Eccentric Bolt
Eccentric Bolt
Do you guy's think that $60 for an eccentric bolt plus $520 in labor to replace it is bogus? Lexus of Annapolis said in order for them to do my alignment, they have to replace that bolt because they can't turn it and it is frozen. To get to it, they said they have to take apart most of my suspension.
Please Help!
Please Help!
Sounds suspicious to me but I am not a lexus tech either. A bolt is a bolt as far as I am concerened. I am sure it is not the first time their mechanics has seen this bolt seized in such a way before. I would recommend you take your car to another dealer to get a second opinion.
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
From: TX
I don't know about this one. I work for Lexus and have not found that service sells unnecessary work. I say this becuase you are survey'd on everything you do with your car and Lexus does not want there standings with JD powers to go down. Just my 2 cents.
An eccentric bolt is not your average bolt. The actual shaft is not in-line with the head making it eccentric and adjustable on the car. I do not know about labor, but the price will be higher for that type of bolt.
$520 in labor? Labor is about $90/hr, so it's about 5-6 hours total?
That's nonsense. I was able to take all 4 eccentric bolts on my car in 15 minutes total (once I got the car jacked up). I used my electric impact gun to take them all off without having to take anything else out. If you need to get yours placed, buy the bolt and bring it to a local shop, have them install it, and then get your alignment done at the dealer. It doesn't take a genius to install new bolts.
That's nonsense. I was able to take all 4 eccentric bolts on my car in 15 minutes total (once I got the car jacked up). I used my electric impact gun to take them all off without having to take anything else out. If you need to get yours placed, buy the bolt and bring it to a local shop, have them install it, and then get your alignment done at the dealer. It doesn't take a genius to install new bolts.
Lead Lap
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 522
Likes: 7
From: sc
$520 in labor? Labor is about $90/hr, so it's about 5-6 hours total?
That's nonsense. I was able to take all 4 eccentric bolts on my car in 15 minutes total (once I got the car jacked up). I used my electric impact gun to take them all off without having to take anything else out. If you need to get yours placed, buy the bolt and bring it to a local shop, have them install it, and then get your alignment done at the dealer. It doesn't take a genius to install new bolts.
That's nonsense. I was able to take all 4 eccentric bolts on my car in 15 minutes total (once I got the car jacked up). I used my electric impact gun to take them all off without having to take anything else out. If you need to get yours placed, buy the bolt and bring it to a local shop, have them install it, and then get your alignment done at the dealer. It doesn't take a genius to install new bolts.
GSteg.. you are the man. Nicely put.
BP
so I had a two local shops try to do my alignment a while ago...and they both couldn't do it b/c the front eccentric shaft is frozen. They have professional air tools and they even went as far as using a torch...still no luck.
Anyone know any way of tackling this? And which bolt is the eccentric shaft in the front???
Anyone know any way of tackling this? And which bolt is the eccentric shaft in the front???
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take it to someone else and let them install the bolt. we even have specialty places in town that work on modified alignments....if u ever in memphis go see doug at zellners. he's the best guy on working on lowered and aftermarket suspensions + he knows most oem stuff and they still use a mechanic and pit. they manually do their alignments as i dont trust the "Accuracy" of all those machines sometimes. he does great work....but looks a little odd 
Last edited by sakataj; Nov 4, 2008 at 09:44 AM.
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Joined: Dec 2002
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From: CA
$520 in labor? Labor is about $90/hr, so it's about 5-6 hours total?
That's nonsense. I was able to take all 4 eccentric bolts on my car in 15 minutes total (once I got the car jacked up). I used my electric impact gun to take them all off without having to take anything else out. If you need to get yours placed, buy the bolt and bring it to a local shop, have them install it, and then get your alignment done at the dealer. It doesn't take a genius to install new bolts.
That's nonsense. I was able to take all 4 eccentric bolts on my car in 15 minutes total (once I got the car jacked up). I used my electric impact gun to take them all off without having to take anything else out. If you need to get yours placed, buy the bolt and bring it to a local shop, have them install it, and then get your alignment done at the dealer. It doesn't take a genius to install new bolts.
I think you misread the post. I don't doubt if things are working properly it'll take 15min. But the post said the bolt wasn't working right and was "frozen". Or maybe they broke off the bolt head or something or otherwise got it bent in there..
In the original post the excuse was they had to take apart most of the suspension to get it out. If it's already now unstuck, impossible to get a 2nd opinion. Sure it's possible some other shop would have some secret fast way to unstick it, but on the other hand they may have taken more hours too.
Also, depending where you are, Lexus hours are more like $150/hr +, so this might just be ~3 hours of labor, not 6. In SF Bay Area, even independents charge $100/hr.
Last edited by raytseng; Nov 4, 2008 at 10:51 AM.
I just got my alignment done today, or rather tried to get my alignment done. The shop got everything in spec except the right front camber. Apparently they could not loosen the eccentric bolt. They said they tried torches and still could not free it up. They charged me an extra $20 for the effort. The alignment shop is highly recommended around town so I am inclined to think it's really is frozen.
I am going to leave the car in my garage and soak the eccentric regularly for the next few days and see if it comes loose.
I am going to leave the car in my garage and soak the eccentric regularly for the next few days and see if it comes loose.
According to the Toyota shop manual the bolt is located at the end of the lower control arm closer to the centre line of the car. I'll see if I can take a picture.
I usually spray frozen bolts with whatever I happen to have in the garage. Usually I use a product called "Release All" but I have also used PB blaster, WD40, Penetrating Oil, etc. Sometimes I just spary a combination of everything.
I usually spray frozen bolts with whatever I happen to have in the garage. Usually I use a product called "Release All" but I have also used PB blaster, WD40, Penetrating Oil, etc. Sometimes I just spary a combination of everything.