Julie Look

We’ve recently had some questions from customers asking the best way to install a Drag Link, so we have put together this helpful guide. The following image shows the Pitman Arm, Drag Link and Knuckle Arm (Boomerang Arm) in position. When the steering wheel is turned the Pitman Arm moves the Drag Link which transfers the rotating motion from the...

What is a Centre Bearing? The Centre Bearing is designed to support the central prop shaft when a two-piece shaft is fitted. It has a large rubber mounting and bearing fitted inside a metal cage which is attached to the chassis. The whole centre bearing mount is fitted to the front section of the rear or rear prop shaft and retained by the flange and central...

For those of you that are new to the Toyota Surf, we have put together a friendly guide on how the Surfs came to be. Along with information about how they have evolved and a few interesting facts that we have learnt over the years. In the early 80’ Toyota was keen to create a passenger version of the pickup...

There are several reasons people fit wheel spacers : To increase stability if you are lifting your truck So you can fit larger sized tyres to your vehicle To improve performance and grip of the wheel By widening the stance it creates greater stability when steering around corners Wheel spacers come in various thickness from about 5mm to 60mm and...

Have you ever wondered what AHC is? Some of our vehicle parts can only be fitted to vehicles with AHC so we have put together a quick guide to help. Firstly AHC stands for Active Height Control suspension or Adjustable Height Control. What does AHC do? Well to keep it short on the Land Cruiser 100 series it allows the...

A. Unfortunately on many models the data given by Toyota does not always confirm what type of differential is fitted, more often it just states “with” or “without” LSD which isn’t that helpful when you need to change your oil, so how do you tell without removing the diff? Toyota simply put an LSD sticker on the differential housing as...

We have put together some help and advice in the event that you start to experience problems with your Radiator. What are the most common problems? The main issues are: Coolant leaks Frequent engine overheating A puddle under the radiator How does a radiator work? The main purpose of the radiator is to cool the internal combustion engine. Unlike radiators...

Brake Disc Tips from RoughTrax If you’ve recently checked your brakes and noticed some strange marks or discolouration then here is some help and advice so that you know what action to take. Normal Wear The braking surface should be flat and smooth with light scoring and visible wear ridges on both the outer and inner edges. There should be...

So how do Shock Absorbers work? Simply put, shock absorbers work by allowing the springs to absorb the energy when your tyre hits a bump in the road. They are essentially oil pumps. A piston is attached to the end of the piston rod and works against hydraulic fluid in the pressure tube. As the suspension travels up and down...

Explore the latest vehicle specifications for the Toyota Land Cruiser KDJ150 & KDJ155 2009-ON model with the 3.0 D4D 1KD-FTV engine code. In this article you will discover the most up to date information of which lubricant type, grades, capacities and service schedules for all areas as well as torque settings, vehicle weights, BHP and much more. All fluids and...

Explore the latest vehicle specifications for the Toyota Land Cruiser KDJ120 & KDJ125 2002-2009 model with the 3.0 D4D 1KD-FTV engine code. In this article you will discover the most up to date information of which lubricant type, grades, capacities and service schedules for all areas as well as torque settings, vehicle weights, BHP and much more. All fluids and...

This article taken from Toyota GB explains what an EGR valve is, what it does and what happens when it fails. The common signs of failure include engine performance issues like decreased power and acceleration, rough idle, and the engine management light coming on forcing the car to drive in limp mode. This article explains everything you need to know about complete EGR valves...

After reading this article you will be able to identify what Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) is, and what you need to look for to find out if you have it fitted. Vehicle Stability Control is also commonly known as its abbreviation VSC. It is one of Toyota’s safety features that helps ensure your vehicle travels in the direction that you are steering. When you are cornering vehicle stability control helps you maintain grip on slippery...

What is the Viscous Heater and where is it fitted? You will need to know this when ordering fan belts on certain Land Cruiser models, we often describe the belt options as “with or without” viscous heater fitted. This is because the length of the belt will vary if fitted.

What is Brake Cleaner? Brake cleaner, often called Brake, Clutch and Parts Cleaner is an aerosol-delivered solvent originally designed to clean grease, oil, brake dust and dirt from brake friction materials. With its easy application and minimal amount of preparation and clean-up time, it can be a quick fix for a dirty under performing brakes. What are the benefits of using Brake Cleaner...

Automechanika is the world’s largest independent automotive trade fair for the automotive industry, holding 16 events in 15 Countries every year. Every two years, the trade fair rolls into Frankfurt in Germany and this year was by far the largest, ever! The fair is the shop window for the automotive market across the entire industry. Here is what just one of...

In warm and dry weather, the diesel engine will start even if one glow plug is defective and only the other plugs preheat. With glow plug failure there will usually be increased pollutant emission and possibly also knocking during start, however, the driver will not consciously take note of these signs, or will not know how to interpret them. There...

Recently the European Union released an R90 type-approval requirement for all replacement Brake Pads & Brake Shoes. It is illegal to supply and or fit any brake friction material that is not R90 type approved. What is ECE Regulation 90? Otherwise known as R90, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe ECE Regulation 90 is now a legal requirement for all replacement brake friction materials (Brake Pads &...

RoughTrax receives many customers enquiring about bull bars every day, and unfortunately we are unable to supply them. It is not our decision not to supply bull bars but an EU legislation preventing us from legally selling them without a pretty hefty fine. We thought we would set the record straight and explain why it is now illegal to sell bull bars unless...

A very common question we are asked by our customers is "What is the difference in RoughTrax premium exhaust quality to others?" Well, let us explain; Who is the manufacturer? The manufacturer for RoughTrax premium exhausts are A2A Exhaust Specialists, A2A stands for Air 2 Air and is a brand name for TMA, their strap line is "OE in everything but name". TMA is the largest independent manufacturer of quality exhausts...