XREAS Leaky Struts - Dealer quote too hight?

[Rick2b]

Am I getting bamboozled?

I have a 2008 Limited 2WD 4.0 V6 and was recently told by a mechanic that my front struts were leaking. He said it would be just over $500 to replace. He called me back a little later and said they had hydraulic cables coming off the struts and he didn’t know what he was looking at and wouldn’t be able to work on it.

After a little research, I found out that I have XREAS. I called the Toyota dealership to see what they could do and they said I would have to replace the whole system, due to the connections (Front Right to Rear Left and Front Left to Rear Right).

He quoted me at $2,790 for parts and $1,500 for labor. Is he crazy?

I asked about replacing the XREAS with conventional shocks and he said he didn’t think I could, because it would jack up the electrical system. I told him I had done some research on this forum and that I thought the system was all mechanical. He said he’d look into it.

Any advice?

 

[Morphyne]

My advice is talk to someone who knows what they are talking about. I don't know about the price bc I have no idea all that is involved with xreas but I can say that if you have some mechanical know how you can rip out the xreas system and install a traditional suspension for way less than that. Bilson shocks are $400. All you have to do is go to rock auto and get a price on moog springs.

For the price the dealer is trying to quote you you could install an icon stage 1 and save money if you did it yourself.

 

[T4RVB]

Yeah the person you talked to has no idea what they are talking about. XREAS has nothing to do with the electrical system. I would suggest replacing ur XREAS with belistein 5100. There are write ups on the forum that guides you through the process its pretty simple.

 

[DT04R]

Am I getting bamboozled?

I have a 2008 Limited 2WD 4.0 V6 and was recently told by a mechanic that my front struts were leaking. He said it would be just over $500 to replace. He called me back a little later and said they had hydraulic cables coming off the struts and he didn’t know what he was looking at and wouldn’t be able to work on it.

After a little research, I found out that I have XREAS. I called the Toyota dealership to see what they could do and they said I would have to replace the whole system, due to the connections (Front Right to Rear Left and Front Left to Rear Right).

He quoted me at $2,790 for parts and $1,500 for labor. Is he crazy?

I asked about replacing the XREAS with conventional shocks and he said he didn’t think I could, because it would jack up the electrical system. I told him I had done some research on this forum and that I thought the system was all mechanical. He said he’d look into it.

Any advice?

XREAS isn't tied into the electrical system, so that's complete misinformation.

We have an '08 Limited (V8/AWD), with XREAS, the front struts are blown out. The OEM parts are insanely expensive, though that price you quoted _still_ seems high.

Anyway, you can easily remove the XREAS system completely, it won't affect anything - other than you won't have a suspension

I'm yanking mine out, the spring, shocks, all the hydraulics and I'm going with Bilstein 5100s and FJ Cruiser OEM springs (optionally with a rear spacer). If you do some research you'll see that's a super popular option, that's cost effective and actually improves the vehicle (plus no more expensive, proprietary OEM setup).

< $400 for the shocks, $200-ish or less for a set of clean, low mileage springs.

 

[Rick2b]

I appreciate the quick responses. I'm not mechanically inclined enough to do any of this myself, but I'm going to start looking for a place in San Diego that know what they're doing. Thanks again.

 

[DT04R]

I appreciate the quick responses. I'm not mechanically inclined enough to do any of this myself, but I'm going to start looking for a place in San Diego that know what they're doing. Thanks again.

Just about any competent shop can do this, the XREAS system is specific to Toyota, but once they pull it out, then you're looking at a traditional spring/strut setup.

There's a few specifics/cautions about working with it, but I think that's mostly for repair (not losing fluid/charge), I think if you're pulling it out, you can just let it rip, but there's a few threads here about removing, that would be worth printing out and taking to a shop.

 

[doubleduece]

After 180k on my 04 I ripped my xreas off and put on a toytec ulimate lift, and I couldnt be happier. It rides better and looks better. Scrap the xreas!!!!!!


You could do a stage 2 icon for that price...

 

[Morphyne]

Do you have any desire to lift it? If not you are looking at about $600 in parts from rock auto. Any competent shop doing shocks can so this. Even a corp shop like firestone or meineke. Any tire shock that sells shocks. If you want it lifted. Do some reading. Lots of options. But for the price the dealer quoted you you could get a really nice lift.

 

[MPLS88]

Thanks to the info on this forum I just ripped out my xreas and put in Bilstein 5100s all the way around. I just did this less than a week ago. My new to me 2006 had two leaky front xreas shocks. I got the Bilsteins online for less than $350 shipped (or something like that).

I had no prior experience working with suspensions, but there is tons of good info on here.

I kept everything else stock. Used the coils that where already on my t4r. Just took out the xreas shocks, drained xreas, and took out the xreas shocks and threw them in the trash.

It rides and handles great. I couldn't be happier.

 

[Jeremy556]

Your vehicle doesn't have struts. Replace the shocks with Bilstein 5100s or similar.

 

[HiVel-JR]

After 180k on my 04 I ripped my xreas off and put on a toytec ulimate lift, and I couldnt be happier. It rides better and looks better. Scrap the xreas!!!!!!


You could do a stage 2 icon for that price...

