Frame Replacement Costing me $$$$$$ !?

Some background on my truck. 2010 5-speed A/C with just over 160k miles on it. In the last 6 months its gotten: full clutch replacement, brakes, rotors, serviced drum brakes, brake lines, transmission mount, tires, cam bolts, UCA ball joints. Probably forgetting something. Bottom line, drives great but steering rack squeals sometimes…

While doing an oil change, I found a significant hole near the pass side cab mount. Decided it was time to take my truck for the frame replacement. I got the call from the Toyota service guy and he said he had good news and bad news. Good news, its getting a new frame. Bad news, they found issues they want to charge me for. Here we go…

He goes on to tell me that the tech found various parts that should be replaced and that the total is around $7000. I get him to read me the invoice:

· Power steering rack is toast

· Power steering lines are rusted and cant be transferred over

· CV axels are bad and needs to be replaced

· One of my front calipers (6 months old) had failed and needs to be replaced

· U bolts and chackles are rusted and needs to be replaced

· Bump stops are needed (ive got airbags now)

The only problem myself, or my very trustworthy mechanic know about, is the power steering rack. While I’ve got the service rep on the phone I tell him I don’t are to any of the replacements except for the power steering rack and maybe the power steering lines. I’ll provide the u-bolts and bump stop and get a warranty replacement for the caliper that failed. This gets the bill cut down to around $1600.

Next, I call my mechanic and fill him in on the situation. He is very familiar with this kind of dealership BS and tells me I should tell them to pound sand. Don’t pay a dime for anything and say I want my truck back just like I brought it in, just with a new frame. He admits that it might be okay to get a few things done is absolutely needed but not to green light anything ahead of time.

I’m wondering what the best way to proceed here is. I’m aware that they might be trying to double dip and charge me for the mechanics time (at retail cost) while Toyota is also paying them for that same hour / part transfer… Has anybody else had a similar experience when getting the frame replaced? Any and all input appreciated.

For a loaner I got a 2020 SR5 v6 A/C & I kind of like it…


TLDR: Toyota wants to charge me thousands in replacement parts when doing a frame replacement. I’d rather not spend more money on a 12 year old truck if I can help it.

 

I would get warranty replacements for the parts you replaced that they say failed. Then I would buy the other parts they say need replaced and give them to the tech. Tell them to pound sand on the labor because they have to remove and replace those parts anyway.

EDIT: Also verify that the parts they say are bad, are actually bad.

 

Go have them show you everything wrong, take your mechanic friend. Service Writers add shit to your bill all the time, most of the time not knowing what it is, techs also add things for preventative up front breakages(this is soo rusted it will break when we attempt to remove it).

 

I agree with the mechanic, only get the frame. When it’s complete, take to a dealer and trade it in. You already went to far down the rabbit hole with repairs. Cut your losses ASAP.

 

All that stuff minus the steering rack are easily done. The steering rack is a pain but absolutely doable yourself based on what you have done already. I agree with everyone else just tell to swap your frame. If they say they will destroy the rack and steering lines in the process replace them before they do the frame. Surely you have a little wait for a scheduled frame replacement to get that other stuff done if needed beforehand. Maybe they will install the new parts for free if you bring them but maybe they wont. I guess you could always ask ahead of time.

 

Talk to the shop. Rusty frame = rusty part = pain to unbolt and reinstall on new frame.

When my frame was replaced they gave me 10% off replacement parts from them and installed those and my supplied parts (UCAs for example) for no labor.

You say that your PS rack is bad, now is the time to replace it, and the tie rods too. If you wait you’ll get to pay for fix and alignment.

 

Print out the agreement AND the list of ancillary parts that should be covered. Your power steering lines are ON THIS LIST. Start here....and I will try to find the ancillary parts list.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...arts-list-and-request-for-suggestions.523352/

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/frame-rust-recall.263311/page-190#post-21872349

List of covered ancillary parts (thread page 190) was revised in 2018. Print this list and show it to your service manager, then take your truck elsewhere if he tried to charge you for ANYTHING on it.

