I took my car in for an alignment and i was told I needed to replace the tie rods as they were worn out I have a wobble in the steering. on the 2011 rx450h is it true the engine has to be pulled to replace them and what should such a job cost and how long does it generally take?

 

I do not have an RX450 hybrid, but I have never needed to remove an engine to replace inner or outer tie rod ends on any other car. I would try another repair shop. Price will vary per service center as well as shop hour time for labor. I would get a phone quote from a Lexus dealer and then find good local import shop that is cheaper.

This is how to remove them on most cars and trucks.

 

I agree with carguy75. You need to get at least 2 more estimates from local independent well regarded repair shops. Use Google and Yelp and friends to find other shops. You may even find a Toyota specialist.
What type of shop told you this story? How many miles on the RX?
They should not have to pull the engine for this job. They are taking advantage of you big time. They probably would not actually pull the engine but then charge you for it!

 

if they are referring to the inner tie-rods, that could be a possibility, I have no idea. Outer tie-rods, I doubt engine needs pulled. But even the inners seem like they could be accessed, after all, they have to make it all they way to the wheel.

 

See this thread from earlier this year: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...r-tie-rod.html

See this thread from the mechanically very similar 2nd gen Toyota Highlander forum on replacing the inner tie rods: https://www.toyotanation.com/threads...#post-14652200