(04) Lower Ball Joints + Tie Rods w/ Labor = $2,000?

I'm at 150k on my 2004, northern truck most of its life so I expected to need some stuff done because of mileage and rust. When I got new tires they gave me a list of what else I needed.

The estimate is around $2,000 from Express Oil Change, they've got a good garage in my city but it's still Express so I wanted to see what you guys thought of this price. I'm gonna get a couple more estimates but is this pretty much ballpark price of this work?






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Get the parts and bring them over, we'll knock them out with some beers

 

Is the gear box/ rack bad?
Or is it just the tie rods?

The quote is for the WHOLE rack and pinion?

I suggest letting @Kwikvette take a look at it.
That is, if he is close and doesn’t mind?

 

If I remember I paid 125.00 per side OEM for the joints =250.00,

make sure you get OEM LBJ

 

According to the paperwork you're getting a new power steering rack installed, not just the tie rods. A rack replacement is considerably more labor than just the tie rods and ball joints but it still seems too high

 

Did they mention you needed a whole new steering rack or did they just say the tie rods needed done?

 

Honestly not sure, I unfortunately don't know much at this level of mechanical work. The quote is for everything he said I needed, he told me I was also leaking fluid, I assume power steering fluid, and the tie rods are completely rusted on so they need replaced. I'm about 20 min outside of Birmingham, AL. I don't mind paying, just wanna make sure I get a fair price.

 

Also $600 for a reman (probably aftermarket) rack is crazy, you can get a brand new OEM Toyota rack for less than that and it will last longer

 

If the rack is leaking, that would make sense.
It would need replaced.

But I’d be questioning what brand as @eon_blue said.

 

Yeah I get that shops have to mark up parts a bit to make a profit, but if you have the time and they allow it, I would look into buying a new Toyota steering rack from Mcgeorge Toyota online and bring it to them. I paid ~$525 for mine about a year ago, probably costs a little more now but still better than anything reman or aftermarket.

I know some shops don't allow customers to bring in parts but out this way I haven't run into any that cared, they usually just won't warranty anything you bring in.

 

Yea, it is Express so I'm super weary of them doing this type of work and overcharging me with inferior parts. There's a garage in town I'd trust more and he gets OEM parts, I'll get a quote from him.

As for needing a new steering rack or just tie rods, like you said, the guy said it was "leaking" so I assume I need the entire rack, but he was telling me all this pretty fast over the phone while they were putting on my tires and then said "thought I'd call you before we did the work to clear it with you first because I don't do business like that" lol...no shit man.

 

Yeah if the boots on the rack around the inner tie rods are leaking PS fluid, the seals are bad and you need a new rack. I don't doubt you need one but the overall cost and the fact that it's a quick express lube place makes me nervous about the quality of parts and labor you're gonna get

 

It's listed as a reman rack and the whole rack is quoted. You can get a reman for less than half that elsewhere. You can find a NEW rack and pinion for that price, with filters and inner tie rods. The price seems exorbitant for the ball joints (MOOG or ACDELCO sohuld run about $45 each) and outer tie rods (MOOGs will run about $30 a piece) as well. Labor seems a tad high, but not outrageous based on your locality.

All said and done, your parts bill for new OE parts should be nearer to $750, not $1323.77. Place is gouging you with those prices. Also, $125 an hour is more in line with standard labor prices these days. If you find a shop charging in the ballpark of $1300 for new OE parts and labor on that job, they aren't marking up the parts and you're getting a more fair deal. My two cents.

 

ducking ripoff, just rent the tools out from auto zone and do it yourself

 

I have not paid labor for years so is $135.00/hour about average ?

At a Express Oil change .

I would Check out your other option OP.

 

100% the oil change tech FUBARs the torque spec on the LBJ bolts...

@Nate82 did you try your regional thread? Not the best weather these days but I'm guessing there are other tacomaworld peeps close by to you.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/alabama.275/

 

I had a quote from a local shop in do my UBJ, LBJ, inner and outer tie rods for $2500. I bought a kit from am-autoparts ($893), bought the tools and did it myself.

 

Lower ball joints are one item where people are suggested to use OEM, or at the very least, 555 brand.

Those "parts kits" often use the lowest quality parts so if you can, do yourself a favor and put in some better lower ball joints.

Don't let saving a few bucks turn into an expensive lesson.

 

Yeah, I learned the hard way. OEM next time. But the job can be done with the right tools

 

You've got 4 you created threads on ball joints alone; you were given the information.

All that help provided yet ignored

Let's just hope your 5th thread isn't a "my lbj broke while driving..."