Frustrated...Rant Time

[pbcolt]

So my day was lovely.

I have had enough of this "clunking" noise when I turn and was worried it might be my LBJ's, so for fear of a LBJ failure, I went out to my local NAPA.

$162 later I had my LBJ's and took them to a local Toyota 4x4 shop owned by a friend of a friend. He quoted me $120 for labor to install and I agreed. I don't have a jack in SLO and I need to leave town Saturday to head back to San Diego to start my Summer job on Monday.

4:45 rolls around and my girlfriend drops me off at the shop. The owner tells me that he did not install my LBJ's, but instead installed new steering rack bushings. He said he could see the steering rack moving around like crazy, and deduced this was the problem. Because he said the problem was solved, I paid him for that instead ($180). It took me less than a half hour of driving to find out the clunking problem was not solved.

Needing an alignment I drive to a tire store just for them to call me a half hour later telling me my TRE's need replacing to the tune of $300. Didn't do that as the shop was closing.

So here I am, already out $160 for LBJ's NOT INSTALLED, $180 for a steering rack fix that admittedly tightened my steering, but did nothing for my clunking issue, and the need for $300 Tie Rod Ends and $50 for an alignment. FML!!!

 

[tmaxx13]

man you have had a hell of a day! im glad my runner hasnt let me down yet! I would tell your friend to tell his friend to get that his ***t straighten out and get that fixed for you

 

[smallfry]

I know how you feel. I just went though the same thing with my 4runner.

 

[pbcolt]

I know how you feel. I just went though the same thing with my 4runner.

what ended up fixing it for you?

 

[C C]

At least now you know you have a new steering rack? maybe?

 

[smallfry]

New lower ball joints and bushings for LCA. Streeing rack and bushings and tie rods where replaced last year.

 

[pbcolt]

At least now you know you have a new steering rack? maybe?

haha, at least that's good for something!

New lower ball joints and bushings for LCA. Streeing rack and bushings and tie rods where replaced last year.

Tomorrow I am going to try and go back in and get a deal for install of LBJ's and the Tie Rod Ends.

 

[Volley]

You should be able to get a deal as doing them together makes for a pretty smooth job. I'd go back to the shop for a deal since they didn't install them for you like you asked them to do in the first place.

 

[pbcolt]

I tell ya what, this is one great guy. He is installing my LBJ's at no labor cost, and gave me a discount on the TRE's for a total of $159. He is even taking it to his recommended tire store (he verbally destroyed the one I went to yesterday), and getting it aligned for me. Can't expect much better service then that.

If anyone in SLO needs Toyota work, Erickson Automotive is the place to go. He had good intentions when he did the first fix, and when that didn't work, went above and beyond to make it right.

 

[Satter]

What does LBJ and TRE stand for?

 

[drinknmolson]

go to the auto parts store and get some tie rod ends, I think they are like $60 I changed mine in a lowe's parking lot. I did have the steering rack issue and it's worth the $, but if you are talking about front tie rod ends it's literally 4 bolts and if your lifted or skinny you don't even need a jack or ramps.

 

[pbcolt]

What does LBJ and TRE stand for?

Lower Ball Joints and Tie Rod Ends

go to the auto parts store and get some tie rod ends, I think they are like $60 I changed mine in a lowe's parking lot. I did have the steering rack issue and it's worth the $, but if you are talking about front tie rod ends it's literally 4 bolts and if your lifted or skinny you don't even need a jack or ramps.

Normally I would definitely be on the same page as you, but I am in a crunch for time. I have finals today and need to hit the road tomorrow. I do like to do whatever I can on my own truck, but needing to take it to a shop, I'm glad I chose this one.

 

[IanB]

Glad to hear that worked out for you, sounds like your truck should ride like new for your drive home!

 

[JohnsD90]

Change the LCA bushings i went through this same clunking crap with the jetta, the bushings went after 30k miles. Made the worst clunking noise when i would turn left, i changed the LBJ's and it did nothing, did the struts and nothing, finally decided to look at the fairly new LCA bushings and they were destroyed, i changed them out and put entirely new LCA's on and the car got tight again and now the wheel strays straight and no clunking!

 

[Hepar]

I tell ya what, this is one great guy. He is installing my LBJ's at no labor cost, and gave me a discount on the TRE's for a total of $159. He is even taking it to his recommended tire store (he verbally destroyed the one I went to yesterday), and getting it aligned for me. Can't expect much better service then that.

If anyone in SLO needs Toyota work, Erickson Automotive is the place to go. He had good intentions when he did the first fix, and when that didn't work, went above and beyond to make it right.

I tell ya I love to hear stories like this. Especially in a time when it's so much the exception than the rule.

 

[pbcolt]

Change the LCA bushings...

Thanks John, I had him take a look at them for me.

I tell ya I love to hear stories like this. Especially in a time when it's so much the exception than the rule.

You hit the nail on the head. He just called me 5 minutes ago to suggest he just do the Inner TRE's and get it aligned to see if the clunk goes away. Again, his reason was to try and save me money by returning the LBJ's because mine show no play whatsoever. I told him I was leaving tomorrow and his response was, when I come back at the end of summer and if I still want the LBJ's done, he will still do them at no labor cost.