Shocks leaking on 2004 SE model

[wcarrington]

Hi, I need help with a car repair question. Honestly, I've never been to this forum until I found it in a google search, so any help is appreciated. Have a 2004 Sport Edition with 47000 miles. No off-roading, just basic city driving. I actually have two issues:

I noticed a vibration coming from the car whenever I step on the brakes. The steering wheel doesn't vibrate, it's more of the brake vibrating whenever I stop. It happens often enough, but not every single time though. Sometimes the vibration becomes more pronounced than other times.

I've taken it to the dealership and they have resurfaced the front rotors and also replaced the front brake pads. However, it still hasn't fixed the issue.

The dealership, while fixing the brakes, also told me that they have found that the shocks are leaking. They said with the "new technology" on these cars, there is no way to replace just one shock that is leaking, but I have to replace ALL the shocks at a cost of $2500.

I've done a little bit of research and looks like my car has some kind of XREAS suspension that is complicated and that's why it costs so much to replace the shocks. I am just wondering why I would have this problem at 47000 miles already. The dealership also told me that even though they have replaced the brake pads and the rotors, the vibrations might still be occuring due to the problem with the shocks?

Anyone else have this issue or insight to this problem?? Just wondering if I'm getting smoked. Thanks for the help!

 

[Uneek]

Check and make sure wheels are torqued evenly and to spec, 83 ft-lbs.

X-REAS is a costly system to replace. Some have removed the system entirely from their 4Runners. Others have reported upgraded to coilovers makes the ride and handling as good as, if not better than X-REAS. IIRC, the system itself is $1600, the $2500 is probably with labor? Look around the forum here and other sites, there could be people who have removed them and are selling it. Also, check your warranty and see if the system is consider a part of the powertrain, if so, you have 5yrs/60k miles for warranty.

X-REAS is standard on Sport Editions, optional on Limiteds.

 

[charlier180]

I noticed a vibration coming from the car whenever I step on the brakes. The steering wheel doesn't vibrate, it's more of the brake vibrating whenever I stop. It happens often enough, but not every single time though. Sometimes the vibration becomes more pronounced than other times.

I've taken it to the dealership and they have resurfaced the front rotors and also replaced the front brake pads. However, it still hasn't fixed the issue.

Did the dealership check your rear brake rotors and pads?
Makes one wonder if they might be the source of your vibration problem?

Sorry to hear that fixing your XREAS suspension is so expensive.
That is one option I had reservations about getting for this very reason.
Nice feature to have but it's long term reliability and maintenance costs made question if it was right for me.
Given the cost involved for the suspension repair, you might consider getting a second opinion from a different dealership as to the problem and it's cost to repair.

 

[wcarrington]

thanks for the replies. yes the $2500 for the new shocks does include labor, thankfully.

as far as the vibrations when i brake, i had them look at the rear brake pads and rotors as well, and they said they don't see anything wrong it. i had the tires rebalanaced as well to try to fix the problem, but the vibrations continue.

i actually took the car to two different dealerships within one week to try to fix the brake issue. one dealer said my front rotors were warped and i needed new front brake pads (although i just got them replaced less than a year ago!). they quoted me $500+ (including labor) to replace that, a new battery, and an air filter. this dealership didn't mention anything about my shocks leaking.

so i took it to the dealership that replaced my brake pads a year ago, and they said my rotors weren't warped and my brake pads were ok, the rotors just need resurfacing. they're the ones that told me that my shocks were leaking though and to get it replaced.

just a little frustratiing - i know nothing about engines so i'm basically at their mercy. add to the fact that i'm a woman, maybe they see me as an easy mark.

 

[wcarrington]

An update on my situation:
After calling corporate Toyota headquarters to verify what I had been told by the dealership that I had to replace all 4 of my XREAS shocks since one of them was leaking, I was told that I did not have to replace all four of them, just the one that was leaking. I was told it IS possible to not have to do a replacement on all 4.

Corporate Toyota called the dealership, the guest relations person at the dealership said sorry for the trouble and offered me a 20% discount.

Suspicious about their activities, I went to another Toyota dealership and specifically asked them to look at my shocks to see if it was leaking. They looked at it and said there wasn't any problem with my shocks.

So I will be calling Corporate Toyota again to complain about the first dealership's business practices. It is really disappointing to know that they would stoop to that level just to get more income. For those of you in the Dallas area, beware of the Toyota dealership in the Richardson area. They have some shady business practices.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

It sucks you got caught by dealership #1, it's very nice to hear the 47k mile T4R doesn't need shocks :bigok: If you told me you lived on the Alaskan highway I would think well, that makes sense but Dallas? I know you have potholes and whatever but it's no NYC