Costly Repairs... is it worth it?

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Kewopdecam

New member
Okay, so my 2002 4Runner SR5 has been giving me issues with the ABS system and there was a leak in the rear driver side wheel. So I took it to a shop to find out what was going on and found out a bunch of issues that will total $1,450 in parts/labor. What's wrong exactly?

ABS Rear Speed Sensor needs changing which is why the ABS light comes on and off. That part alone is $360 according to the shop.

Then the leaky back tire requires new wheel bearing which means new axel bearings and wheel bearing retainer. Because it's been leaking all over the wheel that means I need new break pads, 100% break fluid exchange, and ect. The parts don't cost much alone, but add them up with labor, with the ABS issue and... *BAM* $1,450.

Is it even worth putting that much money into a car that isn't worth that much? I wanted the car to last me another year before I pulled the trigger on a new car, but I don't think it'll be able to last a year with these issues.

Any suggestions on what I should do?
 
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Kewopdecam said:
Okay, so my 2002 4Runner SR5 has been giving me issues with the ABS system and there was a leak in the rear driver side wheel. So I took it to a shop to find out what was going on and found out a bunch of issues that will total $1,450 in parts/labor. What's wrong exactly?

ABS Rear Speed Sensor needs changing which is why the ABS light comes on and off. That part alone is $360 according to the shop.

Then the leaky back tire requires new wheel bearing which means new axel bearings and wheel bearing retainer. Because it's been leaking all over the wheel that means I need new break pads, 100% break fluid exchange, and ect. The parts don't cost much alone, but add them up with labor, with the ABS issue and... *BAM* $1,450.

Is it even worth putting that much money into a car that isn't worth that much? I wanted the car to last me another year before I pulled the trigger on a new car, but I don't think it'll be able to last a year with these issues.

Any suggestions on what I should do?
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ABS is just that. Something to help you stop. Im sure there is a way to bypass it. I removed it from my Talon and its broken on my wifes expedition. The ABS light is on and it doesnt activate but thats it. The car will still work and function without the ABS. I would not spend that much to fix it unless I did the work myself.
 
It's not a terribly difficult DIY if you feel ambitious. Why 100% brake fluid exchange though? It's good maintenance but not required for your issues.

If you do unload it, hit me up. Might be interested in taking it as is.
 
Not environmentally friendly, but you could just add a couple quarts of oil every couple thousand miles, until you want to replace it. Or replace the car all together. Yes, not the best deal, but still drive able.

And not having ABS may be a blessing. It sucks.
 
I would never go by what a shop tells u on cost they will buy a part and charge u 30% or more inflation cost on the parts that u let them buy for you. and your real axel leaking i bet cause its just the inner seal cause the outer seal has nothing to do with it leaking. the seal cost about 10 bucks to buy and pretty simple to replace theres a right up on here or yotech fourms on how to do it. I dout u would need to replace bearings and outer seals this is just something they want to do to get more $'s out of u! Both sides on my runner leaked i replaced for both for like 21 bucks and no more leaks. You can jack the rear up and pick up and down on the wheel to see if it has any play in it which would be signs of the bearings going out. cause $1,450 is outragious for something so simple.

and the abs sensor is very simple to repalce just pop off your wheel and u will see the senors going into your alex shaft just unsure the 10mm screw and pull it out and unplug it where it plugs into the harnes and just replace it with the new one :) My bets are that when the axel started leaking it might has did something to the sensor like dirty it up or something.
 
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Wow, very quick and great replies!

JayRolla: Yea, I talked to another mechanic about it and he said don't fix it, but it makes the car act weird at times when I brake. Like, the brake petal gives this slight rapid kick back and the car makes weird noise that's hard to explain. When this happens the ABS light comes on and then it break acts fine and it turns off 15 minutes later. I swear it happens more in the rain, but it could be a coincidence.

PitbullRescuer I'm not sure about the 100 brake fluid exchange. It's just what they told me had to be done. I didn't think it made sense either. I'll try to keep up with this forum because I will be selling this car in the near future so I'll keep you updated.

awdjunkies Lets say I was going to replace it, which one in that link would I buy for the rear speed sensor issue?

tbst lol, well if the ABS system sucks I should ignore then. But do you think the ABS is what is causing my brakes to act funny from time to time? If so it might be worth fixing on annoyance factor alone

l3igl3ang Hmm, do you have a link to where I can buy this inner seal? I don't want to mistakenly buy one that's the wrong size/make. I agree the $1,450 sounded insane which is why I left and posted on this forum. Forum helped me out when I want to change 02 sensors and they wanted to charge me $450 to do something that took 5 minutes and like $60 to do, lol.

I really appreciate all the suggestions and help
 
Kewopdecam said:
Wow, very quick and great replies!

JayRolla: Yea, I talked to another mechanic about it and he said don't fix it, but it makes the car act weird at times when I brake. Like, the brake petal gives this slight rapid kick back and the car makes weird noise that's hard to explain. When this happens the ABS light comes on and then it break acts fine and it turns off 15 minutes later. I swear it happens more in the rain, but it could be a coincidence.

PitbullRescuer I'm not sure about the 100 brake fluid exchange. It's just what they told me had to be done. I didn't think it made sense either. I'll try to keep up with this forum because I will be selling this car in the near future so I'll keep you updated.

awdjunkies Lets say I was going to replace it, which one in that link would I buy for the rear speed sensor issue?

tbst lol, well if the ABS system sucks I should ignore then. But do you think the ABS is what is causing my brakes to act funny from time to time? If so it might be worth fixing on annoyance factor alone

l3igl3ang Hmm, do you have a link to where I can buy this inner seal? I don't want to mistakenly buy one that's the wrong size/make. I agree the $1,450 sounded insane which is why I left and posted on this forum. Forum helped me out when I want to change 02 sensors and they wanted to charge me $450 to do something that took 5 minutes and like $60 to do, lol.

