Heybuddy

I recently had my Lexus safetied. The bill with taxes came to $2110. They replaced the struts (kept the springs) and one shock absorber. Then had to do a wheel alignment. Some detailing was also done. Does this bill seem reasonable? I live in Winnipeg, MB, Canada

MellonC00

shouldn't they have given you a good faith estimate before charging you??? take a pick of your invoice and share. Seems a bit high to me.

m5rahul

Heybuddy

zmel

In the Reply section, click on the Paper clip (on the top right) - that is where you can attach the pic.

Clutchless

You always need an alignment after replacing struts. However, I cannot believe, given the minimal additional cost, that they did not replace the other rear shock absorber. What year and how many miles on the vehicle.

ukrkoz

1. Toyota struts do not influence alignment as they are dead bolted to the knuckle. There is no way to camber on those, otherwise, tie rod ends are not changed, so toe in stays the same. UNLESS strut bolts were worn out and replaced with new ones, camber stays same. If they were to reuse worn out strut bolts, camber will be off and they should have used camber bolts instead. Resume: Toyota struts do not influence alignment as there is not provision for camber and toe in/out is not changed.
2. $2110? Complete strut from Monroe or Strut Plus from KYB is about $150-170 each. COMPLETE. Everything NEW. It takes about 30 min to replace strut, if not less, as there is really nothing to it in well equipped shop. Dealership charges $120 or so per labor unit. 170x2+120= 460 front struts. I know nothing about rear shock, but I am safely assuming, as it's 2 bolt job, that it is actually easier to replace, so say - another 30 min plus shock cost, or $100 or so.
As Lexus rides on KYB or Tokiko struts, those are commercially available online. Monroe/KYB does NOT differentiate between Highlander and Lexus strut, I had direct response from them, it's same part.
Do your math, how much dealer had you for premium nameplate job.