Dealer Recommended Maintenance

[ElPolloBlanco]

So I took my GX in for an oil change and inspection today at Toyota. They’ve recommended several maintenance items. But their labor is insane. I’m sure I can do a lot of this myself.

Front Struts (said they were leaking) $1065
Timing Belt (it’s never been changed and I’m at 145K I would do the water pump too) $779
RDB with timing belt (I don’t know what this is) $127
BG P/S Fluid Exchange (???) $129.95
BG Brake Fluid Exchange (I guess i could do that) $119
C/V Joint Boot $491
Axle Shaft Remove and Replace Driver Side $950
Stabilizer Bar Link R&R $543
Alignment $100

Parts $786
Labor $3515
Total $4302


I work my my 80 a lot. I’ve done the front end. There’s what I would describe as a wobble sound coming from the rear that I’m sure is associated with the bearing going out. I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty. I have the factory manual for my 80 though and not this. Should I save the money and do most of this myself? I’ve heard the timing belt can be a pain. I’ll be selling the car towards the end of the year to my Mother-in-Law for 6k which is good for her, and me, cause I need a truck. I have or have access to most the tools to do all these jobs so I’m not worried about that either. So, where to save and where to spend?

 

[GXO]

Most of that is easy. Very. The timing belt is the most involved. You can do it yourself. Check out the videos on GXOR as well as the lexusgxor.com for manuals and such. It is just new to you, not hard. The price for the timing belt is actually a really good price from the dealer. The rest is meh. I don't know what RDB is either and I have been all through these trucks lol.

You can get Toyota/Lexus parts (Aisin) off of Amazon for cheaper for the timing belt and water pump. If you reboot the CV, get high angle CV boots from CVJ (inner) and Treat Oak (outer). CVJ also sells less expensive OEM reman CVs that you can get preinstalled with high angle boots. They are just a simplified birfield. Easy work. Make sure you get diff seals and possibly spindle seals and such if you do the CVs yourself. I had an 80 and many land cruisers and this stuff is simple in comparison. You will see a lot of design from the 80 in the GX. The IFS front is a distant cousin to the land cruiser.

Rear wheel bearings suck. They have to be pressed /offonto the axle shaft. One of the harder things to do. Front wheel bearings are super simple. You just buy preassembled and swap the whole hub. Presto!

 

[HomersCanyonero]

In 2017, i went to Lexus for $40 Auto Club special oil/filter change and 40-point inspection and Lexus recommended like $4k in repairs. So, this is standard procedure at dealers.

Figure out what should be done first.

Since you have a 2007, I would venture to guess that the timing belt and water pump are your first priority. Check the radiator for pink crust and leaks. Buy online the Aisin timing belt kit.

Front struts. I assume these are the front shocks. If not leaking bad and still perform okay, then lower priority to replace later. Great opportunity to refresh front suspension shocks and coils for less than dealer is quoting just for shocks.

You got great advice from Dan. He’s an awesome resource and expert. He’s like a gx470 doctor.

 

[GXO]

In 2017, i went to Lexus for $40 Auto Club special oil/filter change and 40-point inspection and Lexus recommended like $4k in repairs. So, this is standard procedure at dealers.

Figure out what should be done first.

Since you have a 2007, I would venture to guess that the timing belt and water pump are your first priority. Check the radiator for pink crust and leaks. Buy online the Aisin timing belt kit.

Front struts. I assume these are the front shocks. If not leaking bad and still perform okay, then lower priority to replace later. Great opportunity to refresh front suspension shocks and coils for less than dealer is quoting just for shocks.

You got great advice from Dan. He’s an awesome resource and expert. He’s like a gx470 doctor.

They call me the gxoverlord on facebook

 

[ElPolloBlanco]

Thanks guys. I can do this in steps. One project per weekend between all my cars. I’ve known I’ve needed to change out the timing belt for some time now. Think I’ll do that and most of the oh by the way stuff while I’m there. I don’t want to dump a lot of money into it right before I sell it to my mother-in-law, but I want it to be solid since she hauls all the grand kids around. I have noticed since picking it up the steering wobbles above about 60. It didn’t do that before. Tell me more about these rear wheel bearings. That’s a strong number two on the list because I’m sure that’s the source of my “womp, womp, womp” in the rear. I have a buddy at a machine shop that can press pretty much anything for me.

 

[ElPolloBlanco]

So I’ve decided the I’m going to get started on this ASAP. I have a road trip to Vegas coming up and need to get this done soon. My order of work will be the front CV Joints and Stab Bar Links, drivers side for now. Drivers side Rear axle/wheel bearings. I plan to just reuse the axle shaft and get the bearings pressed at the shop. I have some wheel studs I need to replace on both sides so I might just break both sides down and get it all pressed at once.


After the axle stuff is done I’ll move onto the timing belt and stuff. That one seems the most involved.


What should my shopping list look like. I figure I’ll get the CVJ reman Unit, seals just in case. I have no idea what I’ll need for the rear. And the stab bar links are easy. I plan to go OEM on those unless anyone can offer a better suggestion. This vehicle isn’t getting lifted or anything, my mother in law is only about 5 feet tall and has bad knees so yeah.


Advice of materials would be appreciated.