Problems: How Serious and Should I Sell?
09-20-18, 05:20 AM
#1
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Problems: How Serious and Should I Sell?
My 2004 RX 330 (FWD) has about 133,000 miles. I'm the original owner (2003), and have tried to keep it mechanically in good shape. I did the 100,000 mile tune up and had it checked 3 times a year...
My power steering is "going." My repair guy says the high side hose has a really bad leak and needs to be replaced. Lexus part is about $600 but after market is under $300. With labor: about $500 (labor estimated at 2 to 2 1/2 hours). P/S pressure hose line assembly is the part...
They found two other things which they said are not a safety issue but will become one:
The lower control arm bushings are worn and falling apart. Replace lower control arms (both) with bushings. $1,040.
The inner CV boots are torn open and most of the grease is gone. Recommend to replace both CV axles. $502.
So looking at $2,000.
Is this legit?
If so -- it seems time to sell "old Paint" since the car is 15 years old and mine is not in good shape body wise. I have a torn passenger seat, a driver's arm rest with the foam coming through, bad dents on both passenger doors (lived through a hurricane last year and just didn't get it fixed) as well as little dings elsewhere. The car is probably worth $2000 to 4000...
Am I right? Or is the repair shop scamming me? I know the power steering is legit, but my original repair guy (who doesn't do power steering) didn't mention the other two problems at all.... thanks.
My power steering is "going." My repair guy says the high side hose has a really bad leak and needs to be replaced. Lexus part is about $600 but after market is under $300. With labor: about $500 (labor estimated at 2 to 2 1/2 hours). P/S pressure hose line assembly is the part...
They found two other things which they said are not a safety issue but will become one:
The lower control arm bushings are worn and falling apart. Replace lower control arms (both) with bushings. $1,040.
The inner CV boots are torn open and most of the grease is gone. Recommend to replace both CV axles. $502.
So looking at $2,000.
Is this legit?
If so -- it seems time to sell "old Paint" since the car is 15 years old and mine is not in good shape body wise. I have a torn passenger seat, a driver's arm rest with the foam coming through, bad dents on both passenger doors (lived through a hurricane last year and just didn't get it fixed) as well as little dings elsewhere. The car is probably worth $2000 to 4000...
Am I right? Or is the repair shop scamming me? I know the power steering is legit, but my original repair guy (who doesn't do power steering) didn't mention the other two problems at all.... thanks.
09-20-18, 08:03 AM
#2
Intermediate
If you plan on keeping the car replace both high and return lines. The part number for the Pressure hose is 44410-48121, search eBay OEM is just over $200. Use only Lexus/Toyota OEM parts.
Do you hear noise coming from the suspension going over bumps? If the answer is yes then lower control arm bushing could need replacing. Find an independent repair shop that will allow you to supply your own parts and buy Lexus/Toyota OEM from eBay. You should be able to find both LH, RH side for under $300. The hard part is that the engine mount will have to be removed in order to get to the two front bolts.
If you are asking the question "Is this legit?" Then you need to get a second opinion.
Although the video is for a Highlander the procedure is the same for a Lexus RX.
Do you hear noise coming from the suspension going over bumps? If the answer is yes then lower control arm bushing could need replacing. Find an independent repair shop that will allow you to supply your own parts and buy Lexus/Toyota OEM from eBay. You should be able to find both LH, RH side for under $300. The hard part is that the engine mount will have to be removed in order to get to the two front bolts.
If you are asking the question "Is this legit?" Then you need to get a second opinion.
Although the video is for a Highlander the procedure is the same for a Lexus RX.
Last edited by Audiqv8; 09-20-18 at 08:20 AM.
09-20-18, 10:17 AM
#3
It's legit if you let THEM do it.
Parts will be fraction of that. The hardest one is to replace the long axleshaft. The rest is pretty much piecf of cake for a half way decent mechanic. Call any parts store, ask them to recommend a mobile mech that will come to you. Should be like half the price really.
Parts will be fraction of that. The hardest one is to replace the long axleshaft. The rest is pretty much piecf of cake for a half way decent mechanic. Call any parts store, ask them to recommend a mobile mech that will come to you. Should be like half the price really.
09-20-18, 03:54 PM
#4
I was in a similar boat, but I recently got my RX and am now starting to deal with the problems due to age.
My power steering is "going." My repair guy says the high side hose has a really bad leak and needs to be replaced. Lexus part is about $600 but after market is under $300. With labor: about $500 (labor estimated at 2 to 2 1/2 hours). P/S pressure hose line assembly is the part...
Get a second opinion on this. I just replaced my whole steering rack this last week. I was chasing a ghost thinking it was the pressure lines, wasted $200 in OEM lines and my own time changing them for no reason. But I was losing a lot of fluid every day even after the line changes. Passenger side rack was leaking and low and behold, searching on here turns out to be a very very common issue. Should of saw it coming as I did it on my old Highlander which was the predecessor to my RX. I decided to go rebuilt by Detroit Axle with new tie rods which I used for my HL, no complaints so far. I'm in the hole ~$600 installed.
They found two other things which they said are not a safety issue but will become one:
The lower control arm bushings are worn and falling apart. Replace lower control arms (both) with bushings. $1,040.
The inner CV boots are torn open and most of the grease is gone. Recommend to replace both CV axles. $502.
Prices are fair but I assume non-OEM parts. The Axles need to be OEM, too much inferior stuff out there. Bushings you can get away with aftermarket if you want to keep the control arms and find a place to push them out and install the new ones.
Get a second opinion on this. I just replaced my whole steering rack this last week. I was chasing a ghost thinking it was the pressure lines, wasted $200 in OEM lines and my own time changing them for no reason. But I was losing a lot of fluid every day even after the line changes. Passenger side rack was leaking and low and behold, searching on here turns out to be a very very common issue. Should of saw it coming as I did it on my old Highlander which was the predecessor to my RX. I decided to go rebuilt by Detroit Axle with new tie rods which I used for my HL, no complaints so far. I'm in the hole ~$600 installed.
They found two other things which they said are not a safety issue but will become one:
The lower control arm bushings are worn and falling apart. Replace lower control arms (both) with bushings. $1,040.
The inner CV boots are torn open and most of the grease is gone. Recommend to replace both CV axles. $502.
Prices are fair but I assume non-OEM parts. The Axles need to be OEM, too much inferior stuff out there. Bushings you can get away with aftermarket if you want to keep the control arms and find a place to push them out and install the new ones.
09-20-18, 04:52 PM
#5
Personally I would't put $2K in a $4-6K car.
I has a almost similar experience a couple of weeks ago where the dealer tolld me I need a new transfer case on my wife 08 RX350 AWD 125K miles and the estimate was above $6K. Told me wife she is gettting a new car soon.
Anyway, went to 2 others transmission shops for a second opinion and they both said the ball bearing are the issue, not the transfer case. Getting both bearing replaced this weeks and most likely will cost ~$500 total, much easier to swallow.
I has a almost similar experience a couple of weeks ago where the dealer tolld me I need a new transfer case on my wife 08 RX350 AWD 125K miles and the estimate was above $6K. Told me wife she is gettting a new car soon.
Anyway, went to 2 others transmission shops for a second opinion and they both said the ball bearing are the issue, not the transfer case. Getting both bearing replaced this weeks and most likely will cost ~$500 total, much easier to swallow.
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