4x4 Safety Inspection

Assess the overall condition of the engine and engine compartment. This includes checking the battery holder, battery connections, and battery water level. Also inspect the engine block for signs of a leak. Check around the valve covers, intake manifold, and water pump. Tug on each pulley accessory and watch for excessive play that indicates a potential troublemaker.

Check all the belts for cracking, fraying, or other signs of wear. Make sure all the belts have the proper tension. Hoses usually bulge around the clamps at the radiator or water pump when they're about to expire, but they may also be cracked if the truck has sat for a long time. Also check the condition and level of all the fluids.

Inspect the overall condition of the essential wiring, such as the power wire for the coil and plug wires. The connections shown here look suspicious, and several mystery wires are hanging loose. Find out where any loose wires go and either reconnect them properly if they serve a purpose, or remove them. This is also a good time to check headlight, taillight, dash, and turn-signal wiring.

With the engine inspection complete, it's time to move on to the chassis. Secure the front axlehousing on jackstands and check the condition of the wheel bearings. Grasp the top and bottom of a tire and rock it back and forth to check for excessive wheel bearing play (it's heard as much as it's felt). Any play means the wheel bearings should be repacked, and an extreme amount of play may indicate a bearing is shot. Also check the tire tread for abnormal wear and cuts.

Make sure the hubs operate properly. If they're hard to turn by hand, it's time to service them. Lock the hubs and check for engagement by placing one front tire on the ground and rotating the opposite tire. If the hubs work, the front driveshaft should spin. This is also a good time to remove the tires and inspect the condition of the brake pads or shoes.

Steering components are often overlooked during inspections, but they are essential to your 4x4's safety. Tie-rod ends that are worn and ready to separate (such as this one), not only cause erratic movement on the highway and contribute to nasty bumpsteer, they can kill you. Steering components that are in bad shape should be replaced immediately.