Need Advice on $2000 Worth of Repairs

That price for the rear axle seal looks high to me. I had my driver side axle bearing replaced at the dealer for $500 something. They replace the seal in the process. Also, keep in mind that if they gear oil has gone through your bearing and into the brake drum, you need a new wheel bearing as well. The oil will wash all of the grease out of the bearing.

 

I'm planning to go ahead and replace both rear drums, the rear shoes, and all of the little parts inside both drums. Would you happen to know the part numbers for the driver side axle bearing, seal, and wheel bearing? I'll go ahead and do the whole thing as preventive maintenance. If you can think of any other parts I will need for the job, please let me know!

 

I've done lots of drum brakes, and only replaced the wear items (shoes, drums, hydraulic cylinder).
IMHO, unless something else is clearly broken or missing (never seen it), you should be good to go.

The drums, in your case, might be ok. Brake cleaner and fine-grit sandpaper should be enough to clean them.
If the drums are scored and not smooth, then replace them for sure.

 

Item #4... ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME???

 

I just did my water pump yesterday not too bad... except after I was in there I found all
My idlers and tensioners needed replaced too. Over $200 in idlers!
Got pump from rock auto.
I idlers from orielly.

 

Honestly, none of these services are that difficult, except for the water pump. Go somewhere else. These people should be ashamed. But, 265 bucks for brake shoes and some brake parts cleaner, that is an outrage.

 

Pros, usually insist on doing both sides at the same time. If so, that sounds OK.

 

I agree, both sides have to be done, but brake shoes are less than $50 for NAPA premiums, plus a drum parts hardware kit maybe $20 and a half hour of labor plus brake cleaner. That one strikes me as being the worst. And, I doubt they would even bother with the hardware kit. This just strikes me as being the worst on the list, but I have never paid to have mine done.

 

I always do my own work as well, include all 4 items so I am familiar with the work involved.

So you can do both sides of the brakes in 30 minutes? I'm impressed. Shoes are no fun. I'm sure the dealer will charge at least 1 hour of labor (~$100), and about $120 for the OEM (ie - best quality) shoes plus taxes and maybe a disposal fee. So $265 sounds very reasonable to me. For shoes and pads, I always get OEM. Good brakes are kinda important.

I'm more outraged at the $800 for the axle seal ($30 part and maybe 2 hours of labor)

 

But but but.......It's 'worth' more because it sounds really hard.

 

I don't know if the part numbers are the same for 2nd gen, so you can look them up on https://parts.conicellitoyotaofconshohocken.com. There is only 1 bearing at the outside of the axle tube. The other bearings are mounted in the 3rd member.

 

Okay, here is a run down of all of the parts I have bought. I may be going a bit beyond what is totally necessary in terms of replacement, but I would rather put back new parts while they are in there if I can get the parts for cheap. PLEASE note these are not low quality parts just because some prices may be low. I used Warehouse Deals and got some stuff in open box, new condition. Amazing prices there.

Job #1: Water Pump
Cost quoted by dealer: $542.00 + 9.75% TN tax = $594.85
Parts total: $120.53 + 9.75% TN tax = $132.28
Labor cost: $105 + no tax
TOTAL: $237.28
AMOUNT OF SAVINGS COMPARED TO DEALER: $357.57 SAVED!
Parts Needed:
Toyota OEM Water Pump 16100-09471 ($42.52, Warehouse Deals)
Fel-Pro 35654 O-Ring ($1.49, Auto Zone)
Toyota Gasket 16326-31020 ($1.99, Advance)
Bando 7PK2120 Serpentine Belt ($18.08, Amazon)
Stant 48778 Thermostat ($32.49, Amazon)
Two Jugs of Coolant ($11.98 each, Advance)


