TIming belt change??

[miller02806]

Can I do it myself? I have access to the auto hobby shop here where I am stationed, with lifts and all the tools I think I will need. Is it hard on these cars (7a-fe). I plan on changing the timing belt, front main seal, and drive belts. Should I change anything else, like the water pump? What would you change out if you were me? Plan on doing this in the very near future.

Also on a side note...if I lost the damn key thingy for my lock nuts on my rims, where can I find a replacement? I don't even remember where I got the lugnuts.

[Bitter]

the idler/tensioner should be changed also.

[kcfan]

Originally Posted by miller02806

Can I do it myself? I have access to the auto hobby shop here where I am stationed, with lifts and all the tools I think I will need. Is it hard on these cars (7a-fe). I plan on changing the timing belt, front main seal, and drive belts. Should I change anything else, like the water pump? What would you change out if you were me? Plan on doing this in the very near future.

Also on a side note...if I lost the damn key thingy for my lock nuts on my rims, where can I find a replacement? I don't even remember where I got the lugnuts.

check the gaskets while you are at it. if they seem worn change them also. also if you lost the lug nut you can hammer a small socket into the lug nut and try it that way but most tire stops have a tool to remove them.

[kevmac]

Yeah that small socket thing works. If you buy a socket with lots of sides and pound it into the lock nut it should bite and spin off easily. Or get a heavy flat head 1/2" bit and use an impact wrench or a breaker bar. And yes do the water pump.

[miller02806]

Well the locking nut is the variety that has a heart shaped indentation in the middle, not the other type. But when I put new tires on it I will go to the shop that will be able to get it off. Thanks for all the prompt replies...keep em comin'!

[sometoyotaguy]

I just did mine, and it's alot more work than it looks like, but if you can use the bay then it would probably be cheaper.

I'd replace:
water pump
tensioner
gaskets
front main oil seal
valve cover gaskets

The water pump is a pain to remove. There may be some tricks, but I fiddled with it until I could work it out.

[ToyotaHankins]

make sure you change the spark plug tube seals too because I skipped that and then its started to leak a month later and I had to pull the valve cover again to fix that. alot of people say to do the water pump too but i didn't bother. I service my cooling system regularily and i didn't want to chang the pump. the first time always takes longer but any time after is a breeze.

[moh2o]

Hi, all I am new here and I am doing the same on my 96 Corolla wagon, with the 1.8 liter 4cly.
Hey I was wondering if I really need to replace the tensioner at 124,000 miles?
I mean is it all worn out by then? It costs $150 out here in cali. Don't mean to hijack, thought it might be good info to for the original poster too.
I am for sure doing all the other stuff like the
-front seal
-gaskets for cover and valve cover
-water pump, 4 sure
-and of course the timing belt

I have done this before on Honda cars back in the early 80's, when it was real easy. Are these 7th gen toyo's very hard ?