Gearbox Oil Change

[richard.c]

Hey Rich

Driving my car to work this morning & on the way back...was expecting my gears to feel a lot smoother after draining all that dirty black oil...but they feel a tad notchy...maybe im imagining it mate...3rd/4th/5th are smoooth and reverse is notchy for everyone i know...but 1st n 2nd...hmmmmmm....do you think maybe it takes time for the new oil to get around??? Let me know your thoughts matey! Thanks

Sammy

Hi again,

Well just checked my gearbox oil, like you said the level plug was easy to undo - unlike the Avensis which was always a sod.

Let a few drops of oil slowly drip out and have to say it looked quite as I would hope / expect - not totally clear like new but for 4 years old it was still quite clean, just a touch of darkness to the drops of oil on my finger - don't wish to alarm you, as there might be some simple explanation, but it makes me a bit concerned about your ' dirty BLACK oil'...??

My gearbox is the standard 5 speed - I think your SR is also the standard thing not a special close ratio version or 6 speed box .. ?

Think you need some help from other members who have more experience of the Corollas gearbox... perhaps start a new thread to get attention quicker ...

[FoxX]

If it helps, i did my last car at 55k and it was black. Also did my new one at 39k and it was also black as expected really, different gearbox on the TS but as someone on here said that its been black even after 20k.

I noticed the notchyness when cold in 2nd to 3rd after the changes, only really started to appreciate the oil after about 4,000 miles when I traded it in Used Motul 75 -90 again on this one. The changes are perfect when the gearbox has warmed up, just takes some time. But assuming that older oils are more viscous (thinner) than newer oils, it may explain why cold gearboxes benefit from this. Not that we want it so thin to seap past the seals!

Certainly didnt get any bits of metal on the metalic sump plug, that doesnt sound too healthy.

[richard.c]

Hi Sam,

Hows the gearbox behaving today - any better ..?

From what FoxX has just mentioned it does raise two questions in my mind - why are some gearboxes producing really black spent oil and is there something about the oil type / manufacturer we are missing ? - eg if you use Toyotas formula ( think its made by Esso ? for them ) does the gearchange stay smooth as it was before the oil change or does it need to be 'run in' as FoxX suggests ...?

Seems he has used fully synthetic oil but still gets the problem ..?

All seems rather strange to me - am going to pay attention to the gear changes on cold starts for a couple of days, not that I have been aware of any notchy problems, then will change my gearbox oil but am going to carefully save to old oil incase of any wierd problems.

Hope some other members can shed some more light on things to make more sense of whats happening....

[molveees]

personally i wouldnt touch gear box oil at all if there are no problems with gear box.. mine has done 103k & never touched it. gearbox is like new & no probs with shifting notchiness etc. worst case if you had to do it, any 75w90 full synth will do. toyota standard stuff isnt the only option.

[SAM LOVERS HER TOYOTAS]

Hi Sam,

Hows the gearbox behaving today - any better ..?

From what FoxX has just mentioned it does raise two questions in my mind - why are some gearboxes producing really black spent oil and is there something about the oil type / manufacturer we are missing ? - eg if you use Toyotas formula ( think its made by Esso ? for them ) does the gearchange stay smooth as it was before the oil change or does it need to be 'run in' as FoxX suggests ...?

Seems he has used fully synthetic oil but still gets the problem ..?

All seems rather strange to me - am going to pay attention to the gear changes on cold starts for a couple of days, not that I have been aware of any notchy problems, then will change my gearbox oil but am going to carefully save to old oil incase of any wierd problems.

Hope some other members can shed some more light on things to make more sense of whats happening....

HI Rich...

Nah still the same...1st n 2nd still a likkle notchy...i could swear they were smoother before...maybe i should have kept the old oil and ummm...nah thats crazy...let me see how it goes for a week or two...then maybe i'll change it again to say a thinner oil??? On a more positive note however Since the service...the engine sounds/feels electric as it warms up...fuel economy is pretty good too compared to that dreaded Avensis! Hows you Rolla doing? Are you working on anything yet?

Sammy

[richard.c]

Nah still the same...1st n 2nd still a likkle notchy...i could swear they were smoother before...maybe i should have kept the old oil and ummm...nah thats crazy...let me see how it goes for a week or two...then maybe i'll change it again to say a thinner oil??? On a more positive note however Since the service...the engine sounds/feels electric as it warms up...fuel economy is pretty good too compared to that dreaded Avensis! Hows you Rolla doing? Are you working on anything yet?

