60,000 Mile Service Cost!!!!!

Spark plug change is expensive… rest is super easy.. while I was doing the 60k (including tranny because i tow and off road) I noticed my lower ball joint covers were leaking… the joints were fine but I went ahead and replaced with Napa parts (grease-able) swapped end links whole
I was there… I forgot spark plugs are 60k change… now i gotta do that too

 

the sparkplug change difficulty is overblown. Its not bad once you get in there. Pass side is easy, driver side you just have to loosen a few things to move the bracket out of the way and its just as easy with the right magnet extension.

 

At that price they're going in dry.

 

Transmission drain and do the diffs? That’s like $200-400 at the dealer itself each. They word it to where if you use it in special conditions then they will do the list of services??? Do you have to ask for this if you pay for it? Shouldn’t they JUST DO IT? Oh my G Toyota. They should include brake bleeds also.

 

I know when I've commented about maintenance costs I get 2 responses:
1. why don't you just do the work yourself - we've covered that.
2. well you gotta call an independent shop.....

I just stopped by a reputable local independent shop - asked for an estimate on spark plug change.

Wait for it, MORE EXPENSIVE than the stealership.



Stealership was about $700 and change + tax.

In fairness, Chapel Hill Tire said they'd consider matching the Stealership's price if it was lower, which it is.

I will call a few more shops, but I will be shocked if anyone is significantly cheaper than this.

And if you live in the Raleigh Triangle and wanna do this work - hit my DM!

 

Called another shop..... $482 + tax for spark plug change, NGK plugs.

I can def live with that compared to $800.

 

For reference: Spark Plug change Invoice (Dealership) from 2023 when I had them done: I thought the quote was steep at the time but had it done. I later figured out with help from a service advisor that they (old plugs) had been in the engine for about 115,000 miles. Certainly not like prices of the current time. It was a stretch at the time, but I had also the diffs, transfer case and transmission done, spread over that year. Glad I did.

Labor: $360
Parts: $48.18 (6 OEM Denso 909-01235 @$8.03 ea)
Misc: $3.00
Tax: $2.82
Total: $414.00

 

Just brought my 2020 in for 60k spark plugs and transmission drain and fill. They're telling me I need new rack and pinion, both sides, $2,500. I declined the service. Still have to go pick it up and look at it. Did a search and guess it's not uncommon for these trucks? I'm in a bit of shock. I don't even off road.

 

They have been telling me this for my FJ for the last 10 years! I suggest you crawl under there and look at it yourself. If it has a minor weepage stains on the boots and your reservoir is holding steady, then drive on brother. Just periodically take a look to make sure it's not getting worse. Not all minor leaks require addressing.

 

Thank you Buck. I will do that.

 

Oh sorry, I forgot to add my copyrighted internet advice disclaimer; "but then again, what the hell do I know?"

 

What is the mileage on the truck? 60,000? as per above? (reasonable for a 2020) If that is the actual mileage, something smells. Also: what does "both sides" mean? The normal symptoms of a failing rack are fluid leaks and loss/drop of fluid as indicated on the power steering reservoir. Fluid getting past the internal seals can show itself as damp boots as the fluid slowly collects in them and presents as a "damp look". Check those boots on your truck.

Beware: especially with that "both sides" claim. Unless they have changed the design, the rack is one unit. Watch the fluid level in the reservoir and get a second opinion: the rack is a ridiculously expensive item... not to mention the labor to R&R it. ($$$)

FWIW: I had a dealer tell me my rack boots were "damp" and the rack needed replacement. When I got home I checked the boots on both sides: >>Bone Dry!<<, and the fluid level right at the "hot" line where it has been for the last 40,000 miles and four years since I got it. (current mileage: 142k) I never went back to that shop.

 

Hopefully I uploaded the pics correctly. right and left boot. mileage is 60k. The reservoir was low.

 

My passenger side boot is lightly damp, reservoir is down, but within limits.

I plow two properties, both in the woods, and it’s a lot of turns, lock to lock. Gonna let the seals weep, one day it will be my turn to weep

31k on the clock….

 

Spray the boots with a gentle cleaner rinse them with a clean-water spray (spray bottle) and monitor. Again: watch the fluid level for any loss, and keep it at the proper lines on the reservoir. I cleaned mine, and the only thing that has returned has been some light dirt and dust.

 

And tires. Shit loads of tires.

 

Ya so much for Teslas being better for the environment - with their battery and their tire usage. lol