I have a 2007 RX400h that has been leaking grease for a while. I called an independent mechanic that wants $500 to replace the axle. He said it requires 3.5hrs of labor does that sound right? Doesn't seem like it would save much if anything to do just a boot kit.

 

Book time is $514 so looks like that is what your mechanic is quoting. Replacing the boot on the original axle is greatly preferred since the OE axle is high quality.

 

Oh ok thanks, I thought the common assumption was that it's better to replace the whole thing. The Lexus dealership wants about 400 to do the boot kit. Should I do the latter instead of axle swap?

 

Always best to keep the oem if they still work great since the new oem replacements were $800+ each side when I called for price a couple years ago.

I had high mileage and mine were at the end of life so I replaced them with after-market but my originals lasted 145k miles of city stop and go driving.
Can expect maybe 1/2 that for a good after-market if you are lucky but they are pretty cheap if doing DIY to replace at under $100 ea.

The book time is very generous to the shop on this job if they are asking 3 1/2 hrs for a cv axle.

 

I mean. My car is a 2007. It has nearly 170k miles. I'm feeling confused now.

 

It's a tough decision but in my case I bought the car with a torn boots and who knows how many years it was like that with no grease in it before I got it and I drove it another year beyond that so really it was no turning back for me.

If the boots had broke on my watch I would've promptly re-booted it to save the oem axles if I thought they were worth saving.
Also, my city driving at 145k miles might be comparable to 250k miles for someone in the country or doing highway miles.

 

I noticed the issue when rotating tires and there was a thick buildup of grease on the wheel rim, it could've been an old issue that I never noticed. I'd hate to pay for the seal kit install and get a call saying the axle is too far gone to be worth it. Is there anywhere that sells a rebuilt oem axle for under $300? If so that seems like a good compromise.

 

You can get axles from your local parts store for around $100 to $150. You can get brand new ones that are not (of course) made by Toyota/Lexus. You can also get remanufactured ones for about the same price, but you won't be able to find out who made the axle originally.

Even if the remanufactured axle was originally made by Toyota, the parts that get replaced are the actual cv joint. The cv joint is the critical part. In a remanufactured axle. The remanufacturing company is not going to use high priced Toyota parts, you will be getting cheap China garbage regardless of who built the axle originally.

 

I feel like I need a new axle at this point. I don't imagine spending 800 on a oem one but is there any recommendation on a "better" after market brand besides just whatever they get at Oreillys or wherever?

 

I use the A-1 Cardone new ones. Stay away from the Oreilly's I have read other posts that they cause vibrations. I have had great success with the A-1 Cardones on my BMW's.

 

Hi, I have 2007 RX350 and it keeps rolling. I replaced both shafts around 150k miles. The CVT shafts started leaking and I did not pay much attention since the local Lexus dealer wasn't showing much of concern. After couple of thousand miles after the leak being detected, the car started to shake when in acceleration. The local dealership recommended to replace both shafts. The estimated cost? $700 per side. I found a local garage to change the shafts with after market parts and now it is riding very smooth. The total cost for non OE parts and labor was less than $400. I just replaced all four shocks with non OE and I do not feel it has restored the original ride comfort. But it was $2800 OE and dealership labor vs $1100 for after market and local garage. Food for thought.