YES!!!! I totally agree!!!

I actually used the dealership quote to get my wife to approve (love you babe) an ICON stage 2 kit. Metal Tech folks know their stuff. Spent a long time researching this, years actually....

Guy on the phone said if anyone gives you lip about spending 2K on a lift kit, tell them to get in and ride with you.

I am taking XREAS off and putting the stage 2 on very soon!!!

 

[Staceman]

How I did mine.

Your X-REAS shocks probably look like mine did ;-)

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/151395-i-finally-got-scrap-x-reas.html#post1489976




.

 

[rooost]

My advice is talk to someone who knows what they are talking about. I don't know about the price bc I have no idea all that is involved with xreas but I can say that if you have some mechanical know how you can rip out the xreas system and install a traditional suspension for way less than that. Bilson shocks are $400. All you have to do is go to rock auto and get a price on moog springs.

For the price the dealer is trying to quote you you could install an icon stage 1 and save money if you did it yourself.

Sure he knows what he is talking about, he is talking about talking to someone that still takes their car to a dealer ! Those days are long gone and anyone that participates in such activities pretty much gets what they deserve....for that piece of mind of being ripped off by the experts. I think we need a hardcore forum, where one must submit pictures of dirty hands to be admitted

 

[Lolrax]

X-Reas just costs a fortune to replace. Guys have been quoted in and around 2500 for the job and parts so this isn't totally out of the ordinary. Get some Bilstein 5100s and move on. I found the ride to be better any ways!

 

[CookieRoe]

Sure he knows what he is talking about, he is talking about talking to someone that still takes their car to a dealer ! Those days are long gone and anyone that participates in such activities pretty much gets what they deserve....for that piece of mind of being ripped off by the experts. I think we need a hardcore forum, where one must submit pictures of dirty hands to be admitted

FALSE, just b/c some of us take our rig to the dealer for big jobs doesn't mean we deserve to get fleeced. People who get ripped typically don't know JACK about their cars, but that doesn't mean they deserve it. I don't get swindled by dealers b/c I know my truck/cars like the back of my hand. Having that said, I knew XREAS was mad expensive but it was worth it to me to have all 4 shocks replaced. I don't care for going offroading (those days are LONG behind me) and I certainly don't want a rock hard ride (billies). I have yet to see an aftermarket shock that performs like XREAS does.

 

[rooost]

FALSE, just b/c some of us take our rig to the dealer for big jobs doesn't mean we deserve to get fleeced. People who get ripped typically don't know JACK about their cars, but that doesn't mean they deserve it. I don't get swindled by dealers b/c I know my truck/cars like the back of my hand. Having that said, I knew XREAS was mad expensive but it was worth it to me to have all 4 shocks replaced. I don't care for going offroading (those days are LONG behind me) and I certainly don't want a rock hard ride (billies). I have yet to see an aftermarket shock that performs like XREAS does.

Whats that hourly rate over there? How about the markup on the parts? There is nothing the dealer offers that is exclusive, the information is available, the parts are available (at a discount, usually)..

 

[CookieRoe]

Whats that hourly rate over there? How about the markup on the parts? There is nothing the dealer offers that is exclusive, the information is available, the parts are available (at a discount, usually)..

Time, my friend, time. I don't have the time to take it to a mechanic I don't know. The work is "guaranteed" so to speak at a Toyota dealer. When it's a big job, I usually ask for a discounted rate. Still think I deserved to get fleeced? Fine, I giving work to an american (most likely) mechanic, to a dealer, parts department, etc etc......so, .. I'm contributing and making money for Toyota and its' employees. Yeah, sounds like a bad thing........

 

[SluiceboxSlim]

After 180k on my 04 I ripped my xreas off and put on a toytec ulimate lift, and I couldnt be happier. It rides better and looks better. Scrap the xreas!!!!!!





You could do a stage 2 icon for that price...

This!

For around $2400, you could Icon Stage 2 W/ MetalTech rear springs, and have a beautiful setup, or go as another suggested with the Toytec system for much less.

If you're not doing this yourself, get ready to spend a lot at your mechanics.

I'd say it's time to meet some of your SoCal brothers on the forum who may be able to help, and be prepared to buy some good beer.

About 3 months ago, I took out my XREAS, and put the Icon in. It wasn't too hard, but I had an excellent source of help from a buddy on my initial spacer lift. The info is out there on how to remove and install..but I get how it could be intimidating...not hard, though!

Good luck!

 

[shahsmerdis]

subscribed, looking for options on my xreas good to keep up with this thread

 

[HiVel-JR]

This!

For around $2400, you could Icon Stage 2 W/ MetalTech rear springs, and have a beautiful setup, or go as another suggested with the Toytec system for much less.

If you're not doing this yourself, get ready to spend a lot at your mechanics.

I'd say it's time to meet some of your SoCal brothers on the forum who may be able to help, and be prepared to buy some good beer.

About 3 months ago, I took out my XREAS, and put the Icon in. It wasn't too hard, but I had an excellent source of help from a buddy on my initial spacer lift. The info is out there on how to remove and install..but I get how it could be intimidating...not hard, though!

Good luck!

So ready to ditch the XREAS - Oh, look what showed up in my driveway tonight.