Advice Needed: Birfield repack and more

[Steelbender77]

Hey ONSC! Sorry I haven't made it out to a meetup, the times have just been no good so far. Hoping to get to the next Charlotte meetup though!

I've got a few service items for my '96 LX450 (135k) on my list coming up, and was hoping for a little advice/guidance. Feel free to correct anything I've written here, I'm a 1/2

1) I know I need new belts, the ones on there now are the originals. The Mark@Toyota Tech in Fort Mill said it would be $175 to install the 3 belts. Is this a fair price for the service?

2) I've got a low roaring noise coming from what sounds like the front right tire area that occurs when decelerating at high speeds, which forum searching has lead me to believe is a dry spindle bushing. I've never had the Birfields repacked, so is now a good time to knock these things out? As I understand it they recommend doing both jobs at the same time. Mark@Toyota Tech said this would be about $600. I forgot to ask if this was for the front and rear.

Is this job worth almost 8-900 clams? Toyota Tech came recommended by a member, so I was wondering what you guys thought.

Thanks for the help!

[jfz80]

Nolan,

I cant say much on the prices compared to other techs but i can offer;

1) toyota belts (non cogged, gotta have the v-groove) will make a difference. I bet the three wouldnt run you 75 bux and you could put them on in under an hour if you want to save a hundred bux

2) his price is for the fronts only and seems somewhat appropriate for a shop doing the work for you. No birfs out back, just wheel bearings. I know dealers charge b/w 1100 and 1600 for a front end rebuild, which consists of repacking the birfs and adding new bearings, seals, etc while your in there. You can do this entire service yourself for about 400 bucks and a whole day of wrenching. It may be intimidating, but not overly complicated.

If i were you at 135k miles, id go ahead and rebuild the front end instead of just repacking new grease in the birfs. And even if you had him do it for you, have him go just one step further and put NEW parts in that YOU order at a MUD discount. disount vendors include fred anderson toyota, ralph hayes toyota, Cdan at american toyota.

and beware you may want to dissasemble and inspect that spindle to make sure it hasnt been damaged or youll need one of those too.

[lt1fire]

Nolan. I'd tell you to rebuild it and put the parts on yourself. Request a hamon day and a bunch of us will show up and help you. We have more than enough people in this area to lend a hand.

[southerncruiser62]

What they said above, after having just installed OBA I can say that replacing the belts takes a little less than thirty minutes if you removed the battery box.

I was in a bind a few years back and had the front end service done at Fred Anderson on my 1994 and they had me out the door for a little over $700, none the less if you have the time I would let everyone help you and gain knowledge and experience from it. We're all here to help one another so don't hesitate to ask.

[krzyabncanuck]

As everyone else said. If you can do it yourself / HAMON and save some money.

Both are pretty easy.