Sammy

Hi Sam,

Well still think their is some better explantion to all this - partic the Black oil.

Like you I have driven the Corrola for 2 months on a daily basis; and never been aware of any gearbox problem, quiet the reverse as I found its gear selection quiet positive ( unlike a Yaris road test where I could not really tell where the gears were and kept pushing it into 1st instead of 3rd )

Anyway I have been paying attention to the gearchange each morning and yes there is a little hint of notchyness to 1st and 2nd when cold but once really warmed up they are as slick as the rest - however that degree of notchyness is not a problem to me in anyway.

Also we did have a good few frosty mornings the other week and the gearbox oil should have been a lot colder but I never noticed any problems..

Really undecided what to do, with so many saying do not change it, but those who do like you have very black oil, and then the notchyness with new oil ....??

You said the oil you got was Semi Synth - noticed that at ECP you can get 2 ltrs of fully Synth for a tenner - for that and 30 mins I think if I was you I would try that, keeping the drained semi oil just in case.

Not actually started doing the 4 year servie -still clearing out the garage, its been a builders workroom for the last few months while the drive was re-done.

[FoxX]

Fully synthetic will last longer at the end of the day, so its probably worth paying a little extra.

Don't think any of the guys here would recommend putting a thinner oil in the gear box, the next grade down is 70 80w, which is supposed to aid in cold gear changes - but your sacrificing the extra protection of the added thickness when the gearbox is hot. I think Honda gearboxes work well on this stuff, but thats not us.

[SAM LOVERS HER TOYOTAS]

HI Rich

I think if your gear changes are smooth...you'd rather leave it as it is...i only did mine for the hell sake of it as i did to all my cars...my father who passed away recently...a motor technician of nearly 35 years used to advise me its best to do it whenever i buy a new car as part of my major service to keep it healthy and for peace of mind!

Saying that today my gears were pretty smooth...Truth is my partner was watching my driving style yesterday, he recons im finding the gears a little notchy as i dont put my clutch in all the way when changing! So today i did and it was kinda okay. I dont know....feeling a little bored as i cant think of any work that needs doing on my rolla this weekend...hmmm...now what can i do????? lol

Sammy

[richard.c]

HI Rich

I think if your gear changes are smooth...you'd rather leave it as it is...i only did mine for the hell sake of it as i did to all my cars...my father who passed away recently...a motor technician of nearly 35 years used to advise me its best to do it whenever i buy a new car as part of my major service to keep it healthy and for peace of mind!

Saying that today my gears were pretty smooth...Truth is my partner was watching my driving style yesterday, he recons im finding the gears a little notchy as i dont put my clutch in all the way when changing! So today i did and it was kinda okay. I dont know....feeling a little bored as i cant think of any work that needs doing on my rolla this weekend...hmmm...now what can i do????? lol

Sammy

Hi Sam,

Sorry to hear about your Dad, he must also have been a great help with the cars..

Have to agree with him about changing the oils regularly, still going to change mine, but will be careful to drain the old gearbox oil into something clean just in case I have problems - think I might go for fully syth, despite the books saying semi is ok.

" Feeling a little bored " - well thats the problem with Toyotas, once you have them serviced there should be nothing to do for 10K / 12 months apart from giving it the occasional polish.

Got in early and finshed clearing the garage out so I'm ready to get under and checking out the brakes etc.

Couple of other tasks need doing - I got one of these reversing kits as thats about the only thing the CC doesn't have - had a simpler 2 sensor one on the Avensis, saved me a lot of problems many times.

My link

Also got some touch up bodywork paint and an alloy wheel repair kit from here as the front alloys have a couple of small scuffs on the rim, have started one section and it seem to be quite good and easy.

My link

Going to order a small bottle of Tardis from eBay as the fronts seem to be peppered with minute specks of tar but they seem really old and difficult to remove - supposedly this is the best stuff to use according to the forums.

[SAM LOVERS HER TOYOTAS]

HI Rich

I think if your gear changes are smooth...you'd rather leave it as it is...i only did mine for the hell sake of it as i did to all my cars...my father who passed away recently...a motor technician of nearly 35 years used to advise me its best to do it whenever i buy a new car as part of my major service to keep it healthy and for peace of mind!

