So I did the forum search and found a bunch of data of varying ages. I just wanted to bounce a price quote for 2020 off you guys. Does $575 sound like a fair price for labor for a steering rack install with a Lexus LX470? I will be providing parts myself (plan to use a Detroit assembly) so this would be straight labor. This is a quote from the Toyota dealership down the road, so I feel confident in their abilities. Thank you in advance for the replies and also you guys rock! I’m the proud owner of a new to 2000 Lexus LX470 with only 281,000 miles on it. I’ve already used a bunch of the guides to do random fix up projects and when I’m done I plan to post a build thread. The $575 seemed so cheap to me I am willing to chalk it up as a lazy tax and just pay someone else.
Steering Rack Replacement Cost Question (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter thatguy81
- Start date
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I paid $250 labor, but that was also a side-job price from a Lexus tech. Based on what I know his side-job labor rates are, $500ish doesn't sound that bad for a 'retail' labor rate.
If $575 is cheap to you then I'd put the money you "saved" toward an OEM rack, instead of the Detroit.
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Very reputable Cruiser shop here in Bay Area quoted me waaay more that $575 labor for rack install. 575 seems fantastic imo...I would also go OEM on the rack.
double post....
guardcompany
Shea
That seems within the normal range for labor. I would only do a OEM rack though.
Trunk Monkey
Moderator
Second on the OEM rack (think I paid $400ish?) and then just under $300 for a local indy shop that knows Cruisers to install.
On jobs with a labor component as high as this (and CVs), I think one should always go OEM unless you really can't afford that price difference. *Note dealer pricing varies like crazy, so you need to vet your parts seller's pricing.
Mine (this year) was $475.00 from McGeorge Toyota. Smart shopper might find it for less.
Definitely recommend OEM on this item.
Man, that's a really good deal. I paid $615 with a dealer hook up. Is there usually much price difference between the older and 03+ racks?
- Thread starter
- #12
Thanks guys! Yeah when they priced in the rack the cost went up to $1150. I figured the Detroit one has a lifetime guarantee with it and I remember the name from my Jeep days. Is the Lexus one still in production and is there any difference between that and the Toyota one?
- Thread starter
- #13
Oh damn, that’s not bad.
For something that’s easy to swap (like a coil pack) sure, get an off-brand part with warranty.
But if it costs $575 and a whole day to swap a part, even if it’s free, then I’d opt for a proven 300k-mile OEM part.
But if it costs $575 and a whole day to swap a part, even if it’s free, then I’d opt for a proven 300k-mile OEM part.
I would buy the OEM rack and go to a reputable shop around your area, they will need to align it after install so it would be good to find a shop that can do it all.
That Detroit warranty is literally worthless unless it covers 100% of the labor for R&R (I've never seen one that does). You'll pay more in labor to have that thing removed/reinstalled than the cost of a brand new OEM rack.
If your car is spot on, and the only problem is the rack: I'd buy Toyota. If it's a throw away in a couple years car anyway (perhaps rust and other issues, like a possible upcomming transmission or transfer case problem, etc.) I'd go aftermarket, or get the current one rebuilt.
gregnash
Anal Retentive Analyst
Agree with everyone else... fork over the money for OEM and just do it right the first time. Things that are easy for you to get a hold of or remove/replace yourself I would think more about AM stuff. I had planned to go NitroGear for my CVs but was just having a hard time finding out why theirs were so much more than comparable competition. Luckily another forum member stepped up and gave me his old inner tulips for a steal to convince me to go OEM axles, and I was able to put together "rebuilt" axles for less than half the cost. Anyways, she drives like butter now!!
This is an intense job of getting things out to replace the rack. So most shops in my area charge between $125-$175/hr for labor. From everything that I have read about rack replacement this is easily a 6-8hr job when done properly with all bushings and whatnot replaced, radiator drained and refilled, etc. (to make removal easier). Thing is, with stealerships, you need to be wary of who is doing the work. Just because they are a Toyota/Lexus mech doesn't mean they actually know what they are doing on these older trucks. There was a guy here that had his local dealership do his rack, had engine problems when he left and found that they "Forgot" to refill the radiator after redoing everything. Another one did a timing belt and did not line things up properly and sheered a cam pin (@2001LC) and were telling the guy that he needed a new motor. Luckily our resident guru 2001LC got his hands on the truck and figured out what the real problem was.
This is an intense job of getting things out to replace the rack. So most shops in my area charge between $125-$175/hr for labor. From everything that I have read about rack replacement this is easily a 6-8hr job when done properly with all bushings and whatnot replaced, radiator drained and refilled, etc. (to make removal easier). Thing is, with stealerships, you need to be wary of who is doing the work. Just because they are a Toyota/Lexus mech doesn't mean they actually know what they are doing on these older trucks. There was a guy here that had his local dealership do his rack, had engine problems when he left and found that they "Forgot" to refill the radiator after redoing everything. Another one did a timing belt and did not line things up properly and sheered a cam pin (@2001LC) and were telling the guy that he needed a new motor. Luckily our resident guru 2001LC got his hands on the truck and figured out what the real problem was.
- Thread starter
- #20
Thanks for all the inputs peeps. Guess I’m going to save up a little more cash for an OEM steering rack.
