Help from a Denver VXer?

[twalker920]

I need some help diagnosing a clunking noise on the left side...I think maybe something in the suspension. If any of the Denver area folks are available some weekend, I'd supply the tools and beer.

Not too excited about finding out what it is halfway to Moab...

[VxSport]

I can come into town on Sunday mornings (most) to help you do some checking into the problem. pm me. we might even be able to get a little meet going.

Meet & Wrench anyone?


I need some help diagnosing a clunking noise on the left side...I think maybe something in the suspension. If any of the Denver area folks are available some weekend, I'd supply the tools and beer.

Not too excited about finding out what it is halfway to Moab...

[bartmanS4]

Let me know when and I'll try to be there!

[gunbarrelvx]

I might be up for stopping by if this is on Saturday.

[Mile High VX]

Count me in...if the time works I'll be there...:bwgy::smilewink:bgwo::bgwb:

It's getting close to do my timing belt!

[VxSport]

Me too.... Timing belt and water pump before Moab.


Count me in...if the time works I'll be there...:bwgy::smilewink:bgwo::bgwb:

It's getting close to do my timing belt!

[twalker920]

Oh, I should do my timing belt too, now that I confirmed from the previous owner that he didn't do it.

I have a decent size, but not huge garage (oversized 2-car) and a 3-wide driveway. I'm at the C470 and Quincy exit on the SW side of Denver.

I am open this weekend or next. Weather is supposed to be in the low 50s this weekend it looks like. If someone has a better location I am game too.

I have plenty of basic tools, but no special tools to speak of. Where do you guys get your timing belt kits from? I had an ebay page bookmarked:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Timing-Belt-Water-Pump-Kit-Isuzu-Vehicross-99-00-01-V6-/360592733808

I saw previously on the forums that this kit was decent. Thoughts? Maybe we could get a bigger discount if we buy several?

Let's make some plans! Also, thanks for the great response :)

If we meet at my house, we could go have margs/beer at the Morrison Inn afterwards (or before/during).

[Y33TREKker]

I miss living in Colorado. :(

[tom4bren]

Y'all realize that you'll be lucky to get ONE timing belt done in a day. Getting 2 done will be a herculean effort.

[twalker920]

Y'all realize that you'll be lucky to get ONE timing belt done in a day. Getting 2 done will be a herculean effort.

Well gee I was picturing a production line type setting where we all step through it at the same time :)

Not so much?

[tom4bren]

Well gee I was picturing a production line type setting where we all step through it at the same time :)

Not so much?

I have no response to that.:)

KUDOS if you pull it off!!!

[twalker920]

Well, again, I just want to know what's clunking on my truck, and hopefully fix it if we can figure it out. The engine is purring like a kitten, but I need to do the timing belt at some point. I'll help someone with their timing belt if I can get help for my issue :)

[mdwyer]

...on the other hand, you might as well try to pull together another Colorado VX meet. We sure seem to be having a lot of those of late.

Not that I'm complaining!

[VxSport]

I am all for helping you with the clunk. I was also just stating the timing belt before moab. I do lots of projects on my rig during the witching hour, midnight madness wrenching.
Lets work at getting a mini coffee meet going, help you diag your clunk. Sunday Am works for me. We might be able to get a few others to pop in to.


Well, again, I just want to know what's clunking on my truck, and hopefully fix it if we can figure it out. The engine is purring like a kitten, but I need to do the timing belt at some point. I'll help someone with their timing belt if I can get help for my issue :)

[twalker920]

Lets work at getting a mini coffee meet going, help you diag your clunk. Sunday Am works for me. We might be able to get a few others to pop in to.

Sounds good. This Sunday? There's a big Starbucks on Wadsworth just south of Bowles on the East side. Lots of parking. Used to be a Krispy Kreme before Carbs became the new Killer of the Moment.

[VxSport]

This Sunday works fine for me. Let's do the Starbucks that you mentioned. I lived in that area about 7 years ago, so no problem finding it. We'll see if some others can make it too.
How about 10:30 am @ Starbucks, weather should be nice on Sunday, so I will be in the Ebony VX.

[tom4bren]

... weather should be nice on Sunday, so I will be in the Ebony VX.

Ahhh, arriving topless. I usta could do that ... but time hasn't been kind (I used to skinny dip ... but now I chunky dunk).

