Bordercollie wrote:
If you haven't done so, have entire brake system checked and serviced as needed, including brake calipers for non-sticking, front flexible brake lines, and have brake fluid flushed and replaced. Also have engine cooling system checked including clutch fan all belts and hoses. Do you have a way to check tire pressures easily?
x2 on the Brake System! Not particularly before this trip but soon. If that fluid's 10-years-old, time to change! It "could" be done this way with about 90% effectiveness:
1. Use a Turkey Baster and suck nearly all the fluid out of the master cylinder.
2. Fill Master Cylinder and KEEP IT FULL through next step.
3. Bleed each Caliper till it runs clear. Remember item 2. above and KEEP Master Cylinder full.
5. If you're replacing components like Calipers/Flex Hoses, let the steel line drain a little then cap it. You can use a piece of small wiper hose with a golf tee in it to keep it from draining the Master Cylinder.
6. These chassis have ABS and it "can" get dicey to bleed the system if it gets air from Master into the ABS component.
I followed this procedure after replacing calipers and hoses. Front hoses are more critical than rear hoses since they steer and have spring travel.
BC, I think he's already installed a full set of Tire Man valves, so air checking's covered.
My plan, and others may have different ways, for coolant change is drain, catch, measure, replace same quantity with 50/50 gold antifreeze and distilled water.