Jobs #2 and #4: LR Axle Seal and Brakes
Cost quoted by dealer: $1095.00 + 9.75% TN tax = $1201.76
Parts total: $273.77 + 9.75% TN tax on $239.62 = $297.13
Labor cost: $105 + no tax
TOTAL: $402.13
AMOUNT OF SAVINGS COMPARED TO DEALER: $799.63 SAVED!
Parts Needed:
Beck Arnley 084-1761 Drum Brake Parts Kit ($7.43, Warehouse Deals)
Beck Arnley 084-1761 Drum Brake Parts Kit ($18.13, Amazon)
Wagner Z871 Brake Shoes ($8.03, Warehouse Deals)
Beck Arnley 083-3365 Brake Drum ($34.15, eBay - no tax)
Beck Arnley 083-3365 Brake Drum ($57.78, Amazon)
Koyo 4246004010 Wheel Bearing ($107.21, Amazon)
Various gaskets and seals 90310-58003, 90520-41019, 90208-44001, 90301-83002, 42443-60010, 42444-35050 ($24.26, various vendors)
3qts Gear Oil for BONUS: Rear Differential Oil Change! ($16.78, Advance)

https://parts.evanstoyota.com/a/Toy...6727599/REAR-AXLE-SHAFT--HUB/674470-4102.html


Job #3: Valve Cover Gaskets
Cost quoted by dealer: $405.00 + 9.75% TN tax = $444.49
Parts total: $48.14 + 9.75% TN tax on $28.14 = $50.88
Labor cost: $85 + no tax
TOTAL: $135.88
AMOUNT OF SAVINGS COMPARED TO DEALER: $308.61 SAVED!
Parts Needed:
Fel-Pro VS50634R Valve Cover Gasket Set ($20, eBay - no tax)
Denso K20HR-U11 Spark Plugs ($4.69 each, Advance)

TOTAL COST QUOTED BY DEALER: $2241.10 after taxes
TOTAL COST BUYING PARTS AND HAVING THE WORK DONE ELSEWHERE: $775.29 after taxes
TOTAL SAVINGS: $1465.81

I beat the stealership by a mile, and got a considerable amount of bonus work done in the process. In addition to the work the dealer wanted to do, I was able to get my serpentine belt, thermostat, both rear brakes and drums, and spark plugs replaced! I also got the rear differential oil changed and coolant changed. This experience has taught me one thing: NEVER let a dealer do anything unless it is free warranty or recall work. They are bloodsucking leeches.

 

Take it somewhere else....I got a quote for $7,000 for my suv at the lexus dealership this week. Among the many unneeded items was $100 for air filter plus labor. A bad gas cap threw an evap code so instead of sourcing the cause of the code they just wanted to replace $4000 worth of parts and labor first. Also they made up that the water pump needs to be replaced, with this they recommend timing belt, idler pullies, water pump. Another $3000 service, all this for a water pump. Did I mention the car has 30,000 miles on it?

I went in for recall work as well, they know that in the area where the dealership is that people will just pay whatever it takes and do whatever the dealer says. Take it in for a second opinion, find a good mechanic, or do it yourself.

 

Just go to the dealership parts counter. They will tell you the correct OEM parts to get.

No where does it indicate a problem with the wheel bearing or the hub. The seal issue is fixed by replacing just the seal. The oil-soaked shoe issue is addressed by replacing the shoes (but not cheap-ass 8-dollar shoes !! )

 

I agree about dealers offering useless services. After checking each area they addressed, it appears as though they were being honest in their assessments in this case.

Haha, they aren't $8 shoes Warehouse Deals offers some insane deals on open box stuff. These are actually $30+ shoes. I got an OEM water pump from Warehouse Deals for $42 + tax, and it is unused in an open box. It's a great place to buy parts.

 

Yeah, I will say I haven't had that bad of an experience at other dealers. Just that dealer in particular and I think its because they get the "luxury" lexus crowd. The labor generally is more at dealers though.

 

Definitely. Cheap brake shoes, from my experience, separate and crack laterally under moderate/heavy usage. Even if the warranty is excellent, it is not worth the effort constantly swapping them. Get some good shoes.

 

I've never had an issue with Wagner brakes. Are the ones for the Tacoma not known to be good? Like I said in an earlier reply, they aren't really $8 shoes. They are new in an open box and typically sell for $30.

 

I honestly don't remember if I have used Wagners specifically, but they are a good name brand in general. I would bet they are okay.

 

I got the labor estimates recently from a reputable, ASE certified independent mechanic. He has great references and is definitely up for the job. Once everything is finished, I will update the post above with prices to reflect the finalized work. For now, the estimated charges are as follows: water pump $105, valve cover gaskets and plugs $85, and rear axle bearing and brakes $105. $295 for everything is very reasonable to me, especially considering the reputation and certifications of the man doing the work.