Finally did some maintenance!

[George G.]

Thanks to everyone here that gave me info on the Rodeo. The FAQ was way helpful. Last week I replaced the shocks with Monroe Sensatracs, fuel filter, plugs and tranny fluid. The tranny fluid wasn't too bad. I found a nice pump that screws on the quart bottle. Fuel filter was a piece of cake, plugs too. Front shocks was a 10 minute job....but the rear shocks. Sometimes I wonder who designs these things. There was no room for an air ratchet and of course the nut just spins the shock rod with it. I had to wedge some pliers around the rod below the bushings and was able to loosen the nut a 1/4 inch at a time.

Next on the agenda is the rear diff fluid, front and rear brakes and bleed all the old fluid out. I'd also like to replace the power steering fluid. Has anyone done this? I read a post on here once where the front brakes are a PITA and the only manuals I found go to 1996. I've done brakes many times so I don't know what can be different. It's 2WD. Can someone shed some light on this? I have the pads and hub gaskets. I just don't like surprises.

[amigo-2k]

for the power stearing fluid I just remove the lower hose to the resivor and refill it once a year. Its not a flush, but at least it is getting some fresh fluid.

[SOLSTER]

How's the ride with the new shocks? how was it before? how many miles on the rodeo. i'm trying to decide if I should do mine now, or next year (i've got 60k on my 99 rodeo) . thx!

[rodeo02]

Yeah, The pre 2002 rodeos dont have floating rotors, so the wheel bearings are pressed into the rotors. You have to disassemble the hubs to pull the rotors. Not a big deal. Planetisuzoo has a really nice wite-up on that. Like amigo2K did for his p-steering fluid, I popped the screen out of the filler hole on mine, sucked the old ATF out & put new stuff in. I'll do that every so often.
G/luck
Joel

[mwt]

Originally Posted by SOLSTER

How's the ride with the new shocks? how was it before? how many miles on the rodeo. i'm trying to decide if I should do mine now, or next year (i've got 60k on my 99 rodeo) . thx!

I put the Monroe matics on my 95.5 4WD last week. DO NOT EVEN BOTHER . The thing bounces all over the road. I thought I would do the chap ones and it was a big mistake. I talked to the manager at pep boys telling him they were worse than the originals with 75K and he is supposed to get back to me about a refund if I buy the sensatracs.

Mike

[SOLSTER]

hey, mwt (mike), keepus posted if/when you get the sensatracs! tell us what you think then. thx

[George G.]

Solster,

I'd go ahead and do it. Mine had about 115,000 miles. I could compress the old shocks with 1 arm and no effort and they wouldn't even expand back. Bounce feels a little more under control, hwy speeds feel safer and bumps are a little more solid and doesn't rattle every loose thing in the car. I'm sure it needed it long before I actually did them.

I'll look for that write up on the front brakes. By the way, any special tools needed for that hub disassembly?

[amigo-2k]

i put senatracts on my 2000 at 50k or so, I have 56k now and I love em!

[George G.]

How much cheaper can the Monroe's be? The sensatracs were 29.99 each and they have a Shocktober special, buy 3 and get 1 free via mail in rebate.

[mwt]

Originally Posted by George G.

How much cheaper can the Monroe's be? The sensatracs were 29.99 each and they have a Shocktober special, buy 3 and get 1 free via mail in rebate.

The Monroe matics were $17.99 and the way the add looked they were buy 3 get one free. When I took them to the counter the guy gave me the rebate form and I saw they weren't included the the rebate.

The guy at the counter looked at the add and only charged me for Three.

I lost my job three weeks ago and my wife is watching money like you wouldn't believe.

Mike