tbannister
New member
The service dpt mechanic noted oil on my struts of my 2011 4runner and recommended replacement @ 70k miles!
$3500! I'm pissed
$3500! I'm pissed
70k strut replacement
- Thread starter tbannister
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theunderlord
New member
What exactly did the estimate say?
flyboysgt
New member
Id laugh and walk out!
harper7
Senior Member
What model 4Runner and what service dept?
I have a XREAS suspension with about 5k miles on it and also a spare Bilstein 5100/Toytec Eibach spring lift set up and your local as I'm right down the road.
BlackWorksInc
New member
Well if it is the XREAS system then that sounds about right price wise...
But you do realize that most OEM shocks/struts start to degrade around 50k (I'm not talking about leaking, I am talking about the internals wearing out)? These are NOT lifetime items, they wear out, typically gradually to the point that you don't feel like they are dangerous; but they are. The more a shock wears, the longer your stopping distance and greater your loss of stability.
But you do realize that most OEM shocks/struts start to degrade around 50k (I'm not talking about leaking, I am talking about the internals wearing out)? These are NOT lifetime items, they wear out, typically gradually to the point that you don't feel like they are dangerous; but they are. The more a shock wears, the longer your stopping distance and greater your loss of stability.
tamerunner
New member
"I bought a 40k plus car and I have to replace parts on it too, WTF. This is bull, I didn't spend this much money to then have to work on it eventually!"
Whiplash Willy
New member
While I agree it isn't reasonable to complain about stock shocks only lasting 70k miles, Toyota's Xreas and AVS shocks are retarded expensive. A rear AVS shock on the GX470 is $600 just for 1 shock. The standard tokico replacement is like $40...
nevada
Senior Member
ive been trying to tell these guys the same thing on various other threads. 75-80k would be standard replacement time. I generally get accused of something, trying to rip people off or whatever.
they don't realize how many cycles the shock goes through in 50,000 miles...
tamerunner
New member
I questioned whether to post that or not, but my inner smart ass would not let me pass it up. I was being sarcastic.And I also understand that stuff seems to be more expensive than it should. But this also goes hand in hand that everybody thinks their "40k plus" car should come with more and fancier stuff that they think it should have then do not want to pay to replace or fix on down the road. Just like the new track based GT350 Stang, it has magnetic suspension at all 4 corners and carbon fiber wheels, people love that stuff and want it bad on their car but then bi%$h to high heaven when they have to pay to replace or fix it down the road. Just like the XREAS, everybody loves it and how it rides and handles, but complain about having to replace it when it wears out. Specialty item, specialty price. It's not a standard shock, you don't get a standard shock price. I will probably get flamed for this, but whatever.
1engineer
Moderator
Why do you think I traded my '12 TE with KDSS for a '15 SR5? Simplicity is the key. Sure, I liked my KDSS equipped TE and I put 66K on it in two years. I knew that it would only be a matter of time (in my estimation around 80-90K) that they would need to be replaced. Guess what - My new SR5 handles just fine going around the curves lol. If I want to go faster I will get a WRX.
tamerunner
New member
Thank you. The voice of reason and understanding.
Ron4RNevada
New member
I've owned probably 40 cars and trucks over the past 60 years, most of them bought used, driven most of them for well over 100,000 miles and have actually bought TWO shock absorbers.
That was on a 1946 Dodge Club Coupe with about 200,000 miles and had gone through three engines.
Shocks are very tough, unless you drive like you're running the Baja 1000.
That was on a 1946 Dodge Club Coupe with about 200,000 miles and had gone through three engines.
Shocks are very tough, unless you drive like you're running the Baja 1000.
Curly Jefferson
New member
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.
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1engineer
Moderator
Don't get the wrong impression. XREAS and KDSS are great suspension systems that offer improved ride and handling. Like any higher performance component (especially a wear component like shocks) they will cost more to replace and do not last longer than the regular component. If you want something special be prepared to pay for it up front and be prepared to pay a higher cost for maintenance down the road. No different than tires. You want a nice all season with a 70K warranty or do you want to pay twice as much for a Pirelli Cup tire with no warranty and great performance?
Jeremy556
New member
Shocks wouldn't be covered, anyway
diverscale
Member
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.
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.
Curly Jefferson
New member
True. But driving 33K miles per year might make me consider an extended warranty or consider purchasing something with a longer warranty.(Unless you like trading in every two years, which some people do)
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.
I have owned several Dodge Ram and Chevy/GMC Diesel vehicles and have become accustomed to the 5 year 100,000 powertrain warranty. I've always had good luck with getting items covered under warranty. It's been rare that I would have a problem with either of the two makes on anything major within 36,000 miles. It's a good feeling knowing that you are covered for 100K as 36,000 miles is really that much driving.
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Bad_Influence
New member
The reason Toyota only offers the standard 36 month warranty is because they don't have to include the 100k warranty to get your business. Someone who wants to buy a kia or a chrysler would be much less inclined to buy one without the 100K warranty (don't blame them). The reputation of Toyota (a great rep imo) allows Toyota to bypass this option as a typical Toyota customer isn't buying it for the warranty, they are are buying it because they trust Toyota's. Now if Toyota was struggling and falling behind in sales to their competitors, then I would expect longer warranty's to become a future option. Just my 2 cents.
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