Saying that today my gears were pretty smooth...Truth is my partner was watching my driving style yesterday, he recons im finding the gears a little notchy as i dont put my clutch in all the way when changing! So today i did and it was kinda okay. I dont know....feeling a little bored as i cant think of any work that needs doing on my rolla this weekend...hmmm...now what can i do????? lol

Sammy

Hi Sam,

Sorry to hear about your Dad, he must also have been a great help with the cars..

Have to agree with him about changing the oils regularly, still going to change mine, but will be careful to drain the old gearbox oil into something clean just in case I have problems - think I might go for fully syth, despite the books saying semi is ok.

" Feeling a little bored " - well thats the problem with Toyotas, once you have them serviced there should be nothing to do for 10K / 12 months apart from giving it the occasional polish.

Got in early and finshed clearing the garage out so I'm ready to get under and checking out the brakes etc.

Couple of other tasks need doing - I got one of these reversing kits as thats about the only thing the CC doesn't have - had a simpler 2 sensor one on the Avensis, saved me a lot of problems many times.

My link

Also got some touch up bodywork paint and an alloy wheel repair kit from here as the front alloys have a couple of small scuffs on the rim, have started one section and it seem to be quite good and easy.

My link

Going to order a small bottle of Tardis from eBay as the fronts seem to be peppered with minute specks of tar but they seem really old and difficult to remove - supposedly this is the best stuff to use according to the forums.

You go Rich...i've already got reverse sensors on my Rolla...1st car i've ever had with sensors and i must say they do come in handy at times...annoying at others lol! The ones your going for are cheap in price but look the part...hope your spraying them the same colour as the car...1c0...heard Halfords do a pretty close match paint...but i'd still go with original Toyota paints! The alloys should be an easy job...i've always used hammerite to touch up my alloys...works really well in my opinion. Let me know how the fully synth works out for you...goodluck with your jobs...and i will be posting some pics up this weekend...been saying that for like what...2 months now! Hope you do to one day...takecare

sam

[richard.c]

Hi Sam,

hope your spraying them the same colour as the car...1c0...

The actual sensors come supplied in silver and seem quiet a good match.

heard Halfords do a pretty close match paint...but i'd still go with original Toyota paints!

Well my colour is also 1C0 but haven,t found anyone doing a spray can - asked my local Mr T and they said only the touch up; - do you know of anyone who does ?

The scratch doctor kit seems a very good match and plenty of it compared to the last touch up I got for the avensis from Toyota.

The alloys should be an easy job...i've always used hammerite to touch up my alloys...works really well in my opinion.

Well again the scratch doctor kit comes with a really easy to use almost liquid filler for covering over those kerb grinds, plus a load of sanding papers, silver paint and lacquer -will bear the Hammerite in mind though.

Let me know how the fully synth works out for you

Oh yes, will let you know..

..and I will be posting some pics up this weekend...been saying that for like what...

the new David Bailey then ... ;)

[SAM LOVERS HER TOYOTAS]

Richard...managed to upload a pic of my used gearbox oil...so you can see for yourself...wish i had taken a pic of the new oil to compare side by side but im sure you can imagine that!

And re.Toyota stating they dont do the spray cans...my lord whats wrong with some dealers...they do sell the spray cans...quoted me £8.50+vat for 300mls & you have to buy the laquer seperate. I bought my touch up kit from the dealers...re paint match...hmmm...its not bad n not good either...i think coz the paints so thin on the car in general they made the touch kit to the same standards! Once you touch up you can literally wipe it off in one go...whereas my Avensis silver touch kit was pretty thick in density and did a better job! Anyways goodluck again with the sensors...measure those holes 10 times over before you start drilling...and post us pics once done! And oh try to follow the same distance patterns of each sensor by looking at another Rolla with factory fitted sensors.

sammy

p/s..working on pics of my car now...watch this space

[SAM LOVERS HER TOYOTAS]

Richard...managed to upload a pic of my used gearbox oil...so you can see for yourself...wish i had taken a pic of the new oil to compare side by side but im sure you can imagine that!

