so i spent most of yesterday driving around pittsburgh looking for a 54mm socket so i could change my wheel bearings...nobody in this whole frickin' city seems to sell 'em. seems like 39 is about the biggest anyone around here has...arrgggh...guess i'll get one online and change the bearings next weekend...

(got some interesting looks from some autoparts store clerks...the best of which was "man, that's big...are you sure it's metric?" <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />)

anyway, it was so nice out i had to do somethin' on my truck today...so i decided to deal with the little bit of coolant i've had spraying past the clamp at the end of my upper radiator hose...drained the coolant to clean up the fitting and seal it back up (hopefully)...

as per usual, when burping the cooling system upon filling it back up (by running it without the cap and with the front of the truck raise), the burps splashed a bunch of coolant out of the top of the radiator...which runs down onto the fan...which sprays it all over everything. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

there has to be a better way...

anyone know of one?

do you even really need to burp it given that it has the overflow tank? can you just sort of let it burp into the tank and then keep filling the tank up when it sucks it back in?

thanks.

on changing that bearing. I used a screwdriver gently against the side of the nut along with a hammer to tap tap tap it counterclockwise untill it came loose. I dont think this hurts anyting. But it makes a torque seting when you put it backtogether impossable.

fyi you can use a 2 1/8" standard socket from Sears.

My thoughts ed zacherie. And on the coolant burping...dont fill it up to the top of the tank Stan! Leave the coolant level down about 3/4" (half full) and when the t-stat opens and the cores come into view top it off full, replace the cap and drive it like it was stolen. As long as your overflow is at the proper level the rest will take care of itself. After your first drive, top off the resevoir as needed and dont worry about having to wipe up that sticky expensive mess.

~Darin <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" />

Or install a T in the top most part of the heater hose, thread cap on loosely and let it dance like a pressure cooker thingy that bounces around. When you get coolant starting to drio off the T tighten her down and top off the coolant reservoir. Very clean way to do it infact.

ah...duh...yeah, ya'd think i could figured that one out on my own...

thanks darin. i like the T idea, too...might have to try that out next time.

i thought about getting a 2 1/8 socket at sears when i went there looking for the 54mm...wasn't sure it would work, though. and it's 3/4" drive...my rachet and torque wrench are 1/2" drive...would have had to get an adapter, too...

anyway, i found a 54mm socket online for $10 (plus shipping), so i think i'll just order one of those.

pepboys is selling them. i saw them a few weeks ago. different sizes too. is toyota using 2 1/8 or 2 1/4? i have
54mm from snap on.

get yourself a spill free funnel and get it over with. they are really cheap. fits most vehicles and wont explode coolant all over you. i got mine from matco but ive seen them anywheres from pepboys to tool trucks(snap-on,matco,mac)