NINE Post-Trail Inspection Tips
You probably do a good job of inspecting your vehicle before each four-wheel drive outing. After all, you’re concerned about possible breakdowns while on the trails.
However, does your vehicle get the same level of TLC at the end of the trip? Drivers are often anxious to leave a destination and figure they’ll inspect everything once they get home. The fact is, you should inspect your vehicle after every trip as it’s important to verify that your vehicle is prepared to make the journey home.
The two major things you want to know is that you can steer and stop the vehicle. So, use a methodology for your inspection, which is a systematic approach or process. It should have specific duties, ensure the vehicle receives a thorough inspection, and is repeatable. Use a checklist if you feel more comfortable.
My process is to divide the inspection into three major steps:
1. Walk around the outside (do the “360”). Inspect the outside and underneath.
2. Look under the hood.
3. Inspect the inside of the vehicle.
Develop a pattern to follow including inspecting your rig from top to bottom, front to back, and left to right. Conduct this entire process often. While this article is in response to a recent question “What should I inspect after a trip,” it’s a great process to follow before the trip. The goal is to burn the vehicle into your memory and be very familiar with many of components when it’s in good working order, so you’ll notice even the smallest issue.
Understand that it will take dozens and dozens of inspections to become really familiar with your rig. If it’s a newer vehicle, it could be awhile before you see a problem. So if you’re patient and follow these steps religiously, each post-trip inspection will be done properly. Have you done it 100 times and found nothing? Keep doing it.
1. Inspect the Outside, Top to Bottom
Begin with the “360” walk around. You’re looking for significant issues and damage to see if anything is loose or hanging down, particularly under the vehicle. Then, be sure to conduct these more thorough steps.
2. Tail Pipe Inspection and Leaking Liquids
Check that the tail pipe is not crushed flat. In some cases smashed tail pipes need to be cut off after prying it open several times. Also, watch for a puddle or dripping liquid under
the vehicle. If the liquid is pink or green, smells like oil or gear oil, you’ll need to take a closer look under the engine. Don’t be alarmed to see clear liquid. It’s probably condensation from the air conditioning.
3. Look Behind the Tires
Now get down to ground level and closely inspect underneath. Look behind each tire. Is there any liquid running down? If there is, a brake line could be cracked. Also, inspect the tires for cuts or bulges.
4. A Broken Lug Nut may be a Result of Loose Lug Nuts
Test the lug nuts. Tighten any that are loose. Missing nuts and bolts will jump out at you after many inspections, but loose or ‘slightly loose’ will be difficult to see. You’ll need a wrench to find these problems.
5. Check the Steering
Have your passenger or other member of your group wiggle the steering wheel so you can look at each tie-rod end for play. Be sure to check the connection to the pitman arm and don’t forget to check the sector shaft to see if it is bent or twisted. Check the bolts to the steering gear box as well as the nuts and bolts on the suspension system. Tighten any that are loose. It’s not uncommon for nuts to fall off shock absorbers. Replace missing ones from your supply of spare parts.
6. Specific Inspections for the Conditions
Have you been playing in the mud? When mud is splashed onto the radiator it dries and can plug up the cooling. Blow the dried mud out of the fins with your compressor on the trail and power wash it at home. If you drove in snow or in a muddy/dirty environment, clean the windows, brake lights, and headlights. Look specifically at the bottom of the differential cover (on solid axles) for leaks or seeps. If the bottom cover is bent, hammer it back and check the fluid level. If it is a seep, tighten the differential cover bolts and check the fluid. In both cases, make a full assessment and repair or replace the differential cover and seal it at home. Finally, inspect the gear on the top of your vehicle. Make sure your tool boxes, camping gear, and everything else are latched and secured.
7. Pop the Hood for a Look
What is all this stuff? You don’t need to be a mechanic to understand all the components as you’re just looking for obvious problems. Check fluid levels in the master cylinder and 11
radiator overflow tank. Most vehicles now have clear bottles, so it’s easy to make a quick visual check of fluid levels. Carry a few bottles of each critical fluid. A very low level requires a more thorough search for the possible cause. Use a hands-on approach. Put your hand on each cap. Give all tank caps a light twist.
8. Inspect the Battery and Cables.
Try to lightly twist each clamp and gently pull up. The cables should be tight to the terminals, and the battery still secure in its carriage. Inspect all the hoses and belts. Are they in good shape and attached firmly? Make sure the vacuum hoses are still connected. This is one of those items that jump out at you if you inspect your vehicle repeatedly. A quick glance will tell you whether they’re still on the nipples.
9. Check Filters, Brakes even Storage Areas
If you have been running dusty trails, shake out the air filter or if you’ve been driving through water test the foot brake. The brakes and rotors will be a little slippery. Before you depart, tap on the brakes a couple of times to dry them. Also make sure to clean up your vehicle and see that all your gear is secured in designated areas. After a difficult recovery, lots of gear is moved and pulled out. Your vehicle might have been off camber and it may be difficult to access all storage areas. Now, take the time to stow it properly where it should be. You don’t want this stuff flying around during the drive home. If needed, rearrange all of your navigation, communication, safety, and recovery equipment. Check your fuel, as well. Do you have enough to get home?
A thorough inspection is important after every off-road excursion and you’ll most likely notice problems before you hit the road. Even if there aren’t any problems, the regular inspection builds that muscle memory – the detailed familiarity with your vehicle that is so useful.
This is not a substitute for a thorough inspection when you’re back at home after you clean all the dirt and mud. A clean vehicle and engine allows a better inspection. Remember, some issues can’t be seen. No external inspection, for example, will detect metal fatigue that’s about to happen somewhere. Therefore, problems can and will occur while four-wheeling. A process like this keeps you a little ahead of the curve.
Look under the hood for cracked hoses, broken components or any damage to the battery. Tom Severin is a 4x4 Coach and teaches fourwheel drive owners how to confidently and safely use their vehicles to the fullest extent in difficult terrain and adverse driving conditions. Visit www.4x4training.com to develop or improve your driving skills. Connect with Tom Severin on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ Badlands4x4Instructor/