Opinion on Repairs vs Cut Losses

[Arailt]

Hey everyone,

I need some advice. I took my 2008 GX in to my local Lexus dealer in Plano, TX. It's been giving me P0171 and P2195 codes for a few months now (02 sensors, lean codes). I keep clearing them, they stay away for a couple weeks, and then pop again. Recently, the engine started running really rough along with the codes. In addition to that, during my drive from PA to TX in January, the steering started to wander and my brakes started pulling hard right when applied. I figured it was seized calipers and nothing more.

The dealer confirmed 2 seized calipers. 1600 for the front. They recommended the rear as well for 800. What I wasn't expecting is apparently ALL of my front control arms (4) are "rotted" (their words) and need replaced. They claim that is what's causing the wandering. I do have a salt belt GX and there's a good bit of surface rust that is not common in Dallas, but I can't believe they'd be rotted through without causing me some really noticeable problems, far beyond a little bit of wandering. In addition, they claim that my master cylinder is not pumping (my brakes were fine when I pulled in). To top it off, they claim there is no O2/Lean codes and they can't address the engine.

Total cost is a hair shy of $10k. I'm going to get another opinion before I do anything, but the question is - What would you do? Keeping in mind that I do have a lot of surface rust, do I fix, or cut my losses and try to trade it in?

Thanks!

 

[D21FJ60]

If the 120 is anything like the 100, usually the lights come on for the master cylinder.
Get a second opinion, maybe without divulging everything that lexus has told you.
Lack of codes is frustrating, and may need further troubleshooting, they are probabl;y trying to make a quick buck.
You alone can determine what is best for you- if you dont want to do the repairs yourself and cant stand paying someone, offload it as this market is good for that. Just expect to pay om full for a replacement.

 

[onemanarmy]

You just cleared the codes and didn't fix the issue? O2 sensors and failing plugs/coils are common on ANY car with age/mileage.

'Seized' calipers? How much is a 2008 GX caliper and pads? Have you ever changed the brake pads? How long have you owned it? Other service you've done?

SO MANY questions

 

[aztoytec]

Definitely get a second opinion. Also make sure the check engine light is on. They can look at the data and it will help them diagnose it correctly.
Look for a reputable Aftermarket Toyota/Lexus shop in your area. Sometimes dealers will over exaggerate especially on higher end vehicles.

 

[binaryaudax]

Definitely get a second opinion from an independent shop. Those costs are so exaggerated.

If you're mechanically inclined at all, changing pads, rotors and calipers is an easy afternoon job and could be done for much much less than $2400.

 

[binaryaudax]

'Seized' calipers?

It's a common problem on the 2003-2009 GX. The pistons in the front calipers can get stuck. It's easy to upgrade to the 10+ GX460 calipers and rotors which do not exhibit the same issue as often.

 

[Sixto Lezcano]

Brake job is easy as has been mentioned. Get some OEM hardware from many southeast Toyota dealers right now, they are having a 25% off sale.

 

[jdevtac]

It sounds like they are trying to pull a fast one and get you to think about trading it in given their egregious estimate so they can lowball you and also get you into a new Lexus.

Personally if you haven’t even taken a look at the UCAs yourself and have no idea what to make of all this, like everyone else said, take it to an independent shop with some legit great reviews in the area and see what they say. A shop that specializes in Japanese vehicles/Toyota/Lexus is best.

 

[Arailt]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I'm picking it up tomorrow and taking it to a shop nearby. I just told them the check engine light is on and it pulls to the left. Just like me golfing.

The Lexus dealer did offer me a lot more that I thought they would for the trade (damn near what I paid for it over 5 years, 50k miles ago), but I can't bring myself to go full soccer-mom and buy a GX460 without at least getting another opinion (no offense to the 460 guys).

I've changed my own brake pads, rotors, and calipers many time times over the years. I can probably tackle the UCAs, but I'd be in over my head with LCAs and master cylinder if that actually needs replaced. Problem is I just moved from PA to Texas and my garage is a fraction of the size it was in PA. We have a decent size house with an itty bitty garage that I can barely fit two cars inside. Everything is not bigger in Texas. Plus with two young kiddos, I don't have my weekends for "my" projects like I used to.

Yes, I've been clearing the P0171 (lean bank 1) code for probably 2 years now with no problems. Google says it can be anything from a loose gas cap to a dirty MAF or O2 sensor. It stayed clear for months at a time until recently, along with some other new codes, which is the reason I took it in.

 

[D21FJ60]

Plus with two young kiddos, I don't have my weekends for "my" projects like I used to.

Preaching to the choir- except I have 4 between 3 mo and 5 years - I thought doing the brakes and ignition lock cylinder on my tundra I got two months ago was going to get done and have that thing tagged and inspected and rolling by now.

