2003 4Runner, V8, 4WD

[golharam]

Hi - I have a 03 4Runner, V8, 4WD. Love it. 125K and going strong. I recently took it in a routine oil change, and the dealer told me:

1) I need new front brakes pads + rotors, $459+tax
2) 2 front axles because the inner CV joint boot are split, $1395 + tax, or $859 + tax for rebuilt axles
3) Sparkplugs, $225 + tax
4) Transmission Oil Change, $89 + tax
5) Transfer case oil change, ??? + tax

and some other things I can't remember. $225 for sparkplugs? what? no!

The CV boots look fine to me, although the ends look like the boot clamps are missing. I'm putting new clamps on them and leaving them alone.

I'll do the plugs myself and the transmission oil too. I have someone doing the brakes for $350 total.

This was probably the biggest cost repair I've ever had except for new tires.

 

[wiredman]

Was this a Toyo dealer?? :jaw drop:

 

[BucknutBob]

I'm surprised they didn't try to sell you halogen fluid, muffler bearings, and a new flux capacitor....and for ONLY another $1500! When you said no thanks, did they reach for a gun? I'd tell this dealership where they could stick it. Oh, welcome to the forum...where you'll get much better advice than THAT place!

 

[wiredman]

golharam,
How many miles do you have on it?

Have a question for you.
I'm getting ready to purchase a T4R 06 V8 4WD.

How accurate is the MPG average on dash? From 65-75mph it said 16.5-18. I read that it was off by 2 miles? So I was only getting 14.5-16? That's what my Yuhon XL Denali got. That doesn't make sense!

Mechanic said it needs the timing belt done, that's it, otherwise looks good.

 

[ToolmanJohn]

Yeah, that's the way it goes at the Toyota service dept

I know it all too well. I don't know what the Iridium plugs for the V8 cost but that price was unreal. The brakes, yes, over $400 for pads and turning rotors and labor, not even new rotors.. Been there done that. Never again.

As far as CV joints go... Get the new clamps BUT you should at least try and rinse out the old grease and cram some new stuff in the CV's. If there is any dirt or water contamination, and you leave it in there they will self destruct.
Dealership wanted to replace a CV on my truck for $400ish... I just cleaned it out, new grease, new clamp, and it's smooth as can be for a while now.

And they wanted $214 for the serpentine belt tensioner, no labor, just for the part!!!... Only $68 for a Gates unit from NAPA.

Who can afford $95/hr labor let alone the parts???? The ONLY parts I buy from them are oil filters, button lamps (damn neo-wedge units), and that's it...

 

[golharam]

125K miles on it

It was Lawrenceville Toyota in NJ. They are pretty good in all honesty, at least I thought they were. So here are the details I forgot to mention:

1) Front Brake pads worn to minimum (4mm) and rotors warped and below minimum thickness. $495+tax

2) Both front inner axle boots separated and joint itself contaminated with water. $1395+tax to replace front axles, $835+tax aftermarket.

3) Recommend spark plug replacement $225+tax

4) Recommend trans fluid change $82.50+tax

5) Recommend transfer case fluid change $59+tax

6) Recommend front and rear axle/differential fluid change $139+tax

I've definitely noticed my transmission not wanting to shift into overdrive from 4th gear, but its not consistent at all. It happens rarely, but does happen. So perhaps the trans fluid change is necessary.

$225 for spark plugs? Really? I remember swapping out spark plugs on my first car in high school...took all but 5 minutes. How are they charging $225 for that? I will do this myself.

The other fluids replacement costs seem reasonable. I have to figure out if the cost of the fluids is cheaper if I do it myself.

I haven't actually worked on a car in more than 10-15 years, so I am a bit timid about it. I found someone who will do the brakes for me for $350. He's going to let me watch over his shoulder. He is also bringing CV boot clamps as well. I can ask him about putting new grease in the CV boots to be sure.

So, based on what I've read on the forums, the transmission oil change is pretty easy, but for someone who hasn't done this in a long time, I just hope I'll be able to actually do it.

Gas mileage - I don't know how accurate the computer on the dash is, but it reads between 18.2 to 18.7. It depends on how much highway vs city driving I do. I'm not aggressive nor do I gun it. I haven't done much to monitor how accurate it is though. I do end up spending about $50-$60 per tank in NJ.

OH - When I first bought it, I was going to Dayton Toyota in Dayton, NJ. After the second or third oil change, after I went in for an oil change, the check engine light came on. I thought they didn't do something so replace a drain plug or something, so I drove back. They told me its an oxygen sensor and it would cost me $400. I told them not to touch it, left...went home and googled around about it, and found out I just had to re-seat the gas cap, and the light went away. I never went back to that dealership again.