[RoGuE]

We are going on a 1400 mile roundtrip drive to Florida and back in our 2002 Suburban in June. 5 people and 8 suitcases. The car is at 90,000 miles now and had most maintenance done at 58,000 miles, such as transmission (the torque converter was replaced so it got all of its fluid done), the coolant was flushed, and the differential was serviced.

My main concern is the transmission fluid. Does that need to be replaced or should it be fine with 30k miles on it considering it was all replaced?

Also, I guess I should ask, even though the brakes were recently replaced on the back, it feels like they sometimes stick (like when you lift up off the brake pedal, you occasionally hear a noise like the brake is just being released shortly after)? Would this be a sticking caliper, and if so, how would I fix it?

 

[bouda]

At one point the brakes in my neon were slow to release; it was the rubber brake hoses.

I wouldn't worry too much at 90,000 miles.

Why was the torque converter replaced at ~50,000m?

 

[RoGuE]

At one point the brakes in my neon were slow to release; it was the rubber brake hoses.

I wouldn't worry too much at 90,000 miles.

Why was the torque converter replaced at ~50,000m?

I think (I would have to check the records for the exact reason) it was overheating causing the fluid to spill out. I just know it was dripping onto the driveway. It was fixed under warranty so that was good.

 

[member12]

I'd bring it in to have them check the tires, belts, and fluids if you are not comfortable doing it yourself.

Tires are important....want to avoid blow outs. How many miles are on the tires?

I've driven a Suburban with 180,000 miles on it from Baton Rouge to Tuscon and back. Those car are tanks. You'll probably be fine.

 

[RoGuE]

The tires are practically new. A nice nail took care of the old ones and since they needed to be changed in a few thousand miles anyway, he changed them all.

The belt is original so I should probably check that. Good idea.

I can changes oil myself and change spark plugs as well. But I will admit changing out transmission fluid does scare me a little, even if I just do a pan drop (gasket reusable, do the bolts need to be torqued down?)

 

[WishIhadatruck]

Yes you need to torque the bolts to spec. If you over tighten them they might damage the seal or the pan. A pan drop and filter change is pretty easy although messy. You only get 4 out of 10-12 qts of fluid typically when you change the drop the pan on one of these. Much of the fluid won't get changed without a flush unfortunately. It is probably due for a fluid change in my opinion but waiting 1400 miles is no big deal.

If the brakes don't feel right then I'd get them checked out. If you know how you could take the calipers off and check everything for corrosion and lube up the sliders.

 

[likearock00]

I'd save the money used for the check up and blow it on gas.

 

[RoGuE]

I don't have knowledge in removing a caliper unfortunately.

I also don't have a torque wrench which I think would be a worthwhile investment though. What is the cheapest one of those would run?

 

[masrapido]

I don't have knowledge in removing a caliper unfortunately.

I also don't have a torque wrench which I think would be a worthwhile investment though. What is the cheapest one of those would run?

You can pick up a cheap click-type from an auto parts store for ~30, but I wouldn't go with anything less than a Craftsman from Sears (~$80).

 

[bouda]

You may need a torque wrench that measures in inch pounds instead of foot pounds on those tranny pan bolts. Those little bolts don't take much.