And re.Toyota stating they dont do the spray cans...my lord whats wrong with some dealers...they do sell the spray cans...quoted me £8.50+vat for 300mls & you have to buy the laquer seperate. I bought my touch up kit from the dealers...re paint match...hmmm...its not bad n not good either...i think coz the paints so thin on the car in general they made the touch kit to the same standards! Once you touch up you can literally wipe it off in one go...whereas my Avensis silver touch kit was pretty thick in density and did a better job! Anyways goodluck again with the sensors...measure those holes 10 times over before you start drilling...and post us pics once done! And oh try to follow the same distance patterns of each sensor by looking at another Rolla with factory fitted sensors.

sammy

p/s..working on pics of my car now...watch this space

Hey Rich

Havent heard back from you since i put up that pic?? Did you get any work done on the weekend?? I was just thinking...re 1st n 2nd being a teed notchy...i could feel it today maybe coz the weather is terrible here...you dont think its coz i blew into the gearbox do you...sounds silly but i used a piece hospipe to fill my oil with a funnel at the top...but before filling i blew into the hose while the drain plug was off just to get any old oil out...i know no debris went inside coz i was very conscious of that...whats your thought? Surely there cant be much to damage easy in there? Let me know. Takecare

Sammy

[richard.c]

Hey Rich

Havent heard back from you since i put up that pic?? Did you get any work done on the weekend?? I was just thinking...re 1st n 2nd being a teed notchy...i could feel it today maybe coz the weather is terrible here...you dont think its coz i blew into the gearbox do you...sounds silly but i used a piece hospipe to fill my oil with a funnel at the top...but before filling i blew into the hose while the drain plug was off just to get any old oil out...i know no debris went inside coz i was very conscious of that...whats your thought? Surely there cant be much to damage easy in there? Let me know. Takecare

Sammy

Hi Sam,

Well just got in and changed the gearbox oil while it was still hot - used Comma 75w 90 GL5 Semi Synth from my regular local motor factors - same as I always used on the old Avensis.

Can see what you mean about the oil looking black, well for the gearbox anyway. However it wasn't that filthy, if you pour some over a piece of white plastic ( or your finger, not recommended but happens) you will see that the oil is relatively clear - just that when in a deep container it looks worse.

Just ran it up and down the drive - feels normal but the new oil will probably have been warmed up a bit by the still hot engine.

Will be interesting to see how it goes over the next few cold mornings, currently 4c here - saved the old oil just in case !

Will keep you posted there.

As for you blowing down the tube, nah ... cannot see how it could harm anything - think perhaps you are worrying about it more than needed... bit like a cabin rattle, it really annoys until you find it - then it doesn't matter once you locate it, never mind stopping it.

Just out of interest, nothing more, - what guarantee did you get from the dealer.

One little service item needed after 4 year, replacing the batteries in the Keys - only do one at a time though till you prove it works.

You need one CR2016 coin type Battery per key - Maplin sell them about £3.

You need to remove the covers delicately as there are a lot of electronics inside.

Have started giving it a good check over, got the engine bay cleaned up and the Battery terminals cleaned up on Saturday

[SAM LOVERS HER TOYOTAS]

Hey Rich

Havent heard back from you since i put up that pic?? Did you get any work done on the weekend?? I was just thinking...re 1st n 2nd being a teed notchy...i could feel it today maybe coz the weather is terrible here...you dont think its coz i blew into the gearbox do you...sounds silly but i used a piece hospipe to fill my oil with a funnel at the top...but before filling i blew into the hose while the drain plug was off just to get any old oil out...i know no debris went inside coz i was very conscious of that...whats your thought? Surely there cant be much to damage easy in there? Let me know. Takecare

Sammy

Hi Sam,

Well just got in and changed the gearbox oil while it was still hot - used Comma 75w 90 GL5 Semi Synth from my regular local motor factors - same as I always used on the old Avensis.

Can see what you mean about the oil looking black, well for the gearbox anyway. However it wasn't that filthy, if you pour some over a piece of white plastic ( or your finger, not recommended but happens) you will see that the oil is relatively clear - just that when in a deep container it looks worse.

Just ran it up and down the drive - feels normal but the new oil will probably have been warmed up a bit by the still hot engine.

Will be interesting to see how it goes over the next few cold mornings, currently 4c here - saved the old oil just in case !

