Need help: dealer recommending $1100 in repairs

[jsarche]

Hi everybody,
I'm mostly just a lurker here, but I find myself needing some help and advice. This past weekend, I brought my 2004 Sport Edition in to a dealer whose service department I trust for a routine oil change/tire rotation type of service. When I got the car back, the service adviser gave me a sheet of paper saying my CV boots are leaking and need to be replaced; the power steering fluid needs to be flushed, and that my rear brakes are down to about 4/32 or 5/32 and should be serviced soon.

I have about 95,000 miles on my T4R, and have kept it maintained well since I bought it. I am planning two road trips in June. Both are fairly modest -- one about 300 miles round-trip and the other about double that.

I didn't get a chance to ask the adviser this, so I need your guys' advice: Is this work I should get done before those road trips, or can I safely wait?

Thanks in advance,
Jon

 

[zachb_NW]

Yes this work needs to be done. Just don't do it a the dealer if you don't want to pay that much! If you trust the dealer then do it there, but you will be paying a premium. call a few places and see how much they will charge for the service. Brakes are supper easy to change if you want to do it yourself. CV's I personal would have someone do but you can do it yourself as well. I don't know how to flush the PS fluid.

edit: As Sparky said replace the whole axle I think that is typically whats done. I have watched my mechanic friend do it on a few of my vehicles and it takes him about 10 mins to swap out the axle. But you can drive with leaking boots for a long time. If you here any click noises while turning then its really time to get them replaced.

 

[S p a r k y]

I wouldnt worry too much about power steering fluid. Brakes you can do yourself, very easy. As far as boots, i would have those done for sure, as far as before your trips, take a look under and see how bad they are. Definataly need to be done, just may not be very serious YET. I did the boots myself on my T4R. for $150 more you can buy new axles and just replace the whole setup, without getting greasy and nasty. To me that was much easier as I have had to do this before on other vehicle.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Those all seem like reasonable service recommendations, though I'm a little suspicious as the dealer should be measuring tires in 32nds and brakes in mm. Most of those services can be done in your garage or at a shop. Just be careful on the kind of replacement boots you use if you don't replace the axles.

Honestly, the only benefit of doing it at a dealer is going to be parts and warranty, but imo that's not always enough to justify the premium. Look for OEM parts and set a weekend side or take it to a trusted local shop.

 

[cabowally]

Pep Boy's will do the CV boots for 1/3rd of what the dealer wants. Just check to make sure the area is clean of grease when you leave and then check them when you get home to be sure they clamped them down properly.

I do the power steering flush myself. Very easy using the simple method from this link. Be sure to crank the wheel full left and right a couple of times each reload. Gets the fluid flowing faster.

Doug's Domain :: DIY Power Steering Flush

Your pads are fine. At 4/32's they are .125 in. The manual says the min thickness is 1mm or .039 in.

 

[JB.]

the service adviser gave me a sheet of paper saying my CV boots are leaking and need to be replaced;

It's probably the outer band on the inner boot. You can stop the leak right away by wrapping the end with silicone tape. It's more than a temporary fix. I'll call it semi-permanent. If you haven't lost too much grease, the boots and joint could last a long time.