Charges for repairs. Am I being ripped off?
#1
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Charges for repairs. Am I being ripped off?
Hello everyone,
I took my 2004 lexus rx330 for a shop to diagnose a rattling noise over speed bumps and tight turns. They came back with a list of repairs that needed to be done. Am I being ripped off or are the prices reasonable?
Repairs:
Front Struts - $750
Front Axles - $720
Steering Rack with alignment - $1160
Please help. Thank you.
I took my 2004 lexus rx330 for a shop to diagnose a rattling noise over speed bumps and tight turns. They came back with a list of repairs that needed to be done. Am I being ripped off or are the prices reasonable?
Repairs:
Front Struts - $750
Front Axles - $720
Steering Rack with alignment - $1160
Please help. Thank you.
#2
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Hello everyone,
I took my 2004 lexus rx330 for a shop to diagnose a rattling noise over speed bumps and tight turns. They came back with a list of repairs that needed to be done. Am I being ripped off or are the prices reasonable?
Repairs:
Front Struts - $750
Front Axles - $720
Steering Rack with alignment - $1160
Please help. Thank you.
I took my 2004 lexus rx330 for a shop to diagnose a rattling noise over speed bumps and tight turns. They came back with a list of repairs that needed to be done. Am I being ripped off or are the prices reasonable?
Repairs:
Front Struts - $750
Front Axles - $720
Steering Rack with alignment - $1160
Please help. Thank you.
If you are concerned, perhaps you should get a second opinion.
#3
If a Lexus Dealer, I assume they are using OEM parts.
Front Struts are fairly labor intensive (from my reading), so that seems reasonable. Just Amazon pricing for a Monroe strut ($110 each), plus you need mounting hardware/bushing on top of that (maybe another $50/each). Then compress spring, pull old out and install new one. So I'd guess you are in the ball park.
Front Axles. If these are OEM Toyota, I'd say very decent. I think these OEM axles run $300-$350 each (part only), so that seems good.
Front Struts are fairly labor intensive (from my reading), so that seems reasonable. Just Amazon pricing for a Monroe strut ($110 each), plus you need mounting hardware/bushing on top of that (maybe another $50/each). Then compress spring, pull old out and install new one. So I'd guess you are in the ball park.
Front Axles. If these are OEM Toyota, I'd say very decent. I think these OEM axles run $300-$350 each (part only), so that seems good.
#6
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For your quotes, there are cheaper routes, but if those are the price with OEM replacements from the dealer, the prices aren't terrible. That being said, you could probably cut the price of the axles and struts in half going with good quality aftermarket replacements. If the rattleling noise is your main concern though, I would start with the sway bar endlink as it's the cheapest and easier part to replace. As for the steering rack, that price is actually a few hundred lower than I've traditionally seen.
#7
I highly recommend going OEM for replacement parts.
I would take it to a couple of mechanics to have them check out the car so that you know what exactly needs to be replaced. Have them show you in person the damaged pieces.
I would take it to a couple of mechanics to have them check out the car so that you know what exactly needs to be replaced. Have them show you in person the damaged pieces.
Last edited by theory816; 10-18-16 at 09:28 PM.
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#8
I like what theory816 originally said.....get a second opinion. For a rattling sound, I wouldn't think the axle shafts are contributing to this. Shocks and shock mounts, yea, could be a possibility. I'd also check out bushing on lower control arms.
I had a clunky sound when I hit BIG bumps, more like metal to metal feeling. I just replaced my lower control arms (mainly the bushings were bad) and that fixed that issue.
I don't know about steering rack and how that might contribute....haven't done that yet.
Is their observation/recommendation based off of your noise, or are they also just suggesting these additional items because of their evaluation?
I had a clunky sound when I hit BIG bumps, more like metal to metal feeling. I just replaced my lower control arms (mainly the bushings were bad) and that fixed that issue.
I don't know about steering rack and how that might contribute....haven't done that yet.
Is their observation/recommendation based off of your noise, or are they also just suggesting these additional items because of their evaluation?
#9
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So I was able to order all my parts through RockAuto.com for a total of $752 with a $150 discount if I return the old steering rack and pinion. I was able to find a shop on Yelp with great reviews to install all my parts for a total labor of $1100, Car runs great again with no more rattle so I believe the struts were the problem.
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Anytime aftermarket parts are used, you will sacrifice a little of performance and handling. I am happy with what I replaced so far.
The only difference I have noticed is that replacing the struts have caused my rattle to go away. I couldn't tell a difference after steering rack and axles replaced.
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