Note model/year differences!
Like the original poster, I too have just been informed that my 2004 Sienna XLE has separating control arm bushings and that they need replacing...to the tune of $1045, including alignment afterwards.
However, spurred by the postings here, I did a little research - calling my local repair place and getting a bit more info. Apparently, the bushings on the 2004 Sienna cannot be replaced by themselves; the entire control arm has to be replaced. This has made it easier for dealers (less time to install) but tougher on consumers, as the control arms are quite expensive. This situation is true of a number of the newer models (last 8 or 9 years) of Toyotas but NOT all of them. I suspect that the situation with the Siennas changed in 2004 with the new model; in some models the change occurred as far back as 1999, while others can still have the bushings alone replaced. (I think he mentioned the Avalon as an example of that) My local repair place could have done the repair for me, but as the control arms must be ordered from Toyota, there would not have been any savings, as most of the cost was in the part, rather than the labor.
BTW - I've looked online for third party control arms for the 2004 Sienna to no avail - though there are some "recycled" ones on eBay for those of you who like to take chances.
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