[twalker920]

How about 10:30 am @ Starbucks, weather should be nice on Sunday, so I will be in the Ebony VX.

Works for me. See you then and whoever else wants to show!

[VxSport]

Anyone else available for a Meet, Greet & Diagnose on Sunday @ 10:30 am? Let's get together for a cup of Joe.

[MSHardeman]

Would love to meet up with y'all, but I'm heading over to Telluride on Friday for the weekend. I'll get over there for one of the Denver meets, I swear. It would be great to put faces to screen names.

Have fun replacing those timing belts.:eek:

[VXorado]

Put me down as "maybe", "if possible", or "love to but..." :_confused

If i'm free, i'll be there!!! There's a chance Amy and I will be staying up in the mountains Saturday night for a ski trip. There's also a chance we'll be skiing Saturday and returning home the same day. If we come back Saturday, I should have no problem meeting up for coffee and clunking.

Also Tom, I had a clunking a while back when I went over bumps. After a lot of troubleshooting, I found play in the lower driver side ball joint.

I posted the question on the planet and recieved some other good suggestions worth looking into.
http://forum.planetisuzoo.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=60654

[twalker920]

Also Tom, I had a clunking a while back when I went over bumps. After a lot of troubleshooting, I found play in the lower driver side ball joint.

The more I hear it, the more I think it sounds like suspension or something like the ball joint. It tends to happen more when I am on bumpy surfaces or coming to a stop.

Turning the tunes up is my temporary fix, but having a ball joint fail on Poison Spider Mesa (or where ever) would not be a good thing. Cue Wiley Coyote falling very very far down to the Colorado River. SPLAT!

[jasonm621]

I have the pre drilled bar "tool" to get that crankshaft pulley nut off and back on torqued to spec. Youre more than welcome to using it! I probably couldnt help much with the mystery clunk but i think if i had to do a timing belt again i could do it in about half the time! I just bought the all in one dayco kit from autozone. It comes with the belt, tentioner, tentioner pulley, Idle pulley, and the water pump. Pretty nice kit although there is no marks on the timing belt. Its not a problem as long as you pay very close attention to the marks on the cams and project those marks over to the new belt with a silver sharpie... Let me know when you wanna take the plunge and we can have that beer we were talking about!

[Mile High VX]

I'm planning on being there for awhile...:bwgy::smilewink:bgwo::bgwb:

VxSport if you're coming through Castle Rock let me know and we can convoy over to Starbucks!

[VxSport]

Sounds good to me..... meet at your church? 9:45?


I'm planning on being there for awhile...:bwgy::smilewink:bgwo::bgwb:

VxSport if you're coming through Castle Rock let me know and we can convoy over to Starbucks!

[Mile High VX]

Sounds good to me..... meet at your church? 9:45?

Works for me...see you Sunday.

[VxSport]

[QUOTE=VXorado;276274]Put me down as "maybe", "if possible", or "love to but..." :_confused

If i'm free, i'll be there!!!

Let me know if your going to be there on Sunday, if so.. I will bring the part that I have on hold for you.

[bartmanS4]

Is this the place your talking about? Around 10:30 Sunday right?

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=wadsworth+and+bowles&hl=en&safe=active&hnear=S+Wadsworth+Blvd+%26+W+Bowles+Ave,+Littleton ,+Colorado+80123&t=m&z=16&iwloc=lyrftr:m,11426143071619512119,39.606316,-105.090623

[twalker920]

I have the pre drilled bar "tool" to get that crankshaft pulley nut off and back on torqued to spec. Youre more than welcome to using it! I probably couldnt help much with the mystery clunk but i think if i had to do a timing belt again i could do it in about half the time! I just bought the all in one dayco kit from autozone. It comes with the belt, tentioner, tentioner pulley, Idle pulley, and the water pump. Pretty nice kit although there is no marks on the timing belt. Its not a problem as long as you pay very close attention to the marks on the cams and project those marks over to the new belt with a silver sharpie... Let me know when you wanna take the plunge and we can have that beer we were talking about!

Definitely! Can I ask how much the Autozone kit cost?

[twalker920]

Is this the place your talking about? Around 10:30 Sunday right?

