Recent content by Brett Stoner

You need a CDL if the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the truck is over 26,000 lbs. If the vehicle is under 26,001 lbs gross vehicle weight rating then you do not need a CDL. You only need an air brake endorsement if the truck you are driving requires a CDL and has air brakes. So if...

Out of the several thousand commercial vehicles I have inspected and crashes I have reconstructed I have yet to see a parking brake spring failure or a crash related to the failure of a parking brake system. I have seen numerous ones out of adjustment, other broken components, and rusted out...

The dealer either had a bad batch of hub/bearings from the bearing manufacturer or you have a serious vehicle defect! I used Timken from RockAuto. Do you go hardcore off-wheeling that is getting dirt and water in the bearings? Do you have an unusual offset rim placing undue stress on the...

Tires, lack of weight, and open differential are the largest factors. Open diff, with all-season treads, and no bed weight will quickly drive you crazy in the snow. Spin spin spin. LOL. If you buy good quality tires with a good tread pattern, and add several hundred pounds in the back you will...

Great advice! I found on my 04 with 90k the idler pulley and tensioner bearings were shot and made noise when spun by hand. I could feel the roughness as I spun them as well. Also clean pulleys as well and check for misalignment. I use Gates or Goodyear Gatorback. Never had a problem with either.

I replaced the upper control arms (with new bushings and ball joint) on my 2004 with 75k at the time. I just replaced the lower ball joints as the bushings looked fine. You can get new lower bushings at rockauto for around 10-15 a bushing.

Rent the tools. You have 90 days. You basically buy the loaner tools then return them when you are done and get your money back. For the minimal times you do ball joints I can't see it being cost effective. I think I typically do ball joints one time for each vehicle I own around 100k. I can't...

Chrome all the way! Sync bookmarks and history between different computers and my phone. All ads blocked. All passwords and forms automatically filled. And articles on a dozen pages go straight to print preview so it's all on one page. I love the add ons!

I run 265/75R16 General Grabber AT2 with a TT and stock out back. Only slight rubbing on uphill slow hard turns like pulling up into a driveway. The tire rubs on the plastic shield. Very minor. It's a good look with 32" tires!

You can run it with the tire size off. No noticeable difference in the past 20k of mine being 8% off. Dealer can change it. Or you can with a tuner. Ultragauge will not correct your speedometer. You can correct the speed on the Ultragauge so it reads accurate but it will not change...

Sounds to me a transfer case rebuild is in order. I think we are all confused. Can you answer the following: 1. You rebuilt the engine because of the 4wd issue? 2. You rebuilt the transmission because of the 4wd issue? 3. You mention no chain? What led you to that conclusion? 4. When you...

Passenger side is bank 1. Driver side is bank 2. So you are looking at the passenger rear O2 sensor. Front O2 sensors are used by the engine to control the air/fuel ratio. Rear O2 sensors are used to monitor the efficiency of the cats. Front ones critical to fuel efficiency and proper operation...

Seems like a mess. I just loosen all the bolts. Start in a corner and work back on both sides removing bolts as you go. Eventually the seal will pop and it will pour out of the low corner. Keep removing bolts till you drop the whole pan. I use an air rachet so I can hold the pan up with my other...

I did my suspension at 75k. Ordered parts at RockAuto and used the 5% discount. Much much cheaper then local stores even with shipping. I did the following: Inner and outer tie rods Front and rear shocks Front wheel bearings/hubs Upper control arms/ ball joints Lower ball joints...

I would do a load test if you have a tester or run over to Autozone and get a load test done for free. If battery and alternator check out I would keep running it till the battery dies or slow cranking. It may be bad or it may last you another year or two. Don't know unless you get the battery...