Will keep you posted there.

As for you blowing down the tube, nah ... cannot see how it could harm anything - think perhaps you are worrying about it more than needed... bit like a cabin rattle, it really annoys until you find it - then it doesn't matter once you locate it, never mind stopping it.

Just out of interest, nothing more, - what guarantee did you get from the dealer.

One little service item needed after 4 year, replacing the batteries in the Keys - only do one at a time though till you prove it works.

You need one CR2016 coin type Battery per key - Maplin sell them about £3.

You need to remove the covers delicately as there are a lot of electronics inside.

Have started giving it a good check over, got the engine bay cleaned up and the Battery terminals cleaned up on Saturday

GLAD to hear it all went well Rich...actually my gear changes were perfect today...maybe there is a setting in period!

True what you said re.the old gearbox oil: about pouring some over a piece of white plastic but i recon any dirty oil is going to look clear on your fingers...you have to think about the overall picture...and thats what you see in the bottle...black oil lol! Surely that cant be doing your gearbox any favours as it wears thin?

Re.the fob batteries...mine were both replaced at the service they did before i purchased the car...infact one was brand new and needed reprogramming as it lost its sync so they had it done at the Toyota dealers.

Finally re.your very verryyyyyyyyyyyy clean engine bay...i did the same...and looks like yours...with all my cars one could eat off the engine as they were always so clean...im very particular like that...i remove the Battery and clean the tray it sits on aswell as polish all pipes,covers,hoses etc. I remember the RAC man commenting on our Toyota Carina 2.0 cdx years back...in all his career he had never seen an engine bay look so new...saying that it was clean to start with lol!

Anyway...sorry to bore you...do keep in touch...look forward to hearing about your reverse sensors install...and some pics of your rolla! Takecare

Sammy

p/s...you asked what guarantee i got with my car...initially it was 6 months....but because i haggled they reduced it to half! I wasnt too fussed about warranty as legally you get 6 months anyway with a dealer.

[richard.c]

GLAD to hear it all went well Rich...actually my gear changes were perfect today...maybe there is a setting in period!

Hi Sam,

Well it was down to 5c when I set off this morning, think if I concentrated on the gears you might say they were a little bit stiffer for the first 2-3 miles, but honestly not a problem . Good that yours seem to be getting easier.

Finally re.your very verryyyyyyyyyyyy clean engine bay...i did the same...and looks like yours...

Thought I would post a pic just to show the oldies can do it too... :)

Anyway...sorry to bore you..

Not at all, its good to share experiences, just posted earlier about a little problem on the brake service and the correct grease which corollaD-D has helped on.

[acetip]

Hi,

In a recent thread AceTip said, without further reply -

View Postacetip, on 18 October 2010 - 10:46 AM, said:

if your gearbox oil level is ok there is no need to change it,it should last for 100000 plus but if you feel happier doing it, then go for it.

Well don't know where he gets the 100k from for the gearbox oil change ...?

Both the Haynes manual and the Toyota service book for my 2006 1.6 3ZZ FE state it should be changed at 40k, or am I missing some point ?

thanks.

hi

sorry for not getting back to you sooner but have had pc problems.

in the toyota tec section under servicing i quote gearbox oil inspect every 48 months thats check level.

in severe conditions change every 48 months.

severe does not apply to the uk, more like rough work in africa,australia etc. having dirt tracks and the like.

some gearboxes dont have drain plugs.when you think of the loads applied to back axles compared to gearboxes and most of them dont have drain plugs

gearbox oil dosnt get contaminated with bye products of fuel as engine oil does.

some cars dont have any level checks of the gearbox.if no leaks it is assumed all is ok.

no harm in changing the oil though,dont know if toyota use a fully synthetic.but if you change it the use it, buy a top brand,not some cheapy one.

the passat i had gearbox was filled with mineral oil but as some people comlained of stiff gear changing in winter vw advised refilling with fully synthetic 75/90 oil and then filled them in production with the same oil.

though i had no problems with the passat box i changed to that oil.i will always remember the can (2 ltrs) was like a bean can,sealed and you had to punture the can to open it (vw own oil).same oil in it when i sold the car.never had any problems after 130000 miles

but as i said if you feel happier changing it go for it.

