AK470911

How would one know if it's time to repack the wheel bearings? My dealer says because it's a 1998, it's time to repack. Personally don't know if it's a precautionary thing or a dealer thing. My LX still drives nearly as good as when I bought it, but what are the dangers if I let it ride longer without a repack?

RobRed

Every 15k miles or 12 months is the factory maintenance window for Fronts.

Toys4RJill

I don't think repacking of front bearings is needed. Its not in the service manual if I recall.

RobRed

It's needed.

And its in the maintenance guide page 90 (from the 2001) also.

15000 miles or 12 months:

Wheel Bearing and Drive Shaft Bushing Grease
Repack the wheel bearings with wheel bearing grease and the front drive shaft bushings with molybdenum- disulfide lithium-base chassis grease. A qualified technician should perform these operations.

You can find this guide and ton of other LX info here http://forum.tlcfaq.com/viewforum.php?f=30

AK470911

Another Lexus dealer says it isn't necessary since the grease is still there around the bearings. Says when I start to hear grinding shriek then I should bring it in.

V8_Fan

If you don't repack, play develops in the bearings. You can test it by jacking up a front wheel and grab it at 12 and 6 o'clock and see if you can feel any hint of play. The FSM recommends the front bearings be repacked every 30K miles, but this assumes you drive the vehicle offroad. If you submerge the front hubs, you should repack immediately regardless of mileage. I originally repacked at 30K mi. Grease/bearings looked good. Then i increased it to 45K...still the same. Now I do 60K. For driving on US roads, unless you offroad a lot or have oversized tires, there's no reason to repack more frequently. 100K miles is, IMHO, too long. If you've gone 14 yrs, I'd redo them ASAP.

RobRed

When you hear them grind it's too late... time to REPLACE not repack. I would find another dealer or better yet a competent mechanic.

AK470911

I'm only asking because Lexus wants to charge me $980 per axle to repack and replace pads and rotors. I really don't understand why they feel this is fair, maybe because I'm a poor guy asking this question. Is it because the quality of work performed at a Lexus dealer justifies the price versus some other shop or even Toyota.

So in the end I took my LX to my Infiniti dealership where I service my G35 coupe. Same work but $550 per axle on my LX, performed luckily by a former Lexus tech. I stayed next to the car and watched the entire process.

RobRed

At an online discount the parts alone would run about $750 with new bearings. $2000 seems a bit steep but they are charging shop hourly rate. (prob $150hr). Take a look at this link to learn about whats getting done

http://tlcfaq.com/main/2012/07/ft-wh...rb-parts-list/

AK470911

Thanks for the link. You're very kind.

But for the job I got oem pads and rotors from Lexus and brought them to Infiniti. Pads were $79 each, rotors $164 each. Labor was $168. New set of shims front and rear $45 each. Originally Infiniti was going to charge me $229 labor but because I'm a preferred card customer at this dealer they gave me a discount (if there's such a thing anymore).

I know the process of this work is somewhat time consuming and complicated but Lexus was being ridiculous, and that didn't even involved a brake fluid flush either.

RobRed

I'm not sure you saw the video at the bottom of the link but it shows a brake service - the rotors are attached to the hub so there is a bit labor involved. Next time you could source rotors and pads from Sewell Lexus / or Toyota Parts zone at about half... I think I paid $81 each for the rotors.

AK470911

Thanks. I know the LC and LX are virtually the same but I've been clueless or afraid of getting parts from Toyota. Just like I've been afraid of going to Nissan to get 350Z parts for my G coupe. Again, another nearly identical set of cars. People tell me it's the same stuff, down to the oil filters but I've never dared.

For the LX, If you know the exact LC pads, rotors, oil and air filters, timing belts (there must be a list somewhere on this forum or online) that you can point me to, then my next major service will cost considerably less. Thanks.

RobRed

Same parts. The vehicle difference come into cosmetics.