GAPIS4WD

One of the first jobs that should be done after a 4WD trip is to thoroughly clean and inspect your vehicle. I f the last trip was a through any muddy terrain there will be lumps of hardened mud around the wheels arches and underneath most other part of the vehicle. Unless this mud is removed, corrosion will eventually occur at these places.

To get rid of this mud you need plenty of water under a good hose pressure. Alternatively, if you have a local garage with one of those "Do It Yourself" pressure car wash units, you can clean the underside at very little cost.



One the underside is clean, it is very easy to check and make sure that everything else is O.K. Items that need special checking are:

1. Brake hoses - for cracks or cuts in the rubber.

2. Brake lines - check to make sure that no wiring have been crushed.

3. Wiring - check to see that no wiring has been broken (ot torn out) particularly around tail lights and front lights.

4. Tyre - inspect the wall of the tyres for any sign of cracks in the casings.

5. Oil leaks - check around the engine, gearbox, transfer case and differentials for any signs of oil leaks. Check all oil levels and top up if necessary.

6. General - do a very careful inspection underneath to make sure that sticks have not wedged in around the chassis and body or up in around the gearbox area.

7. Tie rods - make sure that the tie rod are not bent.

8. Bolts - check all bolts to make sure that they are done up tightly.

9. Rubber bushes - check and see whether all the rubber bushes are still intact on the spring hangers.

10. Grease vehicle - whilst you are still underneath it wouldn't hurt to give it a grease.

11. Brakes - clean out the brake drums and around brake shoes. Check level of brake fluid. Adjust brakes if necessary.

12. Radiator - remove bugs and other matter from the radiator core.

13. Battery - maintain clean, tighten connections to battery. Check electrolyte level.

14. Air cleaner - remove excess dust and grit from element. Replace element if necessary.

Any item that needs fixing should be attended to as possible so that your 4WD is quickly back in a ready condition to be able to undertake the next trip away.