Nope.

That's why I understand if you're inclined to trade it off for something in better shape, no shame in it. Time is money. Im tempted to offload said tundra and my 100 for a sienna...

 

[jiggletits]

$10k for a rotten GX? Nope.

You can, however, probably do all that work for like $2500 in your garage with OE parts bought online.

 

[Arailt]

I got the paperwork from the Lexus dealer when I picked my car up this morning and it's the control arm bushings that they called out. Seems reasonable given the age. The arms themselves weren't rusted out like I assumed they were based on the service guy's description to me. Still no way I'm paying Lexus to do the work.

I'll let you know what the second opinion says. Thanks again for your help!

 

[Stonefoot72]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I'm picking it up tomorrow and taking it to a shop nearby. I just told them the check engine light is on and it pulls to the left. Just like me golfing.

The Lexus dealer did offer me a lot more that I thought they would for the trade (damn near what I paid for it over 5 years, 50k miles ago), but I can't bring myself to go full soccer-mom and buy a GX460 without at least getting another opinion (no offense to the 460 guys).

I've changed my own brake pads, rotors, and calipers many time times over the years. I can probably tackle the UCAs, but I'd be in over my head with LCAs and master cylinder if that actually needs replaced. Problem is I just moved from PA to Texas and my garage is a fraction of the size it was in PA. We have a decent size house with an itty bitty garage that I can barely fit two cars inside. Everything is not bigger in Texas. Plus with two young kiddos, I don't have my weekends for "my" projects like I used to.

Yes, I've been clearing the P0171 (lean bank 1) code for probably 2 years now with no problems. Google says it can be anything from a loose gas cap to a dirty MAF or O2 sensor. It stayed clear for months at a time until recently, along with some other new codes, which is the reason I took it in.

LCA's aren't bad at all if you get them complete with ball joint...easier than UCAs in a lot of ways imho (access, no ball joint to knock out or f'ed up frozen cotter pin to remove or force threads over). Then alignment shop.

The only concern is if the bolts are frozen since you mentioned rust... Mine came out SUPER easy. The bushings are prolly what they're saying are rotted... Mine were non-existent at 190000....

 

[jiggletits]

Even frozen LCA bolts are not bad with the right tools. Stock up on sawzall blades and get a good steel chisel.

 

[Rednexus]

All of my LCA bolts were frozen. I sawed through them in around 20 min per side with a Harbor Freight sawzall and blades. It's a very doable DIY job in the driveway with a set of jackstands. OEM Toyota LCA's are around $300/ea, Moog's from Rock Auto are around $170.

I'll echo what others said in that the $10K price quoted by the dealer is insane. I'd never go step foot in there again. They are probalby trying to get you to trade so they can fix what's wrong with your GX for much, much less than $10K and then flip it. I bet it would be sold within a week. You can easily do all of this work in a weekend in the driveway for a couple of grand, tops, including the purchase of tools.

 

[Arailt]

I hate to say it, but I threw in the towel. I took it to two more shops today. Both confirmed that the control arm bushings were shot, needed at least one o2 sensor, needed at least one new caliper up front, and master cylinder was failing. One added wheel bearing to the list. Both said replacing the o2 sensor could turn into an expensive job in itself because of the rusty parts and bolts on the exhaust and surrounding areas.

I cut my losses and signed paperwork on a 2019 460 (with ZERO rust!!!). Picking it up tomorrow morning. Thanks for all your help and feedback everyone. It is much appreciated!

 

[Maxacceleration]

Sorry to hear that Arailt. Time moves on, and the same is true with vehicles. The 460 is no doubt a great luxury suv.
Your vehicle has the signs to unload it. More areas of concern would probably show up.
I would keep that 460 stock and enjoy its luxury. Good luck and enjoy!

 

[Stonefoot72]

I hate to say it, but I threw in the towel. I took it to two more shops today. Both confirmed that the control arm bushings were shot, needed at least one o2 sensor, needed at least one new caliper up front, and master cylinder was failing. One added wheel bearing to the list. Both said replacing the o2 sensor could turn into an expensive job in itself because of the rusty parts and bolts on the exhaust and surrounding areas.

I cut my losses and signed paperwork on a 2019 460 (with ZERO rust!!!). Picking it up tomorrow morning. Thanks for all your help and feedback everyone. It is much appreciated!

Park place? Maybe I'll meet you there and offer you $500.00 more than their trade offer. I'm always looking for a project, lol. Seriously, though good luck with the 460. We love ours. (still like my 470 more though)

 

[HomersCanyonero]

Hmmmm

 

[TLar25]

You could fix the problems for much less on your own as others have said, but you would need the time to do it, and will certainly have more problems to address sooner than you will on a newer rust free GX. So I understand it I'm curious how much they gave you for it?