[richard.c]

Anyway...sorry to bore you...do keep in touch...look forward to hearing about your reverse sensors install...and some pics of your rolla! Takecare

Hi Sam,

Well haven't got round to doing the rev sensors yet, but have just serviced the brakes - been well worth it.

The rear discs and pads were worn just under half way, but the front discs worn by three quarters so perhaps only take one more set of pads before renewal.

Importantly found that both front lower guide pins were starting to corrode around the outer rubber flange - that would be lifting the rubber seal and letting more muck/water in. Was able to clean them up and re-grease ok.

As your car is similar in age to mine, but perhaps been driven a bit harder being a SR model it might be well worth checking yours.

Also painted the calipers in black (understated for CC )and cleaned the inside of the alloys, that really makes them look so much better.

Pity they cannot make the PMs easier to use on this site, they want so much info to use PMs really do not like giving out so much on the web.

[SAM LOVERS HER TOYOTAS]

Anyway...sorry to bore you...do keep in touch...look forward to hearing about your reverse sensors install...and some pics of your rolla! Takecare

Hi Sam,

Well haven't got round to doing the rev sensors yet, but have just serviced the brakes - been well worth it.

The rear discs and pads were worn just under half way, but the front discs worn by three quarters so perhaps only take one more set of pads before renewal.

Importantly found that both front lower guide pins were starting to corrode around the outer rubber flange - that would be lifting the rubber seal and letting more muck/water in. Was able to clean them up and re-grease ok.

As your car is similar in age to mine, but perhaps been driven a bit harder being a SR model it might be well worth checking yours.

Also painted the calipers in black (understated for CC )and cleaned the inside of the alloys, that really makes them look so much better.

Pity they cannot make the PMs easier to use on this site, they want so much info to use PMs really do not like giving out so much on the web.

Hi Richard

Good to hear from you, i havent been up to much recently due to work and the weather. I have purchased a couple of cosmetic things for my rolla however which i need to fit...chrome exhaust end and a chrome garnish strip for the boot lid. My gears seem fine now...so all good!

Re my brakes i think they will defo need some attention soon...all 4 disks n pads will need replacing but there's life left in them at present...maybe another 6 months! They were the 1st thing i noticed when i went to view the car but i thought at the time that it was minor and wont cost the earth to replace and once replaced they'll last me a life time with the mileage i do and plus they're easy to replace as diy project...states 2 spanner level in the Haynes book lol!

Rich you must tell me more about both front lower guide pins starting to corrode around the outer rubber flange...i have absolutely no idea what your talking about or where to look so please let me know. Is this something to do with the suspension??? I had a thought today...re whether its possible to maybe tighten up one's suspension some how to make the ride tighter n stiffer? Any thoughts if its possible?

By the way...hows your shocks...front and rear at your mileage???

Sammy

[richard.c]

Good to hear from you, i havent been up to much recently due to work and the weather. I have purchased a couple of cosmetic things for my rolla however which i need to fit...chrome exhaust end and a chrome garnish strip for the boot lid. My gears seem fine now...so all good!

Re my brakes i think they will defo need some attention soon...all 4 disks n pads will need replacing but there's life left in them at present...maybe another 6 months! They were the 1st thing i noticed when i went to view the car but i thought at the time that it was minor and wont cost the earth to replace and once replaced they'll last me a life time with the mileage i do and plus they're easy to replace as diy project...states 2 spanner level in the Haynes book lol!

Rich you must tell me more about both front lower guide pins starting to corrode around the outer rubber flange...i have absolutely no idea what your talking about or where to look so please let me know. Is this something to do with the suspension??? I had a thought today...re whether its possible to maybe tighten up one's suspension some how to make the ride tighter n stiffer? Any thoughts if its possible?

By the way...hows your shocks...front and rear at your mileage???

Sammy

Hi Sam,

Yes the corolla brakes are a lot easier than the old avensis, the Haynes manual covers it ok as do these photo guides

My link

The guide pins are shown on page 9.8 of the Haynes manual, as with mine a bit of preventative cleaning and regreasing saved the calipers from seizing and needing a set of new pins - about £30 I think.

Also adjusted the hand brake from the shoe adjusters but it also needed the cable tightening, though it was an easy enough job to remove the centre console to get at the adjuster.

Well the suspension /shockers are stiff enough for me, making them stiffer will make the ride so much harder, think you already have low profile tyres on yours are well, so you will really feel every pothole.

