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I took my 2005 Toyota Camry to the dealer for routine maintenance today, and they called me back saying my front control arm bushings are tearing out. The guy I talked to said one bushing has already torn out, and that I should have this repaired ASAP for $900, plus an alignment thereafter. The car has just over 50,000 miles on it, and I haven't had any major problems with it to date. Is this a common problem, in a Toyota with 50,000 miles on it, even if the roads where I live generally have a lot of potholes (which I avoid as much as possible when driving)? In addition, I'm told that my front outer brake pads are sticking, so the inner pads are wearing faster than the outer pads, and to repair this would be $320. They would also like to clean and adjust my back brakes for $66. I just recently moved, so this is the first time I've worked with this dealer before.
I am having the same issue with my 2004 Toyota Camry with 40,000 miles. I took it in for inspection and it can not pass due to the bushing being almost shot on the left front lower control arm. They told me the bushing can no longer be purchased by itself, and the control arm would cost $285. They also said the book says 7.5 hours of labor, but they would only charge me for 4.5 hours of labor ($370). I called the local toyota dealer and they quoted me $174 for the part and $700 for labor. I am not sure what to do, as this is almost unheard of for such a low mileage, newer Toyota.I am having the same issue with my 2004 Toyota Camry with 40,000 miles. I took it in for inspection and it can not pass due to the bushing being almost shot on the left front lower control arm. They told me the bushing can no longer be purchased by itself, and the control arm would cost $285. They also said the book says 7.5 hours of labor, but they would only charge me for 4.5 hours of labor ($370). I called the local toyota dealer and they quoted me $174 for the part and $700 for labor. I am not sure what to do, as this is almost unheard of for such a low mileage, newer Toyota.
AnonymousMay 11, 2009
I too have a front lower control arm and bushing problem on my 2004 Camry. I do have steering problems but cannot believe this would go on a 2004 Camry with 62,000 miles. They said I also need a back track bar because it broke. It is not a cheap repair. One dealership wanted $2160 to fix and another $1,000. This sounds like a problem with Toyota Camry's.I too have a front lower control arm and bushing problem on my 2004 Camry. I do have steering problems but cannot believe this would go on a 2004 Camry with 62,000 miles. They said I also need a back track bar because it broke. It is not a cheap repair. One dealership wanted $2160 to fix and another $1,000. This sounds like a problem with Toyota Camry's.
My 2004 Toyota with 60K miles needs both control arms replaced due to badly torn bushings(My mechanic freind showed them to me and said he has never seen this before). They can be changed without pulling the motor (there is 1 bolt that cannot be removed without doing this)if you remove the motor mounts and jack the engine a bit but not easy. Cut the bolts holding the lower motor mount a bit shorter to make the job easier next time.. The bushings can be bought online for about 40$ each.My 2004 Toyota with 60K miles needs both control arms replaced due to badly torn bushings(My mechanic freind showed them to me and said he has never seen this before). They can be changed without pulling the motor (there is 1 bolt that cannot be removed without doing this)if you remove the motor mounts and jack the engine a bit but not easy. Cut the bolts holding the lower motor mount a bit shorter to make the job easier next time.. The bushings can be bought online for about 40$ each.
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You have a lot of issues. Let me take each on one by one...
Front control arm bushings: In a word, unbelievable. Maybe on a 1991 Camry, but not an 05 with 50 K miles. Nope. I would have to see it to believe it. I have YET to change any on any Camry 2000 and up. They simply do not fail. They might "look" bad, but I seriously doubt that they are bad. I have answered a question identical to this previously here at FixYA, and I had the golden opportunity to examine the exact vehicle in question, the owner and I were within 50 miles of each other. Same story, same diagnosis. She didn't need the repair, either. Besides, if they WERE bad, you would have SEVERE control issues with the steering, and tire wear of epic proportions. If you have neither of those 2 mentioned issues, you don't need the replacements. Save your money.
Regarding the front brakes: The pads "sticking" in the brackets is unfortunately a common problem. The pads rust a bit, and they seize, and uneven wear is a normal result of the pads being "stuck". Personally, I think 320 dollars is a lot of money to just change the pads...The parts are like 53 dollars, and the labor is about an hour. I charge approx 145 dollars to replace ft pads, and I charge 20 bucks to clean and adjust the rear brakes. Best advice: Go find another dealership. This one wants to rob you.
I have seen the torn bushings on my 2004 Camry with 60K miles and they are loose. Removing the control arm is tricky as you have to remove the motor mounts and lower mount bracket and jack the motor 1". The bushings are obtainable separatly online.I have seen the torn bushings on my 2004 Camry with 60K miles and they are loose. Removing the control arm is tricky as you have to remove the motor mounts and lower mount bracket and jack the motor 1". The bushings are obtainable separatly online.
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First,as you travel over a rough road that causes the rattle apply the brakes slightly,is the rattle gone now?If so it's loosely mounted brake pads and/or worn brake caliper mounting bolts/sliders.
Rattle still there with your foot on the brake?Then it's usually the sway bar links and/or sway bar bushings.
To check this sway bar noise,disconnect the sway bar links and tie the bar up/out of the way and try that same road.
