Frame Replacement - dealer wants to charge $550 for a new steering rack

My truck is in for a new frame. I just got a call from the dealer. They want to replace my rack and pinion. They said it has a slight leak. I've never seen any leaked but it's possible. They want $550 to do the job. Is that reasonable? They said it's a 6 hour job but would only charge me 2 for labor. Worth it?

 

i would fight it, say you brought in a truck that wasn't leaking and they want to give you back one that is. They tried to pull that with me with the iacv valve (granted mine is original with a lot of miles) but i brought them a truck with no cel lights on and after the frame replacement (which took 5 months) the cell was on for that. They called and said lights on part is $300 and labor was another $200. I fought it and said i brought them a truck that was clear, they said when they go to the truck the battery was dead (had to remind them they had truck for 5 months lol) and then they ordered the part and replaced for free.

 

If you've got the $550, I say go ahead.

You might want to head up and see the "leak" yourself though.

 

A leak???

Is that $550 for a rebuilt or a brand new Genuine Toyota Part? Does the price include installation?

Six hours is excessive to replace a rack. Seems like around three hours is reasonable, especially when a hoist, tools and an technician experienced in replacing racks is involved.

I would say that $550 for a rebuilt rack, installed, is a good price, especially from a dealer, but I think the dealer is going to "fix" the leak rather than replace it for that amount.

If a dealer wants to charge you $550 for a brand new rack, excluding installation, I would be suspicious.

I do not trust any dealer, anywhere, any time, no way no how, to do anything whatsoever to my truck.

 

They shouldn't be charging you for labor at all since it would be removed during the frame swap. I'm calling BS.

 

Just do it.

 

I'd say parts but no labor. I don't see how the rack wouldn't come off anyway during a frame swap. So, if it's coming off anyway, who cares if it's the old one or a new one.

 

Definitely go in there to see for yourself. It's entirely possible (even likely) that you wouldn't notice a "slight leak", and it only becomes apparent when disassembled for the frame replacement.

If they try to charge you labor to put it on, however, you can hand them a big ol bowl of NOPE. There's no way they should be charging labor for that on TOP of doing a frame replacement.

That's like charging extra labor for replacing the water pump when doing the timing belt.

 

if its $550 and it includes a brand new OEM rack, then yes, do it even if they say labor is being charged. If its $550 for labor + parts, FIGHT the labor charge. the cheapest you will find an OEM rack online is around $525

 

So they agreed to no labor charge, but parts for a remanufactured unit is $511. I'm holding off.

They back pedaled a bit and said it wasn't leaking but it was a bit damp around a seal area/ fitting.

I looked at it and there wasn't anything obvious.

 

good thing you checked. $511 for a re-manufactured is overpriced, and it doesnt sound like a bad leak at all.

 

I took my taco for an alignment an they said rackandpinion was leeking an they wanted $890 parts an labor . But turn out it was my camshafts plugs that where leeking down to the rack . I spend $ 35 for parts and clean my rackandpinion. Steelership dont trust them. They make money on commissions for the up sales. Just saying my TW bothers .

 

Been there done that. My rack has some slight discoloration and slick residue from maybe it had a slight weep at one point but has not leaked since. They claimed I had a big leak and the rack needed to be replaced for $850. Had them point it out on my truck to me underneath and I laughed my way out of there.

 

The dealership called me back today. They wanted $720 for a new Toyota rack. No thanks.

 

Thieves

 

mechanics almost always opt towards "I recommend replacement." It's how they make their margins.

Like the $40 to "clean my battery terminals" bs I get everytime I take our Corolla in for it's service. Only reason I take to the dealer is it's free (well sort of, I have the extended warranty thing). I get the feeling that the managment tells them to push it on everyone, but they all know it's bs, and probably feel bad when someone says yes to it. The mechanic is almost relieved when I say no.

 

eBay has new OEM racks for 595.00 shipped, and it should take 2.5 hours for install and removel plus
you will need an alignment

 

I am curious has the rack been swapped to the new frame??

Did they break something removing it from the old frame now wanting the OP to pay for there mistake .

Now no one wants to own up to doing the damage .

Just a thought

 

The old rack is on the new frame. It feels the same as it did before I took it in. There are no leaks. I suppose it's not as tight as a brand new truck, but it I don't have one to compare it to.

 

I asked. The $550 quote was for a remanufactured unit. It was $720 or so for a Factory new one. This is parts only; they said no charge for labor.