Hello, all.
Happy Holidays.
2007 Toyota Camry
189 k miles.
I try to do all required maintenance. I have had the car since 170k and it was well taken care before I got it by our family member.

I recently changed battery after 4 years since the last change. My current battery change cost 173 (40$ for labor). I have been going to this mechanic for the last two years. I think he is honest. But I feel of late the numbers he is giving is a bit on the higher side.

I was recommended by a mechanic for the following:
1. Brake fluids : $150 (thought it was expensive)
2. Transmission fluid ($ 220). It appears from the past records I got the transmission fluids has not been touched ever. or at least I can not find any records of it. Now should I try and change it? The mechanic thinks changing the fluid now might cause issues in transmission! So he recommends not to change but keep it going with the old fluid.
3. Power Steering fluid : $90
4. Front CV boot leak (replacement, $700)
Are these costs reasonable from your experience?

I would love to take care of the car and keep it going to 250k at least.
Recommendations and suggestions are welcome.

Mechanics cost money, But if they did all the work properly and you can afford it or can't do it yourself that what you need to do. You can see all sorts of You Tube videos to learn how to do it.

Like I can get a Everstart battery from Walmart for 80 $ and spend an hour cleaning the terminal and the 3 grounds i found under the battery (The Everstart 2 year batteries I have got last a good long time.) That is why I like them so much. The last two I had were 9 years old when they went bad.

Brake fluid can be a little tricky, But using 2 people and about 1 hr and a few pints of DOT 3 saves money.

I did a trans fluid exchange on my 2010 Camry with 134,000 miles, Oddly I found it to be overfilled by 1- 1/2 qts. overfilled. When I did the level. So, someone before me did it wrong. The Toyota WS fluid was 80$ for the 8 qts used. But if you did a pan drain and added the exact same amount it might only be 2 qts and a little fresh fluid will help lube the trans. And do a level check, look at You Tube videos to see how. I did a complete exchange to remove all the fluid , even the 5 qts in the torque convertor.

On the power steering I use a turkey baster to take the fluid out of the reservoir and refill it with dextron 3 and do it several days in a row . That way you get some new fluid in and the new fluid and additives Like when you do a transmission. drain.

 

I have changed the brake fluid in my 04 every two years. I have Russell Speed Bleeders so I don't need help bleeding the system. I use Valvoline DOT 3/4 which is available from our local Advanced Auto store. Any brake fluid carrying the DOT 3 or 4 or 3/4 will work. Go for it

 

are they replacing the whole CV axle for 700$ or just repairing the boot?

how much $$$ are the parts for that?

 

As a do-it-yourself mechanic - yes those prices are outrageous. But, honestly, I would not know if those prices are competitive because those are all things I have done. Get second opinion at a different shop to compare prices.
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DIY prices, more or less:
1. Brake fluids : $7 for a couple of Dot 3, 12oz bottles, at Walmart. Maybe add $9 for a rubber hose for draining.
2. Transmission fluid: $18 for a gallon jug of Valvoline MaxLife ATF at Walmart - compatible with WS and Type-IV. Plus, add about $20 for an ATF filter. Do a drain/refill, not a flush.
3. Power Steering fluid : $10 for two quarts of ATF Dexron III at Walmart - yes, ATF is used in Toyota PS system. Use turkey baster mentioned above to remove fluid from reservoir.
4. Front CV boot leak. About $80 for a CV shaft for each side (Cardone Select). Plus $15 for trany seals, each (need one on each side). Replacing the CV shaft is more involved and more tools are needed but nothing really fancy. The passenger side CV shaft are known to be a PIA if the center bearing gets rusted. Three years ago, I only paid $55 for the passenger side shaft, plust $12 for the seal. Brand new shaft with new CV boots; I would not just replace the boots if you have the orignal CV shafts.

 

1. Brake fluids : $150 (thought it was expensive)
2. Transmission fluid ($ 220). It appears from the past records I got the transmission fluids has not been touched ever. or at least I can not find any records of it. Now should I try and change it? The mechanic thinks changing the fluid now might cause issues in transmission! So he recommends not to change but keep it going with the old fluid.
3. Power Steering fluid : $90
4. Front CV boot leak (replacement, $700)

1. too expensive. Brake fluid big bottle is about $11. Manual bleed/refill/bleed takes maybe 30 mins, but shops have a power bleeder. But 150?
2. Sure. No flush, agreed. It needs 3x drain fill each 1 after 100-500 mi drive to clean out in steps. Change is a must.
3. PS fluid, same. 90? Well ok fine
4. Same as others asked. Whole axle is 100 AF or 200 reman oem? But 700?

Do look up the DIY sticky thread and just browse through each one of these with pics. Just to see and gauge for yourself.
Agree with everything others mentioned.