Estimate for struts, shocks, and left tie rod

I have a 2000 xtracab 4x4 with 168k miles on it. It still has all the original components, but needs new struts and shocks (which I knew about), and apparently needs a tie rod on the left side as well. The shop is quoting me $1862 to replace those parts plus an alignment. The tie rod labor/alignment quote on its own was $559. It feels a little steep to me, but I am in California in the Bay Area. Wondering what your thoughts are on this, planning to get some other estimates.

 

I’m in San Diego and that sounds like highway robbery. I’d look for a Mobile mechanic and buy the parts yourself but that just me.

 

Welcome to TW.

You can get an OEM tie rod for around $60 from a Toyota dealer's website in your area. Do local pick-up for next day availability. If you don't have the press tool to separate the the tie rod from the knuckle you can probably rent one from a parts house for free (or bang on it with a hammer like the Genius in the video below). Beyond that, all you need is a socket set and ratchet. I'm actually planning to do this job myself next week.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVQHgcXEhpE

 

Struts I don't know, but $559 for one tie rod and alignment is robbery, even for $200/hr bay area labor. The alignment by itself should be $100.

 

RR both tie rods
Not just one

possible shop only replacing shock of the coil assembly. Big time labor compressing springs/removing/then reinstalling on new shock
Especially when you can buy a “loaded” coil assembly and bolt in

 

If they're giving you OEM coilovers (no struts on these trucks, but almost every shop calls them struts) around 2K is a great deal. I would be concerned on what they are selling you for new parts. Also a truck this old will definitely need new lower ball joints, search around here to see why.

I put almost 2K into mine but I also put in a new rack (coilovers, TRE's, LCA's, rack, bushings . . . ) They're probably selling aftermarket coilovers like Monroe Quick Struts which will fail within a few years.

OEM coilovers are no longer made but Suspensionlifts.com is the best price I found for assembled coilovers as close to stock as possible. For LBJ's, TRE's or tie rods go with OEM, I found McGeorge Toyota (now Ourisman) the overall winner on OEM parts.

If you're not doing it yourself, you might strike a deal to get the parts and have them installed. Whatever you do, stick with OEM on lower ball joints.

 

Sooner or later, and prolly real soon now, you should seriously consider replacing the lower ball joints. If they've never been replaced (and I don't know how you could find out) you're driving on borrowed time. Search this forum for "replacing LBJs" or some such and you'll see what can happen when one of them decides to take a dump, and what you can do to prevent that from happening. Replacing both LBJs is a good morning's work for a newbie if he has the right tools, and if he doesn't, he can borrow them from his local auto parts store.

I think that front shocks are around $175 each for Bilstein 4600 (which is what you need) and the tool to compress the springs runs around $60-$75. Prices for everything are just sky-rocketing now, so I'm prolly 'way below what they actually cost. The time to replace them, for a beginner, is prolly around 3-5 hours measured from moving the jack into position to letting the jack back down.

You can replace the shocks in one job, and do the LBJs and the tie rod in another. I would recommend you replace the LBJs first though.

If you decide to do the work yourself and have any questions or run into problems, the folks on this forum will get you running again.

 

Is there a good write up on replacing the lbj’s?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYUVNriFc98&pp=ygUWdGFjb21hIGxiaiByZXBsYWNlbWVudA==

 

Before I start working on my truck, I always take a look at Timmy the Toolman's videos for the job I'm considering. I can't tell you how much time and money he's saved me over the last 25 years! Here's the link >> https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=UU9EMiD9KPy61kJ6hdXcbjxA

 

Tie rod is $80 Genuine Toyota (I just bought one this month and installed my self). In my area alignments are consistent $150. It's like an hour to put on the tie rod. Coil overs can be had from suspension lifts for $500 for good ones. Quick Strut are $300 on Amzn. Takes an hour each side or so. That $1700 quote you got seems high to me for those repairs.

 

To put that quote in perspective, those 5 replacements would take me about 4 hours if I'm rushing. Let's say $600 for parts, that's $300/hr + alignment. Bring it out to Mesa, AZ, I'll happily do it for half

 

I would Not Ever recommend smashing on the LBJ such like that
Not ever.

 

Im not surprised at that high Bay Area quote. I’ve been quoted some crazy numbers here as well. I just did the inner and outer tie rod ends on mine this summer in my driveway. Rented the inner tie rod end tool from Autozone, worked fine. I bought some lightly used Bilstein coilovers from a guy on marketplace for $200 and they were an easy install - only 4 bolts and no specialty tools needed.

 

That's why he was referred to as a "genius"