Standard shockers should last a good while, provided you see no oil leaks from them, the ' bounce test' is the old way to gauge how good they are - though that is rather a rather cursary method.

For a stiffer and tighter set up, ( why ? ) just look at the many posts on anti roll bars, shockers, springs and lowering etc - lowers your wallet as well !!

Think I've got the PMs working at last if you want to contact me direct.

[richard.c]

I have purchased a couple of cosmetic things for my rolla however which i need to fit...chrome exhaust end and a chrome garnish strip for the boot lid.

Hi Sam,

Would be good to know where you got the chrome exhaust end from and how it fits onto the face down existing pipe ?

Also have you seen or considered fitting the Daylight Running Lights to the plastic cowls that also houses the front fog lights.

Phillip do a quality looking LED kit but there seem plenty similar on eBay for 1/3rd the price.

[SAM LOVERS HER TOYOTAS]

I have purchased a couple of cosmetic things for my rolla however which i need to fit...chrome exhaust end and a chrome garnish strip for the boot lid.

Hi Sam,

Would be good to know where you got the chrome exhaust end from and how it fits onto the face down existing pipe ?

Also have you seen or considered fitting the Daylight Running Lights to the plastic cowls that also houses the front fog lights.

Phillip do a quality looking LED kit but there seem plenty similar on eBay for 1/3rd the price.

Hi Rich

The chrome exhaust end is designed for our face down existing pipe and can only be purchased from Toyota dealers/stealer!

And yes i have actually thought about buying some Daylight Running Lights but havent had time to look into it. Are you gonna go for some? Saw a nice set of Ring lights from Halfords...£24.99...im thinking about it.

By the way...took a test drive for a friend in a grey 06/56 2.0 diesel with 24k on the clock at my toyota dealers yesterday...hmmm...considering the low mileage it drove the same as my car...infact it was a little bumpier on the roads...i thought with much lower miles it wouldve driven/felt alot newer! I must say im much happier with my petrol unit...quicker off the mark and a lot quieter. At least i know what they're like to drive now.

keep in touch...i'll read up on those guide pins tonight...on these cold nights i enjoy a cup of hot chocolate in bed whilst reading my Haynes manual...sad i know lol!

Sammy

[richard.c]

The chrome exhaust end is designed for our face down existing pipe and can only be purchased from Toyota dealers/stealer!

And yes i have actually thought about buying some Daylight Running Lights but havent had time to look into it. Are you gonna go for some? Saw a nice set of Ring lights from Halfords...£24.99...im thinking about it.

By the way...took a test drive for a friend in a grey 06/56 2.0 diesel with 24k on the clock at my toyota dealers yesterday...hmmm...considering the low mileage it drove the same as my car...infact it was a little bumpier on the roads...i thought with much lower miles it wouldve driven/felt alot newer! I must say im much happier with my petrol unit...quicker off the mark and a lot quieter. At least i know what they're like to drive now.

keep in touch...i'll read up on those guide pins tonight...on these cold nights i enjoy a cup of hot chocolate in bed whilst reading my Haynes manual...sad i know lol!

Sammy

Hi Sam,

Well the diesel is about 125kg heavier than the petrol units so probably that is affecting the ride, plus as a small car dealer said who transported his own stock, identical speced cars can often feel totally different, tyres, wheels, balance, suspension geometery etc.

Don't know if diesels are fitted with stiffer springs or dampers ?

It always a big debate, but generally a diesel is only cost effective if your are doing over 15-20K a year.

Well was in Halfords today and looking at those Ring units, quiet a few on eBay as well, bit hard to know the good from the bad ..?

Those guide pins are very simple, you need to remove them to get the brake pads off, once undone you just gently push off the rubber cover and draw the pin out, clean off the old grease, relube with rubber safe red grease or similar.

Seems like the plain lower ones on the front are most exposed to the elements and both of mine were rusting where the grommet fits over it, which would break the seal and let more water in; all the others were ok, but I still gave them a clean and re-grease

As long as the rust is not too bad or the main shaft of the pin badly corroded, then cleaning and greasing should be ok, pack the grommet with plenty of the red grease.

Think you will need plenty of hot chocolate and deicer next week according to the weather forcast ..!