As I'm sorting out my new (to me) 2000 LX470, I was pretty confident I needed front brakes due to the vibration when stopping. Hopefully. it's not front end suspension issues. The driver's side CV boot is torn and I have the axel assembly on the way from Bell Lexus. I received the struts for the hood and rear hatch today. New rear wiper arm is on the way from Bell as well. I ordered a low beam conversion kit from H.i.D. Kit Pros to make the headlight do their job and light up the road. I have a buddy of mine who is a wizard with a welder sourcing some DOM steel to make some sliders. I'm feeling pretty good about getting through my punch list, until today.
After work today, I dropped my LX off at my local shop to check out the front brakes. I use the shop for basic maintenance with most of my family's vehicles and always thought they were honest and dependable. They called to tell me the whole front brake assembly was shot and the bearings needed to be repacked, the rear brakes were shot as well, the brake fluid needed to be flushed and replaced and the OME rear shocks were leaking and needed to be replaced. I asked what parts they use for everything and he told me the shocks would be Monroe, the brakes were a generic set up that were "high quality" and the all the work would run $2900. He said it would take all week and that the LX was on the lift with the wheels off and his tech had already gone home. I politely told him to not do any of the work and I would come by in the morning to pick the LX up.
Am I being unreasonable? To his credit, he took it well and seemed understanding of my concern about the price. He said the brake work would run about $2300 and the shocks another $600.
Knowing that the work needed to be done, I went through the stack of receipts from the previous owner and called the shop he used. Same work with better parts to include using the same rear OME shocks plus if I brought the new axle, he'd put that in for $100 as the front end would be torn apart already for a grand total of $2400. Seems way more reasonable.
Anyways, felt like I had to vent, thanks for listening. I can't help but feeling like I'm chasing my tail trying to get a handle on everything this 26 year old LX needs.
After work today, I dropped my LX off at my local shop to check out the front brakes. I use the shop for basic maintenance with most of my family's vehicles and always thought they were honest and dependable. They called to tell me the whole front brake assembly was shot and the bearings needed to be repacked, the rear brakes were shot as well, the brake fluid needed to be flushed and replaced and the OME rear shocks were leaking and needed to be replaced. I asked what parts they use for everything and he told me the shocks would be Monroe, the brakes were a generic set up that were "high quality" and the all the work would run $2900. He said it would take all week and that the LX was on the lift with the wheels off and his tech had already gone home. I politely told him to not do any of the work and I would come by in the morning to pick the LX up.
Am I being unreasonable? To his credit, he took it well and seemed understanding of my concern about the price. He said the brake work would run about $2300 and the shocks another $600.
Knowing that the work needed to be done, I went through the stack of receipts from the previous owner and called the shop he used. Same work with better parts to include using the same rear OME shocks plus if I brought the new axle, he'd put that in for $100 as the front end would be torn apart already for a grand total of $2400. Seems way more reasonable.
Anyways, felt like I had to vent, thanks for listening. I can't help but feeling like I'm chasing my tail trying to get a handle on everything this 26 year old LX needs.
