question about service?

[commandofernando]

I had a question about service?. My grandmother rook her 1997 avalon to a dealership to diagnose a noise comming from the front end of the car. The dealership had the car for three days. Everyday she got a phone call regarding the noise. the dealership said that she needed a new timing chain, water pump, all four struts. The vehicle has 80,000 miles on it. She had the struts replaced in 2005 with an after market brand. The dealership told her that she needed all four struts replaced because they were not toyota's brand. she ended up paying out around $4200.00 for services that i think is totaly boguas. Im a mechanic in the army, and before that i graduated Universal technical instatute in 2005. Correct me if im wrong but, you should not have to have your timming chain replaced for the life of the vehicle.With her car having 80,000 miles i doubt she needed a new timming chain. She is an 80 year old women that hardley uses her car. I could see the water pump going out thats about it. As for the struts, I have never heard such a rediculous excuse. If anyone knows anything reguarding service intervuals please let me know. Thanks

[TrailDust]

90,000 miles would be the time to change the timing belt on a '97 Avalon. Timing belts do not last the life of a vehicle, and do need to be changed at recommended mileage points depending on the vehicle.

As for the struts and other charges you feel are bogus, I'd call around to other Toyota service centers and independent shops to get a rundown of what they think was necessary and the prices they'd charge. Write that information down. If the other service center's opinions indicate bogus work was performed then confront the service manager. If you get no satisfaction, then go to the general manager of the dealership. If you still get no satisfaction then go for the nuclear option, which is to contact your state's Attorney General's office and file a consumer complaint (which most states will do). Action (at least here in California) is swift and effective. Best of luck.

TrailDust