Post-sand wheeling maintenance

The Ruckus · 07-21-2009, 04:03 PM

I just got back from a weekend trip up to the Silver Lake dunes in Northern Lower Michigan. I've been there a few times previously, but always on rental quads or as a passenger in someone else's ride. This wasn't just tooling around on the sand- this was running start, hit the dune at 40 miles per hour and don't let up until you're over the crest, or burried to the frame. Since it was my first time out there driving the Runner, most of my attempts ended in the later.

I know that sand is like water- it gets everywhere and can be fairly destructive. Any preventative measures/maint I should do now that I'm home? I've heard taking apart the brakes is a good idea, but I've also heard that blasting them with my power washer will do the trick without the hassle of disassembling them.

I put the deckplate back in before I got there, and I've checked the airbox- all clean! Can't think of much else. All suggestions appreciated.

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eric-the-red · 07-21-2009, 04:43 PM

A power washer might work on the front, but it's not going to get any sand out of the drums. I would remove all 4 wheels, and the rear drums and give the brakes a good clean. Also an oil change might be a good idea, in case any really fine sand got through the air filter. Wouldn't hurt to give the drivesahfts a good shot of grease as well, there shouldn't be any sand in the u-joints but you never know.

Lotus1 · 09-09-2009, 10:46 AM

Ah yes, good ol' Silver Lake Sand Dunes! I'll be there in a few weeks. I'm assuming you were there over the Labor day weekend? How packed was it?

07-21-2009, 04:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
eric-the-red Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Port Coquitlam, BC Posts: 2,493	A power washer might work on the front, but it's not going to get any sand out of the drums. I would remove all 4 wheels, and the rear drums and give the brakes a good clean. Also an oil change might be a good idea, in case any really fine sand got through the air filter. Wouldn't hurt to give the drivesahfts a good shot of grease as well, there shouldn't be any sand in the u-joints but you never know. __________________ 2001 4Runner 4.30 ratio 1999 e-locked rear axle and front diff; OME881/N91S front; OME891/N86 rear; Tundra brake swap; 1" 4Crawler body lift; 63" 4Crawler SliderZ; TJM T-15 with Warn M8000 winch and Amsteel blue synthetic line; 265/75R16 Nitto TGs or 255/85R16 Truxs MTs; Cobra 75 WX ST cb; Alinco DR635 VHF/UHF ham radio; ham call sign license plates - VE7 EGC

09-09-2009, 10:46 AM	#3 (permalink)
Lotus1 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 247	Ah yes, good ol' Silver Lake Sand Dunes! I'll be there in a few weeks. I'm assuming you were there over the Labor day weekend? How packed was it? __________________ "Tell them I'm comin', and hell's comin' with me !!!!!"

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