$530 to remove a stripped bolt

Took my Taco into the dealer so they could change the front diff oil. I had done everything else on the 90k interval, but I couldn't complete this task due to the drain plug being seized. Toyota wants $530 just to remove the bolt!!! They're quoting me 2 hours of labor (just to remove the bolt) plus the regular ripoff price for actually doing the oil change. Now, obviously this is an obscene price and I'm not paying it, but it has be wondering -- what is a reasonable rate for this, specifically in labor hours?

 

Seized and stripped are very different.

Which is it?

And you're saying their labor rate is $265/hr?

 

Take it to an independent shop- they will fix it for a lot less.

Put these on for future use:
See posts #25 and #26
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/front-diff-drain-bolt-upgrade.811984/page-2#post-29966481

 

It was probably seized and they stripped the hex of its an Allen hex bolt. Welder and a nut can get that off.

 

I was thinking the same thing, but it sounds like he tried to get it off first and it stripped. Taking it to an independent shop will be a lot cheaper to fix it!

 

Most shops I would expect would charge clock time on removing the damaged drain plug but I would expect a competent person with the right equipment to be able to do it in under an hour unless it's totally screwed.

 

Bring me a summer edition (yellow) red bull and we'll knock that shit out kwik

That's assuming it's the keyed hole that's stripped

 

Will this fit on the drain and fill of front diff? I am going to change oil soon and want to replace

 

This

I don't have an itemized breakdown, but I can't imagine there's any parts included considering this is just the cost for removing the bolt.

 

I talked them down to an acceptably outrageous price. I'll have them do the service and never return. They had recommended to replace both front wheel bearings/hubs as preventive maintenance. Three things pissed me off about this: (1) I've never heard of replacing these as preventive maintenance (2) $3,000 was the quote (included brake pads, calipers, rotors, and dust shields) and (3) I had just replaced these two weeks ago myself because one of them was actually bad and I got a great deal on a Left + Right combo. I made a fuss specifically about recommending to replace brand new parts and threatened to leave bad reviews online; this seemed to help them come down on the price to service the front diff.

 

Did they hold you at gunpoint or something? I'm not understanding why you felt compelled to use them if ANY aspect of their quote was not reasonable to you.

 

Because I was able to talk them down to a much lower (but still unacceptable price IMO). While it is still ridiculous, it's worth the convenience to get this behind me rather than taking my truck elsewhere and (maybe) dealing with their BS as well. Next time something comes up that I can't or simply don't feel like doing myself, I'll go somewhere else. If they treat me right, I'll continue to use them.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/wheel-bearings-hubs-press-service-oe-nsk.537080/

Brake parts are like $2-300 and dust shields could be reused unless they're completely rusted out (could be run without them - I do on all of my vehicles).

 

Keep a eye out for the amount of gear oil they come up with. My dealer charged me for 11 qts for the front/rear diffs and transfer when the actual amount is 6-7 qts. All the service manager could come up with was "well, sometimes they take more." wtf?

 

They figured out how to make a liquid compressible, maybe nuclear fusion will be their next feat at the dealership.

 

Yet you sign up anyway.

BTW, they are not going to 'do you right' so you might as well move along now.

Even Johnny's Mufflers and Used Tires can tack a nut on there for a few bucks and a nice tip so you can finish the work yourself

 

Dang my mistake! Actually, this is what you’ll need for the front diff, both drain and fill - see posts #25 and #26 here:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/front-diff-drain-bolt-upgrade.811984/page-2#post-29966481

 

If you accepted it, I'm not sure you can call it unacceptable.

 

Good lord, please don’t use a place that treats you like this. Just go to an independent shop.

 

I've yet to have one that required anything but an air chisel and 20 seconds of BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRT

I'd charge 0.5 likely, then 0.3 for the gear oil change if wanted.