No noise now? address sway bar bushings and/or links.
Still noise?Might be struts.
If someone tells you,.you have loose lower control arm bushings,have them show you the play in the bushings before you spend any $$$.
To properly replace control arm bushings the lower control arm has to come off the car and the bushings need to be pressed out and the new ones pressed in. If you don't have accesss to a press, it's probably best to let them do it. That sounds like a pretty reasonable price to do both sides. Hope this helps.
most of the time the bushings are so hard and tight they neeed to be put in using a hydraulic press, requiring them to be removed from the vehicle. they may not cause any symptoms in your steering but they may squeak and/or eventually break loose which, during travel, is very unsafe. i advise to get them changed
I've been working at a Toyota dealership for a long time and I have never seen lower control arm bushings wear out at 50k..or 100k for that matter, unless the car had been in a major accident. If they were bad you would have heard a lot of clunking noises driving over bumps and turning. I think you should find another dealer and get a second opinion.
Aside from the bushings, the remainder sounds like semi-valid "busy work"... If you are at all mechanical, you can do the entire job far cheaper than the dealer is going to charge you....Pads...tops $40, clean and lube slides 10 minutes while you are there, Clean rear brakes...pretty much unnecessary but do it if you want (they have self adjusters) Bushings...If available individually, not more than $50... if on complete arms, likely about $350-400.. Bushings are pretty much "bull work" but you have to know what you are doing to get them out and back in without damaging arm.Most of what they are quoting is labor time. good luck
You have a lot of issues. Let me take each on one by one...
Front control arm bushings: In a word, unbelievable.
Maybe on a 1991 Camry, but not an 05 with 50 K miles. Nope. I would have to see it to believe it. I have YET to change any on any Camry 2000 and up. They simply do not fail. They might "look" bad, but I seriously doubt that they are bad. I have answered a question identical to this previously here at FixYA, and I had the golden opportunity to examine the exact vehicle in question, the owner and I were within 50 miles of each other. Same story, same diagnosis. She didn't need the repair, either. Besides, if they WERE bad, you would have SEVERE control issues with the steering, and tire wear of epic proportions. If you have neither of those 2 mentioned issues, you don't need the replacements.
Save your money.
Regarding the front brakes: The pads "sticking" in the brackets is unfortunately a common problem. The pads rust a bit, and they seize, and uneven wear is a normal result of the pads being "stuck". Personally, I think 320 dollars is a lot of money to just change the pads...The parts are like 53 dollars, and the labor is about an hour. I charge approx 145 dollars to replace ft pads, and I charge 20 bucks to clean and adjust the rear brakes.
Best advice: Go find another dealership. This one wants to rob you.
Personally, I would def get a 2nd opinion. To date, I have NEVER changed any lower control arms on an 02 Camry for wear; collision damage, yes, but not wear.... And, at 65K miles, I would think it rare for BOTH to fail at this stage in the life of the car. Lower control arms are easily checked. Try this: Take a passenger with you to a safe place, like a big parking lot. Have the passenger exit the vehicle and have him/her stand alongside of the vehicle. Back up 5-10 feet. Pull forward slow, have you passenger stare at the front wheel. Brake the car. Repeat. If the lower control arms are GOOD, the wheel will NOT look like they "move" backward when braking. The only thing that can go wrong with the lower arms is the bushings may wear, and, when braking, the car will move forward on the loose bushings, and give you the appearance that the front wheel(s) will move slightly. In any case, take the car to a professional. $1,500 dollars is a lot of cash for a vehicle that prob does NOT need lower arms. PLUS, the lower arms are roughly $250-$275 apiece (Toyota part numbers 48068-33030 & 48069-33030; call your dealer for the exact prices, just give him the previous 2 part numbers), and, your mechanic...he is going to charge you a thousand dollars for labour?????? For 2 flat rate hours per side to change? PLEASE...Kick this guy to the curb. Even if it DID need the arms, he is simply robbing you. My price, IF it needed them, would be 900.00 + tax.
I am having the same issue with my 2004 Toyota Camry with 40,000 miles. I took it in for inspection and it can not pass due to the bushing being almost shot on the left front lower control arm. They told me the bushing can no longer be purchased by itself, and the control arm would cost $285. They also said the book says 7.5 hours of labor, but they would only charge me for 4.5 hours of labor ($370). I called the local toyota dealer and they quoted me $174 for the part and $700 for labor. I am not sure what to do, as this is almost unheard of for such a low mileage, newer Toyota.
I too have a front lower control arm and bushing problem on my 2004 Camry. I do have steering problems but cannot believe this would go on a 2004 Camry with 62,000 miles. They said I also need a back track bar because it broke. It is not a cheap repair. One dealership wanted $2160 to fix and another $1,000. This sounds like a problem with Toyota Camry's.
My 2004 Toyota with 60K miles needs both control arms replaced due to badly torn bushings(My mechanic freind showed them to me and said he has never seen this before). They can be changed without pulling the motor (there is 1 bolt that cannot be removed without doing this)if you remove the motor mounts and jack the engine a bit but not easy. Cut the bolts holding the lower motor mount a bit shorter to make the job easier next time.. The bushings can be bought online for about 40$ each.
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