zapola6

Good afternoon,

So I saw an oil spot on the driveway, looked underneath and I had oil about half way back on the right side, took it to the Toy Doctor and they stated it was the transmission axel seal at the transmission. Said Fix it.... Went to pick it up and they stated that the seal did not fix it and that TSB L-SB-0036-10 would have to be performed.... Not much information on this one out there can anybody help..... $1650 plus tax..... Ouch.... Stated the transmission had to be removed....

Can anybody give me some insight into this one...

Thanks

2004 RX330

stevesxm

i would do two things...

first... call lexus client services and ask them what that service bulletin is and if its a warranty item

second... get a second opinion.

ericg

here is a link for your TSB.

http://www.revbase.com/BBBMotor/Tsb/...leSearch=False

Eric

zapola6

Just a follow-up: The seal was leaking as described in the TSB.

I did take the advice given and did get the second opinion from the dealer, I also contacted Lexus Corporate for assistance with the cost of the repair, they provided none Which I understood as the car was 8 years old with 113K.

I just wanted to vent with my real issue - The service bulletin stated the repair would take 10.7 hours. When the Dealer quoted $2300 for the repair, they quoted 17 plus hours for labor. I asked why the difference in hours from the TSB and the dealer quote, the dealer stated and I quote "The hours stated on the TSB is what Lexus will pay at a discount rate if the repair was done under warranty. The quoted labor hours (17 plus) is what the consumer will pay due to the repair not being covered under warranty".

I found this hard to swallow among other things and called Lexus Corporate again and asked for an explanation. After several calls the above was confirmed by Lexus Corporate. After voicing my dis-pleasure that thier known defect (caused by I'm guessing a 1st year engineer) costing me several hundred dollars more to repair than the manufacture. The best that Lexus Corporate or 2 different dealers could do was offer me a 10 to 15% discount for the repair.

Mind you that I could find the same coupon on the dealers web site.

My solution, I took the RX 330 to an independent here in Denver that specializes in Toyota and Lexus. The repair was completed for $800 less than the dealer with the same warranty. The repair was completed by a professional that had spent 20 plus years with a local Lexus dealer.

Not only did they replace the seal per the TSB, they also replaced the rear engine seal, front transmission seal and resealed the transfer case. The dealer did not even suggest that this preventive maintenance be done while the transmission was out.

Moral of my story, just don't shake you head up and down at the dealer and agree with everything they say, there are other professionals out there that are just as professional and just as capable. I will be hard pressed to go back to the dealer for non-warranty work.

Thanks for the advice