cam6

Thank you Tony for your advice. Cheers John

Thanks Tony for your reply. By a weird coincidence, I was only thinking last week I should get a scanner. Do you, or anybody else suggest a good brand Thanks John?

I've got a first generation Kluger. Today, three things all packed up together. 1) The indicators stopped working (although hazard lights still work) 2) The electric windows stopped working 3) The headlights did not turn off as usual when I opened the door (I had to manually turn the headlights off on the stalk) Has this ever happened to anybody else? Any idea what's gone wrong? Thanks for any info John

Thanks Ashley. Yes you're right. If nobody is interested I'll put it on gumtree. Since I'm a member here I just naturally thought of putting it on here to see if anybody was interested. And yes I'm in the Greater Sydney Area and so I'm part of the lockdown. Fortunately not in the Hot area. Still if it ( the shock's sale ) drags on for a while, it doesn't really matter. I'm in no great hurry. Cheers John

I have a first generation Kluger (MCU 28). I had the shocks replaced at 150,000 K. The mechanic suggested KYB. I was happy with that. They have a good reputation for being a quality shock. The cost was $1200 plus labour. I wasn't happy with the end result. The ride was too stiffish around town for my liking, although to be fair, the car certainly handled a hell of a lot better. And on the highway, and when towing my boat, up or down the coast, it was noticeably more stable. This should be seen in context. When I was a young bloke, I used to have my Holdens and Falcons stiffened up and lowed down to the ground. They rode like track cars and I didn't mind at all. But that was then, and now is now. I'm an old bloke in my 70s, and I like my comfort. After 10,000 K’s I’d had enough. I took the Kluger back to the mechanic and complained. He drove the car and said "yes it is a bit stiff". He got the rep from KYB out to look at the car. The rep said "yes it is a bit firm, but it's within parameters”. He gave my mechanic softer rubber bushes to fit ,and KYB paid my mechanic to replace the bushes. They made bugger all difference. And the mechanic agreed. Checking the KYB site, they did say that they make their replacement shocks stiffer than original to allow for wear in the suspension of old cars. So I told the mechanic to pull them off, and fit genuine Toyota shocks. He did this. Cost for the shocks alone was $1359.60 These are noticeably more compliant than the KYB. However, the ride is still not as smooth or compliant as original. But I guess, this is as good as it's going to get. So now I have 4 KYB shocks for sale. They’ve done 11,688 K’s. If you’re in the market for shocks you can have them for $400 (1/3 of the price). I live in Sutherland Shire. My mechanic felt sorry for me, having spent so much money on the shocks, so he fitted the Toyota shocks for nothing. So I'll split the money with him. If nobody wants them, I'll give them to him, and he said he'll put them in storage, in case a Kluger owner comes in and wants new shocks. He’ll be able to do a deal. To be clear. If you're thinking about putting new shocks on your Kluger, and most of your driving is around town, don't think about these. Go down to Toyota and pay them their $1400. However, if you do most of your driving up or down the highway/motorway, or tow a boat or caravan, a lot, these could be an economic way to replace your shocks. Cheers John

Thanks Ashley Previously I had a 2000 Camry Grande for many years and I fitted KYB shocks. They were slightly stiffer than I expected but I also fitted King springs to stiffen up the suspension a bit ( for better towing of my 1 1/2 tonne boat - worked beautifully). I think the stiffer springs and shocks worked together pretty well. However, I've recently had KYB shocks fitted to the Kluger, and I'm leaving the springs as standard, and I find the ride now is a bit stiff for my liking. It certainly handles a lot better. But the thing is, I'm 75, and these days I drive like a Volvo driver, and I like my comfort, so I would prefer to replace them with a softer riding shock. So if there's anyone out there thats fitted a good riding shock, I'd like to hear about it. Cheers John

Hi all, I have a 2006 Kluger and I want to replace the shocks. Does anyone have any recommendations from personal experience for brand of shocks for the first generation Kluger ? Thanks John

Thanks for the prompt replies fellas.Now I know where I'm going,I'll fix it this afternoon.Cheers John

G'day all I have a 2000 model Camry Grande and the interior light in the centre of the roof (ie the light that comes on when the door is opened) has stopped working. I figure it's probably the globe gone. But I can't figure out how to get to it. From the look of it, the translucent face is not separate, so the whole lot needs to come out. I've tried to "pop" the light fitting loose, but it doesn't seem too keen to come out and I don't want to break the plastic. Does anyone know how to do it ? Is there a secret place to push /lever ? Thanks John.