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=wadsworth+and+bowles&hl=en&safe=active&hnear=S+Wadsworth+Blvd+%26+W+Bowles+Ave,+Littleton ,+Colorado+80123&t=m&z=16&iwloc=lyrftr:m,11426143071619512119,39.606316,-105.090623

You are correct sir! See all youz guyz Sunday morning :)

[VxSport]

I we see eveyone at Starbucks @ 10:30am today.

Mile High, I will see you at the church parking lot in Castle at 9:45am

[Mile High VX]

Great to see everyone this morning...sorry I had to cut out early.

Special thanks to bartmanS4 for allowing me the great joy of driving his VX with his 5 speed swap...can you say burnout....:smilewink:bgwo::bgwb::bwgy:

Simply awesome!

Now I have a whole new project to consider and my beautiful bride will not be happy...

[twalker920]

Yes thanks all who showed up! Great to meet everyone, and see Mile High again! I think we got my noise figured out (sticky/worn front sway bar mount). So I have a project for next weekend. Colorado folks need to figure out the Moab convoy details at some pooint, and if you're camping I will post the RV/Campsite I will be at shortly (with the luxo-5th wheel including garage o' toys).

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/medium/IMAG0545.jpg

I was behind BartmanS4 for a few miles. Got a few double takes as the two silver VXs went by. His 5-speed conversion blew me out of the water on the on ramp! Not that we were going fast or anything illegal...

[bartmanS4]

Ha Ha, sweet! I went over to Saudi Aurora afterwards and got it stuck in the mud, I was able to get backed out but man that was some sticky clay. Good meeting you guys and looking forward to the Moab convoy!

[VxSport]

It was great to see/meet our little coffee crew yesterday. Great weather for a drive, today is a little different. Yesterday it was 58 & sunny, today is 35 with snow storm.

Twalker keep us informed on tracking down your front end clucks, I guess. Energy Suspension products is the front sway bar kit.

And Bartman we do need to go for a test drive in ur 5spd. We can do coffee again anytime. sorry I was running out of time.

Mile High..... my wife loves your Dragon so much, Great to see you and convoy to Littleton, I did see a few people pointing at the vx's.

[VXorado]

I'm glad you guys had good weather after the last 20 degree meet. I'll be there for the next one... :_beer:

[VxSport]

Sorry you missed such a nice day.... Hope you had fun in the mountains. See ya next time.


I'm glad you guys had good weather after the last 20 degree meet. I'll be there for the next one... :_beer:

[twalker920]

Dangit all. I ordered Energy Suspension bushings per Chris' advice, and I got them today (oddly enough Amazon was the cheapest)...but...

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/medium/IMAG0558.jpg

That hole looks awfully small. Checking the p/n I appear to have ordered (or at least received) the ones for the rear (9.5156), not the front (9.5163). And I wanted to get this done this weekend. Bah!

I guess I may as well do the rears as well now, since I am sure they are in no better shape than the front.

Ordering the front ones now, except that if I want them in 2 days they only have black left...I was looking forward to the red, but I guess it really doesn't matter.

[Mile High VX]

..I was looking forward to the red, but I guess it really doesn't matter.

The red quickly turn to black...I bought the red, but after a few weeks you really wouldn't have known it...:bwgy::smilewink:bgwo::bgwb:

[VxSport]

They only turn black if you don't go out and scrub them with a tooth brush. lol


The red quickly turn to black...I bought the red, but after a few weeks you really wouldn't have known it...:bwgy::smilewink:bgwo::bgwb:

[mdwyer]

I'm glad you guys had good weather after the last 20 degree meet. I'll be there for the next one... :_beer:

Sorry I missed out on this one! I knew I was forgetting /something/...

Not that I could have gotten the VX out anyway... it was trapped behind a decontamination shower. (It's been a great month... :( )

[VXorado]

Sorry I missed out on this one! I knew I was forgetting /something/...

Not that I could have gotten the VX out anyway... it was trapped behind a decontamination shower. (It's been a great month... :( )

Sorry Michael. Is the house finished with the fix up?

[mdwyer]

Sorry Michael. Is the house finished with the fix up?

Well, the cancerous ceiling is gone, and I've got a new water heater, but the new ceiling is poly tarp. The doors are still taped shut, so although I can get to my fridge, I have to go out the front door and walk around the house and walk in the side door to get to it. It makes running to the fridge for a beer much less appealing.

I have no idea when they're going to get around to doing the rebuild... It is SO frustrating. I'm itching to have everyone over, but it is going to have to wait a bit longer...