control Arm replacement... $750!!!

[basmoq]

Well, I just tried and failed to do the control arms on my 05 3.0L Camry... I couldn't lift the engine high enough to get the engine mounts out of the way and killed a whole day trying... the dealer wants 8.8 hours of labor to do the thing... $750!!! What the heck was Toyota thinking putting the engine mount over the control arm bolt? I can't believe the bushing's are shot with only 68K miles on the car. Anyone else experience such issues?

[Pawel062]

go to another shop instead of toyota. if not find a friend with a lift.

[gdanaher]

Some things need to be done by a dealer. Some jobs can be done by the neighborhood shop and often done well and much less expensively. If you felt you could do this job, the local mechanic can likely do it as well, and even if it takes 8 hours, the rate will be lower. Just try to triage the work to see what goes to the dealer, the local mecvhanic, or done by yourself.

[my.rims.are.stock]

You can even rent a lift from some places. Or a chain hoist and a tree :-P

[mcgill_redmen]

What's the symptom of an worn out control arm? Is the ride more bouncy and unstable?
Since your car is an 05 with 68k isn't still under warranty under powertrain parts? Since that an major parts.

[njerald]

Originally Posted by mcgill_redmen

Since your car is an 05 with 68k isn't still under warranty under powertrain parts? Since that an major parts.

HA!!!! Time for you to read a warranty...........

[Redline_Me]

Difference in labor cost between dealer and local shop is usually about 30 bucks. Could be even 40 buck.

[titleist]

double nut the upper stud on the engine mount and it will come out, then remove mount. you can do this. i will talk you through it if you need more help.

[titleist]

this is the most common thing with toyotas. it includes highlanders, camrys, siennas. it honestly takes about 30 to 45 minutes a side to do with the right hand tools, a hoist and a jackstand. very straight forward job. we used to charge 6 hours to do both sides. 8.8 hours is absolutely ridiculous. talk to a couple smaller shops if you don't want to do it yourself and see if you can just pay them by the hour. the control arms you will have to buy from the dealer though. if you want i can talk you through it step by step. i have done alot of these at the dealership.

[warpedrotor]

Was it the dealer that convinced you to change them inthe first place? They tried with me, the put the car on the lift so the front wheels are hanging, then show you the rear bushing on the control arms; the rubber inserts appears to be separating from there socket, but put the car down with the weight back on the wheels then put a pry bar between the control arm and it's bracket; Give it a little tug, is there movement? Mine has very little, the car drives straight and true, tires show even wear. Figure I'll change them when they start to rattle.

[titleist]

all you will hear when they are completely separated is a click sound when accelerating and decelerating.

[warpedrotor]

Good to know, and I'll take you up on the step by step offer when they really come loose; are you from Newcastle New Brunswick by any chance?

[njerald]

Wait until the water pump on the GEN6 V6 needs to be replaced.

You'll really hear the howls then............

[warpedrotor]

And you will love every minute of it.. At least there is some room around the 4 cylinder to work and no timing belt to change. I just worked on an old F150, I was in heaven.

[RipCord]

Same thing here. Sent the car in to the dealer for an oil change and they said, and I quote "requires replacement front lower control arms (separated) $1510.12+taxes installed". Time for a new dealer.

05 Camry with 25,000 miles - two months off ext warranty.