Interior car handle replacement

Do you have the same problem as mine ? The interior handle drop down and it won't retract back up ? It make the interior look messy and old. So after searching in Lazada, I got one of the replacement from China. Cost RM20 each and look great too.

Just use a flat screwdriver to ply it out and you can pull it out later.

The original cover.

The replacement. Colour is different. I bought a beige colour but it look more like light gray.

The colour of the handle look different between the clip and the handle.

This is what happened when pulling the original out. It just broke and the plastic get brittle. 

Hope this will help. It doesn't cost much to make it good. Next is going to buy the driver side sun cover. 

Air conditioner blower

 

If you experience problem with your air-con which you have turn it on but do not feel any wind blow out. Then most probably the blower are gone. It is easily accessible from the bottom of your passenger drawer. 

Do not need to open any panel and can easily remove by pulling the plug and removing 3 screws. Easy to replace. 

Parts number : 272700-0182

Touchwood, mine is not broken so I just snap the photo for your reference. However I do experience once that the blower do not come out with any wind. 

Hopefully it is still ok.

Changed the radiator cap again

 

I had notice that the spare tank of coolant always have traces of coolant on the lips of it. It dried up and seems like overflow. However the reserve tank doesn't look dirty etc. 

Anyway, I think I just buy a new radiator cap and observe whether it can help or not. Maybe the cap got weak after so many years.

Plus, there is a new design. The symbol look more modern and it have a new part number 16401-36030. I bought one and it does feel great. Maybe it just look new. 

Remember that the cap is for 88kPa.

Good a simple DIY

DIY rear door damper

If you bang your head on your rear door mean that you need to replace the damper soon. As the car age, this part will leak and will not support the weight of the door when open to the top.

You just need a flat head screw driver only and you can replace all of it. Just get someone to hold the door for your as safety.

Photo of the leaking original damper

Another view at the middle part

The top

By inserting the flat head screw driver at the angle as specify to remove the clip

The clip will come out and you can pull it out. No need to use hammer or anything hard to hit it. Else the door will misaligned.

Another view.

Get a new set from online shop, I got mine from Lazada. It is not the original but seem like many ppl have purchase it and give it a 5 star. Have a try. It is not too expensive.

Weird that it have a date stamp on the damper as per photo above.

Top view

Bottom view.

Overall, satisfy with the purchase and it does fit properly. I give it a 4 star. 

Stabilizer link and front stabiliser bush

After changing my front and rear absorber, the ride had improved however a new feeling come. The steering feel a bit loose and weird, not that sensitive to turning. So one day after cleaning my car, I bend down have a look at my front absorber and found that the stabiliser link are wet and the rubber seal are broken.

Since I never change this part before, so it's time to find the parts number and get replacement. While looking at it I discover that the front stabiliser also have 2 rubber bushes. Since replacing these, why not just change that too. 

Online in shopee or lazada there are claimed original parts from Toyota but not made in Japan parts available, however there are another 555 brand that made in Japan parts for Toyota Isis. Price is not that expensive so I ordered a set of stabiliser link but I chose the original made in Japan bush as parts of the replacement exercise. 

Front stabiliser link parts number are SL-T490-M or SL-T490 from 555 Sankei. This number can be search via their online website.

The bush parts number are 48815-20290 Original Toyota Parts which is applicable to Toyota Wish too.

It seems both parts can be used for both Isis and Wish. 

Both cost not that much at below RM100 so it is not that bad.

After replacement, the steering feel better, not like driving a lorry with loose steering feel.

Link to 555 Sankei website here :-

http://www.sankei-555.co.jp/products
 

Front and rear absorber

 

After 12 years, finally the absorber will be replaced and this is somehow interesting. I bought all from shopee at a reasonable price and the details as below.

Rear absorber 48531-2850 by KYB and claimed to be Toyota Original Parts.

Front absorber 48520-69085 (Left) & 48510-69245 (Right) also claimed to be Toyota Original Parts.

Both parts come without a proper original box but somehow a replacement Toyota box which is dodgy. 

However both absorber come with UMW Malaysia stickers and seems legit. Parts quality seems ok and look like original parts.

Install both and the mechanic didn't complain a thing. So I assume it is a compatible replacement. The parts doesn't seems to have the same parts number as what I found online.

Anyway, after installing the car felt great and very compliant with speed bumps and road irregularity. However it doesn't feel that comfy as 1st day the car come out as the bushing are not changed too.

Hope this helps all. My advice is to change all the absorber (4) together instead of a pair as you will feel the immediate effect of the cushioning.

Another after effect is the car seems higher after installing. Maybe the car balance out after changing the absorber.

Dens Cool Gear Air Filter & Cabin Filter

 

Just another round of changing filter for the engine and cabin. Both by Cool Gear instead of Toyota Original, which I personally love. Price is a bit more affordable. Bought it from Lazada and doesn't cost too much.

The reason I prefer Cool Gear instead of Toyota Original Parts is because there are too many fake and low quality OEM which carry the label of Toyota Original Parts and nobody will do a fake on Cool Gear as it is already a cheap alternative.

Why do a fake on a cheap OEM ?

Anyway, remember to change the air filter and cabin filter regularly as it is cheap and it just help the engine and cabin stay clean and healthy. Save some petrol too.