 

I just dont understand the dealership's thinking on any of this. They make a lot of money on each frame replacement. A LOT! They have the ability to cultivate an enormous amount of goodwill simply by doing each customer right. Instead they overcharge or possibly even double charge for warranty covered parts. They cause incredible angst to customers who have to navigate their bullshit when they could be helping them through a stressful process. My frame replacement was done well and I enjoy my truck more than ever......but I was bent over to the tune of close to a grand. That dealership will never see another dime of my hard earned money, ESPECIALLY in service.
<rant over> LOL

 

You are entitled to your rant. 90% of the time; they are scumbags in their dealings. Shouldnt even be a surprise at this rate. More surprising when they genuinely help lol

 

For me they asked if I wanted waterpump, belts, hoses and mounts replaced. They wanted $450 . Waterpump yes. The other stuff should be covered.

 

1600 is a hill of beans, I'd do exactly what you have done and get them the replacement parts. Even if they're being overzealous, none of those parts would bother me to have new. Enjoy your truck for another ten years

 

Make sure they put the rack bolts in upside down upon reassembly.

 

When i had my frame done on my 05 dealer told me i needed a steering rack
Mine had no leaks no problems
I told them no
They did do a good job on frame but this dealer is not the best to deal with
As soon as i was done went to mechanic around the corner from me he and all his guys drive Toyotas
He said no way on rack, drove it 2 years no problems before sold
Not saying you don’t need it just be careful or see how much your mechanic would charge you
Once i got my Taco back it was easy to work on because most of the bolts where changed or loosened upon frame replacement
I’m not saying all dealers are shady but unfortunately some are
For warranty work i now used a different dealer but they are farther away and its a hassle to get my Taco there

 

OP....any updates?

 

Where do you think this "A LOT" of money comes from? They're giving you a free frame with free labor to install it. Where is the money? The MANUFACTURER determines how much money a dealer gets per warranty job & they don't want to pay any more than the bare MINIMUM to get you out the door.

So how is this determined?
Before the recall is announced, the manufacturer sets up the job in a controlled, pristine environment - everything is set up - tools, vehicle, parts, everything - PRISTINE. Then the same guy does the job over & over again & gets GOOD at it. Good = FAST. The manufacturer then takes his best time & that determines how much the job pays.

At the dealer, the tech has to go find your car - in a sea of identical cars, sometimes on multiple floors, bring it in the shop, put it on a hoist, go to the parts department, get the parts, go back to the car, get out all his (expensive) tools before he can even start the work. Then, in this case - he's going to have to deal with alot of rusty bolts. Rusty bolts suck. Rusty bolts take time. Remember - when the warranty time was determined, the vehicle was PRISTINE. There was no rust when that time to do the job was determined.
So it's a loose loose situation for the technician. The job may pay 25 hours - whatever it is to replace your frame, but the technician may spend 30 hours - or more - on the car. Warranty work sucks! Most of the time, it's very difficult to get a warranty job done in the time allotted. Sometimes there is no way to meet the time - you know the manufacturer cheated/fudged the labor numbers. There is recourse a technician can take, but this evoques a whole other set of implications & bad juju - from the manufacturer. That's a whole other rabbit hole...
There is no money in warranty work.

So the MANUFACTURER controls everything - money, culture... Everything.
I used to work in dealerships & I don't even live in the rust belt. I feel bad for the guys who do, who have to do this job.
In order to make A LITTLE money, an honest tech/adviser will recommend stuff the car needs that may be easier to replace while the car is apart. Crooked ones recommend stuff your car doesn't need. And there's crooked people EVERYWHERE. Hell, my better half works in dental insurance & sees crooked dentists doing shitty stuff all the time. I'm not saying it's right; I'm saying its everywhere, not just dealers.
And there's gotta be a special place in hell for crooked dentists.

 

I let the customer know, do you want new shocks, rack, brakes etc.

If they dont want it, thats fine. I do the frame and punt it out.

 

U bolts and steering lines, sure id pay for those. But the for rest they can eat a bag of dicks.

 

First of all, thank you all for all the information.
TW never seems to fail
I don't really have an update at this point but i've contacted my dealership (Woburn Toyota) to discuss the new developments...
As soon as i've got more info ill follow up here.