SparksLex

So I was pulling out of a parking spot in an unfamiliar parking garage, was going about 7mph and my front passenger side tire ran into a support pillar. Shortly after that, I realized my alignment was way off and that my steering wheel would do this clunking thing at low speed when going from left then past center to right or vice versa. Low and behold I take it to Colosseum Lexus in Oakland and they tell me its 4k for the part and about 500 for the labor... I was stunned to say the least.

So I'm seeing used ones on eBay from about 400-700 bucks and at the moment, being a used/refurb one is what im thinking ill do but im hearing i need to be cautious buying from eBay. I'm also seeing some refurbished ones being sold at various places throughout the internet. One other thing - another friend told me to reach out to a Lexus out of the bay area so I called the Lexus in modesto and he told me 3k for everything... Can the mark up really be that bad due to region?

I'm up for any and all ideas, thoughts here.

Thank you.

metaleckz

iTrader: (9)

Save thousands and buy a refurbished one and go to a well known garage lol

Jeff Lange

iTrader: (1)

There are 3 currently available part numbers for the steering rack on your IS350, depending on how you follow the change-up/supersessions/bulletins. They are all correct for your car, but have different prices. None of them are close to $4,000.

44200-53181 - Newest version of the rack changed up from an earlier TSB - $1637.01 USD MSRP
44200-53131 - Newest RWD rack used in 2012-2013 RWD models (changes up from original) - $2214.07 USD MSRP
04007-06753 - Part from recall originally issued for 2006-2007 IS250/350 models - $1072.31 USD MSRP

If you order the 04007-06753 part online, you can likely get it for approximately $875 for a new rack from Lexus.

But if they were quoting you $4,000 in parts, chances are they were quoting you on more than just the steering rack assembly, since it's nowhere close to that price, no matter how you look it up.

Good luck.

Jeff

Gville350

iTrader: (10)

^What was the TSB on that rack? I've got a '06 IS350 and no mentioning in the service history about anything to do with the rack being worked on or replaced.

GreyHound

iTrader: (1)

Hi GVille350, yes there was a recall for the steering rack back in the day. That was one of the few recalls I let them do. They Re-aligned the car too. Did pretty good, the fronts wear real good. I think I had the rack replaced back in 09 . If your steering hasn't locked up, by now, its not going to
I don't see a TSB number on the work order /receipt
I have a Part number for the rack: 04007-06753

I let them do the recall on changing the fuel lines because alcohol was suppose to eat those up. I don't run alcohol gasoline so its a non issue. I let them change the fuel sensor gasket, but it wasn't leaking.
You're good, Hope that helps some. By the way you were right the larger tires did fit , Thanks !

Have a good one !

sapd911

You have full coverage insurance? Why not take the $500 hit and do it right?

IS-SV

Note: If insurance company considers it to be "collision" (accident), expect insurance rates to go up for 3 years, not to mention $500 to $1000 deductible. In CA that should have been made clear (collision vs comprehensive claim) as part of approval process and prior to work being authorized.

Slammer1

First off, I would call your insurance company and ask them if filing the claim would affect your rate. I hit an 18 wheeler tire retread in my Honda on the interstate a couple of years ago(destroyed the front and rear bumper covers, ripped out my down stream O2 sensor, and damaged my A/C condensor) but it didn't result in an increase because I hadn't filed a claim in 10+ years.... Clearly would have cost way more than my $500 deductible to repair myself.

As for the quote from the dealer, I would definitely call and ask for the Service Manager to break down the $4,500 estimate for you considering what Jeff has mentioned regarding the price of the replacement part options.

IS-SV

I had a similar comprehensive claim (considered act of God, in CSAA adjusters words). A 18 wheelers mud flap was kicked up and hit my Honda Prelude ripping off side mirror, scratching side glass and scratching upper front fender. They actually looked carefully to speculate that I was hit by flying object, since all damage was above beltline. Therefore no ding (premium increase).on my record, not because of my clean record, but because it was a comp claim and was not my fault.

Gville350

iTrader: (10)

^I had a very similar incident happen, but in my case the trailer's tire blew out right in front of me and me and two others drivers hit the tire carcass. I had the insight to drive up along side and phone up the dispatcher for the trucking company off of truck's driver door and gave them the trucker's cab #. The dispatcher had the trucker pull over. The other two cars involved called the cops and they showed and luckily took our side/our story. The missing tire was quite a clue AND the tire marks against my silver paint. The cop had the trucking company assume damages for everyone that day; it was "an act of God" type claim too.

Slammer1

Good for you! No tractor trailer with a blown tire in sight when my incident happened. Pissed me off but I was relieved to only get out for the $500 deductible. And thank God I was in the Honda because the repairs to the IS would have been astronomical.......

andper10

Give TLS Auto Recycling a call. If the newest steering rack part number is the same for IS250s and IS350s, they have a few 2012 IS250 parts cars with no front end damage that probably have pretty low mileage. Or there are some older IS350s if you are comfortable with that (considering the potential TSB Jeff mentioned). TLS has had good prices on used parts when I have checked in the past. Just get a quote/invoice the first time you call so the price is locked in.

https://www.tlsautorecycling.com/part_cars.html#is250