70k strut replacement

[Jeremy556]

For whatever reason Subaru and Toyota don't offer a very long warranty. The reason for the short warranty that I usually hear is something like " Toyota's don't break so they don't need a longer warranty". In my opinion that's an odd way to look at it. If that were true and they are so reliable why would a dealership even stock any parts or have a service department for anything other than changing fluids and other consumables? I'm pretty sure these big service departments don't only change oil and upsell to people who don't really need the parts.

They don't offer a longer warranty because they don't have to. Their reputation for reliability is more valuable to their buyers than GM's 100K mile warranty.

Every time I call the local Toyota dealer looking for a part, other than air/oil filters, they have to order it. There's probably 10 4L60e's in stock at every GM service department.

 

[diverscale]

seriously guys, this warranty chat is nothing to help the original poster in avoiding a 3500$ charge. Why not start a new thread on the subject?

If anybody that has a direct expertise OEM toyota suspension system could certify my theory (quite a while since I didn't look into that section of the maintenance manual), that could be a viable solution for the OP.

 

[1engineer]

To the first poster:

Get another quote.

Like I said in a earlier post, the X-REAS system is a sealed system with check valves before the shocks. When removed, those check valves will prevent the system from leaking and a ''normal'' shock interchange can occur.

Even if you had a leak, the leak would affect the shock (AFAIK) and the rest of the system should not be affected, as long as your shock did not leak -all- of its oil, which is probably not the case!.

So, the rest of the system does not need to be ''refilled'', or component replaced, which would explain such a steep price.

What I would advice you to do, is go to a shop, or a toyota dealer, and ask ONLY for OEM shock replacement. And be done with it.

If you change your suspension component, you will lose the X-REAS stability features (which I like very much, wathever ppl say here). Personally, I will do everything possible to keep my X-REAS. So, keep that in mind.

I will start a thread about warranty lol. Now to your point:
With XREAS, one of the shocks could eventually fail a seal and start leaking from use just like a regular shock. The difference is instead of just replacing a cheap shock like on my SR5 you have to replace it with a $$$ XREAS shock and recharge the XREAS system since the shock is part of the system. Not the whole system but back to the shuttle check valves. The other option is do away with the XREAS and replace all four shocks with regular or 5100's. So to fix it back to stock is a lot of money.

 

[diverscale]

I will start a thread about warranty lol. Now to your point:
With XREAS, one of the shocks could eventually fail a seal and start leaking from use just like a regular shock. The difference is instead of just replacing a cheap shock like on my SR5 you have to replace it with a $$$ XREAS shock and recharge the XREAS system since the shock is part of the system. Not the whole system but back to the shuttle check valves. The other option is do away with the XREAS and replace all four shocks with regular or 5100's. So to fix it back to stock is a lot of money.

Well, that is why I disagree here, I do not think you have to refill even if your shocks leak.

What I mean is that, even if there is a leak at the shock absorber level, if it does not leak -all- of its fluids and intake air into the adjacent oil lines (which is unlikely), there should be no refilling involved. (also, per repair manual, no re-filling involved even if a shock leaks)

But I did a mistake in my first post. Here, in this case, only the limited shock absorbers (listed 55$ on toyota parts of dallas) and the central shock absorber (couldn't find the price) shall be required. Also per repair manual:

PRECAUTION

1. HANDLING PRECAUTIONS FOR CENTER UNIT AND SHOCK ABSORBER
(a) Replacement of each unit is allowed if there is no fluid leakage. However, in the case of fluid leakage from the system, replace both the absorber and center unit as a set.

(b) It is possible to replace a unit only if it is the first time the part is being replaced. Replace the system parts as a set if it is the second time or later.




So, I re-propose that: you could go to a shop or Toyota, get your 4 shocks and 2 central shock absorber changed, no refilling and special machine/skill required. Or, even better, if only 1 shock absorber (or 2 on the same X-REAS line) have leaked, only replace 1 central shock absorber. Lines do not need to be touched because there are check valves protecting fluid leakage during changeovers.

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

I think OP forgot to mention that the $3500 charge includes a dry old fashioned on every service visit. Seems like a deal to me....

 

[1engineer]

Well, that is why I disagree here, I do not think you have to refill even if your shocks leak.

What I mean is that, even if there is a leak at the shock absorber level, if it does not leak -all- of its fluids and intake air into the adjacent oil lines (which is unlikely), there should be no refilling involved. (also, per repair manual, no re-filling involved even if a shock leaks)

But I did a mistake in my first post. Here, in this case, only the limited shock absorbers (listed 55$ on toyota parts of dallas) and the central shock absorber (couldn't find the price) shall be required. Also per repair manual:

PRECAUTION

1. HANDLING PRECAUTIONS FOR CENTER UNIT AND SHOCK ABSORBER
(a) Replacement of each unit is allowed if there is no fluid leakage. However, in the case of fluid leakage from the system, replace both the absorber and center unit as a set.

(b) It is possible to replace a unit only if it is the first time the part is being replaced. Replace the system parts as a set if it is the second time or later.




So, I re-propose that: you could go to a shop or Toyota, get your 4 shocks and 2 central shock absorber changed, no refilling and special machine/skill required. Or, even better, if only 1 shock absorber (or 2 on the same X-REAS line) have leaked, only replace 1 central shock absorber. Lines do not need to be touched because there are check valves protecting fluid leakage during changeovers.

I agree. The only thing that would mess up your supposition is if the center control valve was leaking. Getting KDSS and XREAS mixed up in my brain...

 

[Jhalko]

seriously guys, this warranty chat is nothing to help the original poster in avoiding a 3500$ charge. Why not start a new thread on the subject?

If anybody that has a direct expertise OEM toyota suspension system could certify my theory (quite a while since I didn't look into that section of the maintenance manual), that could be a viable solution for the OP.

Actually two guys with direct expertise did chime in, they just don't advertise their jobs in every post, and they posted before you so probably haven't seen yours. Plus you had the legend himself Harper that has his system sitting in the garage, heck I'd trust him to install it over most toyota dealerships, probably understands it better than most techs. A lot of the rest of the posts are just squabbling over details and post accuracy, but it's a public forum so that happens.

 

[grammatik2015]

I guess it would be nice if Toyota did have a 5 year 100k warranty on the drivetrain. After reading all of these threads I'm beginning to see why Toyota only gives a 3 year 36K Warranty.. Speaking of WRX, Subaru is another one of these companies with a huge fan base that has short warranties.

I have noticed that there are quite a few Subaru's and Toyota's sitting on dealer lots with right at about 36k miles. Must be people trading in to get a vehicle with a warranty or lease returns.

This is why I am looking to lease. No likely out of warranty repairs (15k/year), tires, breaks etc. and list goes on and on. SR5 Premium for ~$410/month OTD (fees/taxes/ $0 down). Not interested in muddin' or rock crawling so would work for me