings on chrvy/gmc g2500/3500 vans froIm 2004 on up, let us know.....

As for the dipstick, I broke the "ring" off the top of both the motor oil and trans fluid dipsticks on my 2005 GMC 4.8 3500 van.....parts guy at the dealer sayed they keep all available van dipsticks in stock..its a common issue....

 

[zorry]

I wouldn't replace a dipstick if I didn't see a problem. I have in the past written down the measurements and part numbers and kept them handy.

 

[BobWolf]

Hey BobWolf, when you figure out how to repack the ft wheel bearings on chrvy/gmc g2500/3500 vans froIm 2004 on up, let us know.....

As for the dipstick, I broke the "ring" off the top of both the motor oil and trans fluid dipsticks on my 2005 GMC 4.8 3500 van.....parts guy at the dealer sayed they keep all available van dipsticks in stock..its a common issue....

Havent had the opportunity to work on an 04 and up GMC2500 / 3500 van yet are those pressed and sealed hubs like on front wheel drive cars.

 

[chefdennis]

Havent had the opportunity to work on an 04 and up GMC2500 / 3500 van yet are those pressed and sealed hubs like on front wheel drive cars.

yes they are...non serviceable item..hub, wheel studs, bearing, mounting flange, anti lock brake sensor all in 1 unit.....i have been think if I make it to 150,000 miles, ill replace them just because....

 

[BobWolf]

If you have a bad hub you will have a vibration when banking usualy at highway speed 40+ mph
best way to describe the sound it kinda sounsd like a worn tie rod right side right hub left side left hub. Best to replace both at the same time as you might need an alingment especialy if you have to pull the whole stering knuckle its rare but some are down right miserable and need to be torched and pressed. Usualy because of neglect.
Car Quest and Napa sells a lubrication needle you can service sealed ball joints and lube them up when new you need to get arround the snap ring and boot. You can peirce the boot on older ball joints and seal it with RTV however the boot needs to be perfectly clean its 50/50 it wont seal use laquer thinner dont peirce new boots.
Im not sure about hubs if this will work or not because the jacketing is preaty thick if theyre abbout shot and you need that extra few miles to get home it may be worth a shot be careful they are sharp and grease dosent go well with human flesh.
On my own front wheel drive vehicals I have used MOOG, Raybestos, and National with good luck.