Toyota steps up

[PapaPerk]

Toyota rocks

 

[Carl_NH]

Crazyal,

Thanks for your response - we are in a similar situation - we drive this maybe 8-10K per year and it seems when it hit 90K in early 2009 we did several things - timing belt, water pump, and new tires. Then mid summer 2009 my wife was driving home she called me (I was out of town) and she said the steering is hard and its making a noise.. told her to park it asap..

Sure enough the steering rack had rusted through around the rubber mount. Called Toyota as this was about the time the rust recall started but they said normal maintenance also wanted $1500+ for the repair. Didn't make me real happy but I got a reman unit and total installed was $1100..

I have reviewed other forums and it seems $600-800 is about the going rate for the "other" items not covered and related labor costs for the frame replacement. I have purchased new left side Cat pipe and both manifolds, and rear muffler - had done Y pipe last year so will have an almost new exhaust. Also bought front and rear brake parts rotors, and shocks and struts, so should be nearly new underneath.

The concern I have is the Asst Service Mgr quoted labor of $300 each to replace manifolds and $200 per axle labor for brakes, and $150 for labor for front struts! Total $1150.. This I believe or hope is the "flat rate" as if they did this w/o the frame job. From what I have read it might take an hour to R&R the manifolds, and maybe 1-1.5 hr. to do the struts when doing the frame.

This is before any other "added items" needing replacement so it seems I need to have a discussion with them before it goes under the knife to clear this up as it seems like they might be gouging a bit..

You also bought parts from them and I know they make a hefty profit on these so in the case where I supply the parts they gouge on labor?

Thanks again,

Carl

 

[crazyal]

I had a leak at the manifolds, at least they said that's where the leak was. I ended up replacing the plugs myself after the frame replacement and all the old ones were slightly loose. I guess 127k is a little too much for platinum plugs. Once I installed the new ones it sounded much better and I was able to sail through the state inspection.

I think I would talk to the dealer. There's no reason why they would charge you much in labor since they have to pull the motor so getting at them is real easy and quick. If they aren't willing to work with you then I would maybe call another and ask them.

A coworker just got a quote on doing the timing belt and water pump, $750 for labor plus parts. I think the dealers are really padding up the labor or the labor rate has gone through the roof.

 

[Carl_NH]

Thanks Crazyal,

I replaced the plugs after the timing belt / water pump replacement about 92K and with platinum as well - they were tight but glad you found your "leak" the easy way. My right manifold "ticks" for about 2 min when cold then is quiet as a mouse. It has passed inspection as when I pull into the garage its quiet - been using the same garage for years so they know me.. They also did timing belt and pump for 4 hrs flat rate $84 plus a few odds and ends so $400 for the labor I supplied the parts $250 for belt, pulleys and pump.

I plan to install my front pads and rotors before it goes in for the frame and maybe back ones too if I get time.

I will be calling them this week to discuss the costs rather than wait to the day of surgery and there are fewer options.. Then when I take it in i intend do a pre frame walkthrough inspection and road test with them to validate all is functioning, no leaks, AC works. Then the same after the replacement - they have done about 100 Tundras so they should have this process down I would think by now.

Thanks again,

Carl

 

[sizzami]

meanwhile ford keeps on ignoring the flying spark plugs on my f-250

 

[crazyal]

Over all it's a great deal. I have my own 2 post car lift so I can inspect everything under the truck. The only two things that are rusty are the driveshaft and the rear axle housing. They give you a 'fake' slip showing they did almost $10k worth of work.

 

[Carl_NH]

Crazyal,

Just picked up my "new" 2000 Tundra from Hurlbert Toyota in Epping NH. Was in for the frame replacement for a week and had a loaner SUV.

As mentioned I bouhgt a lot of new parts, Struts, Shocks, L & R Manifolds, left Catayltic and pipe assy, center and rear muffler, (only part not replaced on the exhaust was the right CAT)

Also, had them replace front rotors, calipers (leaking) and pads, and rear shoes, resurface drums and new e-brake cable and tow hitch assembly. They also replaced parts like battery terminal, all new brake lines front and rear as part of the frame replacement.

I supplied most of the parts and they also did the alignment and since there was a slight shimmy they balanced the tires all around.

They even detailed the truck in and out! Now it runs and drives like a new one! Overall spent $1800 on parts and $1100 on labor all done. So I am very happy with the end result.

Carl

 

[CHDinCT]

So Toyota is now doing buy outs/frame replacements on the older Tundra's? First I've read of it. Had my '99 Tacoma condemned May '10. Killed me to see that truck go to the crusher as it was otherwise perfect inside and out. 116K on it and loads of life left in it. Only issue I had with it was that it had a vibration at 60 mph and up that we could never cure with new or re-balanced tires. Anyway, no mention of them doing a frame replacement back then, but I'm not surprised given what it was costing them to buyout all those tacos at 150% of blue book value.

 

[slowzuki]

And for me and every other owner of a 2003 or early 2004 Toyota Matrix with a 5 speed, when the transmission output bearing goes at between 50,000 and 100,000 miles, you'd better hope you racked the miles up and still had warrantee. No help if you're 1 mile or 1 day over. I had the service manager tell me to my face he'd never heard of the problem while he had two Matrix's with transmissions out being rebuilt at the local shop at the moment I was standing there.

I don't know a single one that has made it over 120,000 miles without this failure.

If you ignore the noise it makes, the transmission eventually locks ups including the front tires and destroys the transmission case.

 

[D33r3 6r33N]

I had a Tacoma '98 with the rust issue. The driver's rear was rusted clear through right before the leaf spring. I took it to dealer who beat a hole in the frame with a hammer who told me that Toyota would by it back.
I got a call a few days later from my regional Toyota rep. who told me they wouldn't buy it back because it had a salvage title. It really burned me up because Toyota says that the frame issue is not a safety issue is why they wouldn't do anything with it.
So, I guess if you are driving down the highway at 65 and your truck frame snaps in half you should be just fine because the cause of the accident is a not safety problem.