I really appreciate all the suggestions and help
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That noise you hear is the ABS working. It happens more in rain because you slide easier in rain. Sounds liek the sensors are bad and they are prematurely activating. There has to be a way to bypass it so its just off all the time and wont affect your breaking. ABS can actually be more dangerous if you actually know how to drive a car in the snow.
 
o i got the seals at autozone or any parts house and just walk in tell them u need rear axel seals for a 02 4runner 4x4 and they will get them for u :)

also the abs makes it where u cant stop. i have had times where i hit a pot hole going pretty fast and when i hit the brakes it made a funny sounds and my break petal was jerking real bad and i was'nt even able to stop hardly at all luckly there wasnt no one in front of me. This happen in my limited 4runner as well as the 97 jimmy i use to own.
 
I say just take the hit. My truck has been costing $$$ lately, but at least I don't have another type of vehicle that is out of warranty. I live in an apartment and I saw a 2006 Impala and a 2006 Pathfinder out of commission with $4000 transmission repair bills.
 
Why not just shop another mechanic, i just had rear seals replaced and the ABS ring was $55 1996 SR5. Your price i paid for that and lot of other stuff including 4 Deuler tires at Firestone.
 
rangermenace said:
Why not just shop another mechanic, i just had rear seals replaced and the ABS ring was $55 1996 SR5. Your price i paid for that and lot of other stuff including 4 Deuler tires at Firestone.
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Yeah, some places will make **** up with no desire to get to the real issues with a vehicle.
 
Repair costs, especially using OEM parts, can get rather expensive quickly on these 3rd gen 4runners. Being a DIY shadetree mechanic helps to deflect the real cost of the repairs somewhat.

That said, the 4runner needs to be repaired, whether you want to take the hit now or when you sell it. I would get another estimate though before pulling out the plastic for this mechanic.
 
Maritimer said:
I say just take the hit. My truck has been costing $$$ lately, but at least I don't have another type of vehicle that is out of warranty. I live in an apartment and I saw a 2006 Impala and a 2006 Pathfinder out of commission with $4000 transmission repair bills.
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My wife has an '06 Pathfinder. Don't even get me started on them, biggest piece of sh*t we've ever owned.
 
I just ordered and received my Right Rear Speed Sensor and I'm having trouble finding some answers on where and how to replace. I have a 2002 Limited. Do I need to take the wheel off to replace or can it be done without removing wheel? Is it simple plug and play or do I need to rewire anything? Any help is appreciated.
 
People that own Toyota's are so spoiled. They are extremely reliable, so much so, that when issues actually come up they freak out. 1400 bucks is pretty typical for most vehicles when they come to a shop with a problem. It's just Toyota owners aren't used to it like other owners. Toyota owners are just used to oil changes and tire rotations. But after 150 to 200k, things need replaced. The thought that the vehicle isn't worth much is irrelevant. Whether the vehicle is worth 2000k or 15000k, when they break they both cost the same shop costs to repair. What also doesn't make sense is the reasoning that it needs repairs so I'll let it go and buy a new car. A new car will cost way more than 1400 bucks. In addition you will have higher insurance costs, and the new vehicle will loose tons of value every year. Where as a 4runner doesn't really loose much value. I vote fix the brakes, wheel bearings, and abs sensor along with any other issues the poor neglected sounding runner needs. Your 4runner then will continue to give you reliable transport on and offroad for many needs with regular maintenance and repairs at minimal cost compared to other vehicles.
 
Either DIY it, or just take the hit.

I'd say considering the hours of work, 1450 doesn't seem like an exorbitant amount for rear axle seals and sensors.

Replace that car with a new one, and 3 months of payments will take you over 1450. Replace it with a used one, and you'll easily pass that total in deferred maintenance. My 4Runner was a steal at 5500 and I've put in easily 2 grand for lower ball joints, front and rear suspension, tie rod ends, end links, and new tires, doing all the work myself, so that's just parts cost. Any used car will have things like that.

1450, as long as you don't have any rust or transmission or engine problems seems like a really small price to pay for so reliable a vehicle. Chalk it up to regular maintenance and move on.

EDIT: Lol, just figured out how old this is.
 
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White Stripe said:
People that own Toyota's are so spoiled. They are extremely reliable, so much so, that when issues actually come up they freak out. 1400 bucks is pretty typical for most vehicles when they come to a shop with a problem. It's just Toyota owners aren't used to it like other owners. Toyota owners are just used to oil changes and tire rotations. But after 150 to 200k, things need replaced. The thought that the vehicle isn't worth much is irrelevant. Whether the vehicle is worth 2000k or 15000k, when they break they both cost the same shop costs to repair. What also doesn't make sense is the reasoning that it needs repairs so I'll let it go and buy a new car. A new car will cost way more than 1400 bucks. In addition you will have higher insurance costs, and the new vehicle will loose tons of value every year. Where as a 4runner doesn't really loose much value. I vote fix the brakes, wheel bearings, and abs sensor along with any other issues the poor neglected sounding runner needs. Your 4runner then will continue to give you reliable transport on and offroad for many needs with regular maintenance and repairs at minimal cost compared to other vehicles.
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Your replying to a 4 year old question. Sure he figured it out.
 
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