G'day all I've got a 2006 Kluger and I want to remove the A pillar interior trim to run some cable down it. I've read the manual on how to disarm the airbag system. And I have plastic trim tools. It does look a tight fit. Before I get into it. Has anybody removed this trim ? Any suggestions ? Thanks John

G'day all, About 2 months ago I bought a March 2007 Kluger Grande. Last of the first Gen. Klugers. I'm a bit confused about the all wheel drive system on the Grande. It's a constant all wheel drive system. Unlike the later AWD front wheel drive Klugers which transmit power to the back on demand. Is that correct ? Where I'm confused is from there. I believe the CVX model had a viscous coupling rear centre diff and a limited slip rear diff. But the Grande went to electronics and uses Traction Control and Stability Control to control the power to the wheels. Is this true ? And is this in addition to the viscous centre diff and rear LSD ? Or do the electronics totally replace them? To add further confusion to my little brain, I've been told that for the last of the Grandes, Toyota deleted some electronics and it's a sort of hybrid mix or some such. Thanks John

Thanks John

On the subject of passwords. How do you change your password on this site ? I've decided to standardise my passwords on the various club sites I'm on. This came up when I put " change password" into the search section.. So how do I change it here ? Thanks John

OK I'm surprised. But I guess that's the way it is. Thanks John

Can anyone recommend a good Toyota mechanic in the Sutherland / St George area Sydney? Thanks John

I've just bought a 2006 Kluger Grande. 106,000 kms and the NRMA Inspection said it was a good car. No real problems. The Inspector did say in his report that the front control arm bushes were worn and should be replaced soon. As far as the rear suspension is concerned he said that it was ok but showing wear consistent with the cars age and k's. Is this normal for the Kluger front bushes to chop out so soon ? I had to replace my Camry front control arm bushes at 240,000 ! (And I get the Camry serviced every 10,000 k's, and the mechanic knows that if anything need replacing it will be.) I'm puzzled. Cheers John

I'm looking at buying an 2006 Kluger Is the stability control and traction contol on early Klugers switchable ? ie can you switch them off if you go off road ? I just had a quick look here but couldn't find anything about it Thanks John

G'day all, My faithful old Camry ( a Vienta Grande - hence V6 engine ) has just blown a head gasket. I can't complain. I've owned it for 11 yrs. and its given good service. It's a 2000 model so 14 yrs old and done 220,000 kms. Of that 5 -10,000 would be towing my boat ( 1400 kgs. on the trailer ). 1) What does it cost to have a head gasket ( x2 ) repair job done ? 2) Is it normal for the head gaskets to go at this age /kms. ? Thanks John

For general info - Toyota wanted $420 for the module!! Prior to the above post I was going to do it myself. Who needs it ? What made me a bit hesitant was that I saw the wiring diagram,and it showed a wire going to the computer. This had me puzzled so I chickened out. I didn't want to interfere with any sensor inputs. I paid an auto electrician to do it. Cost $77. In retrospect, the wire was probably just a test wire, so had no operational use, and could have been removed. John

G'day all, I've got a 2000 model Camry (Vienta Grande), and the rear lamp failure module is playing up. Rather than replace it, I'd prefer to simply get rid of it. I regularly check all the lights when I hook up the boat, so why pay Toyota for an unnecessary complication? Has anyone done this? Did it all work OK? If so, can you give me a rundown on it? Thanks John

Thanks for your help. KYB it is. Cheers John

G'day all, I've got a 2000 model Vienta Grande V6 (done 200,000 kms) and I'm going to replace the front and rear shocks. Like everybody I want the car to handle, but the priority is a good compliant ride. Based on your personal experience,what's the best shocks to fit? Thanks John

I've got a 2000 model vienta grande V6, thats done 150 000 k's Some time ago I fitted about 30 % ? stiffer rear springs and shocks for towing purposes - you can feel the extra stiffness when the rear goes over speed humps and suchlike, but I can accept that because it stops rear-end-sag I'm now going to replace the front shocks I'd like a good ride, so although I like the car to handle, I do't want some stiff-riding " super sports " type shocks I wouldn't like the front to feel like the rear Any suggestions on a good riding shock for the front ? Thanks John