Prices for dealer replacement of left front axle?

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cmassa

cmassa

Joined
Jun 1, 2008
Threads
27
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Location
Chico, California
While under my 2003 LC greasing the driveshafts to get rid of the clunk (it worked by the way) I noticed that the inner CV boot on the driver's side was torn and throwing grease. I took it to the dealer today and to replace with an aftermarket axle they are quoting $1100. If I wanted an OEM axle it would be around $1600. I went with the aftermarket axle and had them do it because I don't have the time or the knowledge (currently) to get it done myself. I do some rare off-roading but primarily the LC is a daily driver. He says the driver's side costs more because it takes much more labor. This is the only dealer in town. Does this seem like a fair price or on par with other dealers?

Thanks,
Chris
 
You’re getting g taken to the cleaners. A new OEM axle is $400 at most and doesn’t take a whole lot of time to replace. Find someone else.

Labor is the same both sides.

Edit: thought you were saying that’s the price for one side. If it’s for both that’s not terrible, but still high.
 
Last edited:
The drivers side is more labor? That's a first. If anything, the drivers side is easier because there's more clearance due to the diff being offset to the passenger side. My local dealer quoted me something in the realm of $1100, in labor only, for both sides plus the cost of parts, so it's not way out there to me, but it IS way more than what it SHOULD cost, considering the actual amount of labor involved.
 
My local dealer is known for charging a lot. I should have known when the OEM heater T's cost me $40. Oh well. I guess I'll try it myself next time but I'll need to find another source for OEM axles because they are charging $500 for the aftermarket axle.

Chris
 
I would spend some time and find a reputable independent shop to work on your 100. Dealerships are the LAST place to buy parts or have service/repairs performed.
 
I used to be a fleet manager with cars/drivers all over the state of Florida. A bunch of the cars would have the exact same issues (stupid Chevy not recalling stuff), and I'd get WILDLY different quotes on the exact same repair, exact same year/make/model, all from Chevy dealerships. It was baffling. I don't like dealerships.
 
Yeah, it's not going back to the dealer for repairs, they do give me free oil changes though. Although I don't think they've greased the driveshaft since I had to put almost a full tube of grease into the slip joints. I had the passenger side axle replaced last year and I don't think the price was nearly that much. Anyway, if it needs it again I might do it myself. At 192K miles, this is the second replacement for both sides. A friend just told me of a local shop that does good work which formed by mechanics that used to work at the Toyota dealer. I'll have to check them out.

Chris
 
My local shop charges $240 per side labor. I typically will by parts from dealer and have my local shop do the work.
 
Just got back from picking up the LC. I asked about the price and I was right that they charge less for the right side, about half! He kept telling me that the driver's side requires more work to change the axle and that's what it showed in their charge schedules. I thought they were the essentially same procedure. Oh well, at least it's done.

Chris
 
It's been a couple of months and I now have a vibration throughout the vehicle during hard acceleration when at highway speed (>65 mph). I've checked the universal joints front and rear and they are tight. I'm getting the tires rotated and balanced this week. Do you think this could be related to that aftermarket front axle?

Chris
 
cmassa said:
It's been a couple of months and I now have a vibration throughout the vehicle during hard acceleration when at highway speed (>65 mph). I've checked the universal joints front and rear and they are tight. I'm getting the tires rotated and balanced this week. Do you think this could be related to that aftermarket front axle?

Chris
Click to expand...

Yes. Very common thing with aftermarket axles.
 
Also FWIW, the driver and passenger CV replacement is exactly the same. Not sure why labor would be double on one of them.
 
atnolan94 said:
Yes. Very common thing with aftermarket axles.
Click to expand...

Is it anything I should worry about? I'm not about to take it back to that dealer to get it fixed. If needed I can buy an axle online and do it myself.

Chris
 
cmassa said:
It's been a couple of months and I now have a vibration throughout the vehicle during hard acceleration when at highway speed (>65 mph). I've checked the universal joints front and rear and they are tight. I'm getting the tires rotated and balanced this week. Do you think this could be related to that aftermarket front axle?

Chris
Click to expand...
I would say with about 99% certainty that it’s the aftermarket axle. The last and only time I used an aftermarket axle I thought the joint might actually explode it was shaking so bad under exceleration.

OEM axles are definitely with the extra money.
 
cmassa said:
Is it anything I should worry about? I'm not about to take it back to that dealer to get it fixed. If needed I can buy an axle online and do it myself.

Chris
Click to expand...
I would definitely replace it with OEM if you are getting bad vibes.

The axle can be replaced in about 30-45 minutes if you have all the tools lined up and ready to go. A good set of duckbill pliers, pry bar, brass drift, and a torque wrench for the ball joint all makes things go alot quicker. It’s really not a bad job at all.
 
Resurrecting an old thread.
I just got quoted $950 per side at my local Toyota dealership to do the C/V Axles on my wifes 2001 LX470. I imagine everything is the exact same as the LC. I'm thinking of doing this myself and using the extra money saved to update other things. I have 225k miles on it, and everything is original. What all would you guys recommend I change out while in there? I was thinking just the tie-rod ends and sway bar bushings. The sway bar bushings look old and rotten, but the tie rod ends look good, as do the upper and lower ball joints. What about bearings? Replace, or just pack with new grease?
I only need this thing to last me another 3 years (30-40k miles) before we upgrade to a 200 series. Thoughts?
 
Borrego said:
Resurrecting an old thread.
I just got quoted $950 per side at my local Toyota dealership to do the C/V Axles on my wifes 2001 LX470. I imagine everything is the exact same as the LC. I'm thinking of doing this myself and using the extra money saved to update other things. I have 225k miles on it, and everything is original. What all would you guys recommend I change out while in there? I was thinking just the tie-rod ends and sway bar bushings. The sway bar bushings look old and rotten, but the tie rod ends look good, as do the upper and lower ball joints. What about bearings? Replace, or just pack with new grease?
I only need this thing to last me another 3 years (30-40k miles) before we upgrade to a 200 series. Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Interested in the answer you get. I may be in the same boat as you but with about half the mileage.
 
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