So, 99 4runner.
It's almost winter so I wanted to get some stuff taken care of:
leaking water pump and rear axle seals being the main things + alignment
Just got called from the service manager: steering rack's bad, valve covers are leaking. That's great. How much is the rack $1100! What?!?!

Since when do racks go bad at 125k?

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-T...Q5fAccessories


$308 with free S&H

 

Sounds kind of steep. I've seen posts of ppl paying around 500-700 for a timing belt and waterpump change, Axle seals usually run about 700, alignment another 100. Id say its ridiculous. The valve cover seals are fairly easy to do and shouldn't be that much to have done I'd say it's atleast 1500 over priced. The rack I can't comment on really because I haven't seen many go bad. I'd get a few quotes from a few other places. You are paying dealer prices after all.

 

157$ from toyota for a waterpump (CAN)
60$ Timing Belt (CAN)

Labor from a certified toyo mechanic is about 350-400$ (CAN) for the above.

My mechanic did my rear-diff seals for 200$ parts + labor

So shop around....thats a little over-priced.

 

I know it's overpriced... just pisses me off.
I had them put the 4runner up on the rack to show me the ps rack... it's oozing in the right spots.
They promise me the new rack will last over 125k lol whatever.

It's down to 2900 now, just can't believe the rack went on me too.

I'm almost gentle to this one!

 

Well.....look at it this way, after you do ALL of that....it will run for a very long time...lol I've done all of the above so I don't plan and any major work anytime soon.

 

Is it at the dealership? If so remember that is going to be the place with the highest parts and labor prices.

 

And the highest quality

 

yeah thats true

 

I'd source the OEM parts from a dealership like trdparts4u.com. Then get a trusted mechanic to put it all in.

I believe Autozone has reman. racks for ~$500. They are all warranteed for life. That's the way I'd go. The problem with getting racks from ebay or online is that you can't take them back. Even if you could, they make you pay for shipping, which of course takes longer, which means longer downtime for your rig. Oh, and when you put it in, put in some poly urethane bushings with it (available at Wheeler's Off-Road).

 

my rack was 400. plus labor. he replaced a few other things in the front and and my bill was 900 total. that was with an alignment and everything too.

 

My buddy paid $4000 for his ex-wife's new rack.......oh wait, that's not the same thing!

 

Is the steering rack leaking? Or are they just saying it's bad because the bushings are worn?

 

LoL!!! That's great!

 

That's what they would like you to believe. I've been screwed by dealerships. They often bill you for things not done & replace parts unnecessarily. Parts are often billed at 10-20% over list price. The way most dealership mechanics are paid invites abuse & encourages dishonesty.

 

""That's what they would like you to believe. I've been screwed by dealerships. They often bill you for things not done & replace parts unnecessarily. Parts are often billed at 10-20% over list price. The way most dealership mechanics are paid invites abuse & encourages dishonesty.""
That's for damn sure !

 

It's deff leaking. I've been so busy this summer; i neglected the damned thing. bushings wouldn't fix this leak :o

also, 4k would pay for one quality boob lol.

 

agreed, i shopped around for stealership pricing. i'm in ohio now and we really don't have any mechanics i would trust for general toyo stuff. really.
They matched toyota worlds price for the rack, 653.

 

gimmi 4500 and u can have my runner without probs! lol. they they rippin u off.
take it to an independant mechanic. it's a toyota. most mechanics can work on it.

 

Holy crap! That is most of a Solid Axle Conversion!