Reasonable Cost to Replace Front Upper & Lower Control Arms?
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Reasonable Cost to Replace Front Upper & Lower Control Arms?
Is $5,500 a reasonable price to replace front upper & lower control arms? I drive an LS 460 with 95,000 miles on it. Thanks in advance for your advice.
#2
Lexus Fanatic
No, it is a total rip off but that is what is going to happen every time you take your Lexus to the dealership. Once you are out of warranty, avoid the dealerships as much as you can. How many control arms need replacing? Go aftermarket and order them and then call around at independent shops to see how much they charge to replace them.
#3
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People seem to swear by the Rock Auto ones... I think all the parts are around $600-700 and a smaller shop will charge $300-600 to install. So under $1500 compared to the dealer... Do some searching here, lots of topics on this subject.
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It's a 2008. Probably worth about $10,000 as a trade-in. That's why I question spending $5,500 on new control arms. Unfortunately, my husband isn't handy, and the only time we used an independent repair shop instead of a dealer, we think we got ripped off. The mechanic told us he had installed new control arms (charged us around $2,000), but the dealer told us the guy had installed only a new strut (struts?). Unfortunately, people like us who aren't handy with cars are at the mercy of dealers who charge too much or independents who may not be honest. Aaaaaarrgh! .
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It's a 2008. Probably worth about $10,000 as a trade-in. That's why I question spending $5,500 on new control arms. Unfortunately, my husband isn't handy, and the only time we used an independent repair shop instead of a dealer, we think we got ripped off. The mechanic told us he had installed new control arms (charged us around $2,000), but the dealer told us the guy had installed only a new strut (struts?). Unfortunately, people like us who aren't handy with cars are at the mercy of dealers who charge too much or independents who may not be honest. Aaaaaarrgh! .
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#8
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It's a 2008. Probably worth about $10,000 as a trade-in. That's why I question spending $5,500 on new control arms. Unfortunately, my husband isn't handy, and the only time we used an independent repair shop instead of a dealer, we think we got ripped off. The mechanic told us he had installed new control arms (charged us around $2,000), but the dealer told us the guy had installed only a new strut (struts?). Unfortunately, people like us who aren't handy with cars are at the mercy of dealers who charge too much or independents who may not be honest. Aaaaaarrgh! .
Just because your husband is not that handy does not mean in your case he still should not try to learn how to do it and give it a shot. Is it really worth losing over $7000(2000 for original repair then another $5500 the Lexus dealership is going to rip you off for.) for him not to bother learning how to do it himself and getting some basic tools?
#9
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Just because your husband is not that handy does not mean in your case he still should not try to learn how to do it and give it a shot. Is it really worth losing over $7000(2000 for original repair then another $5500 the Lexus dealership is going to rip you off for.) for him not to bother learning how to do it himself and getting some basic tools?
I think the best solution is look for a Toyota is Lexus specialist in the area that could do it for a reasonable price.
Karen, let us know what city you are in and maybe someone can suggest a couple of decent shops..
#10
Lexus Fanatic
Uhhhhhhh... we are not talking air filter change here, lol. No one is going to go from not knowing how to DIY to control arm replacements. I’ve change plenty of suspension parts including control arms, and I wouldn’t do it myself.
I think the best solution is look for a Toyota is Lexus specialist in the area that could do it for a reasonable price.
Karen, let us know what city you are in and maybe someone can suggest a couple of decent shops..
I agree, can you get any sort of referrals from friends or family about shops? Yelp?
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We live in the western suburbs of Chicago. A friend of ours who is good with things mechanical (cars, motorcycles, etc.) has recommended Lang's Auto Service in Downers Grove. Lang's Yelp ratings are to die for. So we're going to try them. Will let you know what they advise. Many thanks!
#12
Lexus Fanatic
Yeah bro
That is a lot of money on a car that is not even worth that much anymore to waste on shops that are obviously ripping them off/not doing the work to not even try to watch some videos, read some manuals and try to see if you could possibly do it yourself with aftermarket parts saving a ton of money. Yes it will be a PIA and this should not be such a common issue on a car that should have been properly engineered. Changing suspension parts can be surprisingly easy to a frustrating PIA but most of it is not impossible for people willing to buy some tools and learn how to do it even if you are not that handy. It is not like it is a engine/transmission removal/teardown that I don't think I would want to try and it is not like it is just a few hundred dollars out of their pocket, it is likely a significant portion of their income/savings.
I am not the most handiest person, never took a shop class, never took any classes in automotive or electronics yet by following some simple instructions which are everywhere online I have learned to change oil, trans fluid, brake pads, discs, brake fluid, hood struts, change motor mounts, change suspension pieces, paint body panels, change accessory belts, change pulley's, etc. I have also learned to take my entire laptop apart to change out motherboards, cpu, etc, change/piggyback harddrives in desktops, clean/disassemble carburetors, install after market speakers in my car, replace hoses and lines in a weedwacker, re blue a rifle that had rusted, assemble a AR15 lower all of which I had zero experience or knowledge of doing and seemed like a daunting task at first, I had issues along the way, some infuriating but got it done. I had no natural ability to do any of those things, they were all done with simple tools and a simple set of instructions and just giving it a shot.
That is a lot of money on a car that is not even worth that much anymore to waste on shops that are obviously ripping them off/not doing the work to not even try to watch some videos, read some manuals and try to see if you could possibly do it yourself with aftermarket parts saving a ton of money. Yes it will be a PIA and this should not be such a common issue on a car that should have been properly engineered. Changing suspension parts can be surprisingly easy to a frustrating PIA but most of it is not impossible for people willing to buy some tools and learn how to do it even if you are not that handy. It is not like it is a engine/transmission removal/teardown that I don't think I would want to try and it is not like it is just a few hundred dollars out of their pocket, it is likely a significant portion of their income/savings.
I am not the most handiest person, never took a shop class, never took any classes in automotive or electronics yet by following some simple instructions which are everywhere online I have learned to change oil, trans fluid, brake pads, discs, brake fluid, hood struts, change motor mounts, change suspension pieces, paint body panels, change accessory belts, change pulley's, etc. I have also learned to take my entire laptop apart to change out motherboards, cpu, etc, change/piggyback harddrives in desktops, clean/disassemble carburetors, install after market speakers in my car, replace hoses and lines in a weedwacker, re blue a rifle that had rusted, assemble a AR15 lower all of which I had zero experience or knowledge of doing and seemed like a daunting task at first, I had issues along the way, some infuriating but got it done. I had no natural ability to do any of those things, they were all done with simple tools and a simple set of instructions and just giving it a shot.
#13
Lexus Fanatic
Not everybody has the time or inclination to do DIY work on their vehicle.
Time is money, and your time is worth a certain amount of money.
Time is money, and your time is worth a certain amount of money.
#14
Lexus Fanatic
Then that is the big question, is the time to DIY, which is probably a couple hours to a weekend going to be worth over $5500 in repairs if they get it done at the Lexus dealership or risking getting done at shop they don't know/trust, they already got burned once.
#15
Lexus Fanatic
Even at my poorest, I never would have done a repair like this myself.
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