Front axle replacement

metaoblivia

I drive a 2007 Toyota Yaris. I took it for its scheduled maintenance today and the guys informed me that both front axles had been torn and would need to be replaced. I had no idea - haven't noticed anything or heard anything unusual from my car. I have an appointment with the Toyota dealership tomorrow to get it checked out more thoroughly.

I'm hoping that my warranty (factory and 7 years or 100,00 miles) will cover the repairs as it's quite expensive to replace both front axles (front axle warranty is 5-6 years/60,000 - both of which my car is well under). However, I'm afraid that the dealership might try to blame it on an accident I had early this year. Someone rear ended me and my car was in the shop for a while, getting repairs. The mechanic told that he checked everything from the back to the front just to be sure. The other person's insurance covered it all, of course, as the accident was their fault.

Is it possible that my front axles were torn from the accident and the mechanic missed them? Should I mention this when I bring my car in tomorrow?

Thanks for any advice!

Seth Brundle

If your mechanic told you that your "front axles" are fubared then I'd consider changing mechanic!
What axle warranty are you referring to?

I presume that some form of suspension component or else your driveshafts are gone - you will need to clarify.

metaoblivia

I think it's the front axle boots (? I'm sorry, I don't know very much about cars) - the acorddian shaped things - that are torn. They said it would allow dirt and grime in which would eventually cause the axle to stop rotating and that I might hear a grinding noise when the dirt begins to build up. I haven't heard anything unusual though.

The axle warranty I'm refering to is the Toyota factory warranty I got when I purchased the car - they cover axle repairs on vehicles that are less than 5 years old or have under 60,000 miles on them.

The cost for just the parts is $600 for each, so I'm looking at a hefty bill if they decide - for some reason - to not honor my warranty.

Seth Brundle

Sounds like you mean the CV joint boots.
It sounds like they want to relace the entire CV joint but IIRC the rubber can be replaced without replacing the entire unit. Is the garage the made the diagnosis the same place that you are going to tomorrow?
Is this the same place that did the repairs following the accident (as they should be able to stand over them)?
Anyway, six hundred quid for each is a complete and utter rip off!

metaoblivia

Yes, I think they want to replace the entire CV joint, which is why it's so expensive. I'm going to a different place tomorrow - the Toyota dealership. I'm hoping that because I haven't heard any unusual noises, that it's still early and I'll only have to replace the rubber. The people I took my vehicle today, I only have them do my oil changes and tire rotations. I don't think they examined it very closely, they just noticed that the joint boots were torn and assumed the entire joint would have to be replaced.

I used another mechanic for the accident repairs because the insurance company of the driver who hit me had a list. However, that mechanic had a very good reputation and stands behind all of his work (he doesn't do regular work like oil changes; he specializes in body work).

Edited to add that the Toyota dealership shop (which also specializes in restoring and repairing foreign cars, interestingly) has told me they want at least an hour and a half to examine my car tomorrow. Does it really take that long?

Seth Brundle

It may take Toyota that long to get around to it but it is a 5 minute job. They should not really charge you for it or at least not charge you much.
I think that you will need to become assertive with them. Before you hand over the keys, ask them what it will cost. If they say anything over €20 then walk away IMO.
Also examine your warranty info to see if this is covered (if there is anything at all wrong with the gaiters).

I'm inclined to think that you were been taken for a ride by the first mechanic (are you female?)

Oh and as for the insurance company and their 'list', FYI, they can't force that upon you! Not that it matters now but you could have told them to shove it!


edit: you're hot!

metaoblivia

Hey just wanted to say thanks! Took it to Toyota today and after waiting for two hours, they told me that just the CV joint boots needed to be replaced, not the entire axle joint, and that my warranty covered it. So next Saturday they'll have my car for about half a day while they fit the new parts.
Thanks for your help! I felt much more secure kind of knowing what was going on!

Midnight_EG

metaoblivia wrote: »

Hey just wanted to say thanks! Took it to Toyota today and after waiting for two hours, they told me that just the CV joint boots needed to be replaced, not the entire axle joint, and that my warranty covered it. So next Saturday they'll have my car for about half a day while they fit the new parts.
Thanks for your help! I felt much more secure kind of knowing what was going on!

Half a day for a potentially 10 minute job :O



And, yes, you're damn hot

slimjimmc

Midnight_EG wrote: »

Half a day for a potentially 10 minute job :O

10 mins if they they use those split boots, however since it's a Toyota main dealer replacing the part under warranty presumably they'll be using a genuine Toyota gaitor. In which case I expect they'll undo the suspension, remove the drive shaft, separate and clean the CV joint to do the job properly. Even if they try stretch the boot over the CV joint they still have to separate the drive shaft from the the hub.

Nonoperational

Good result!