Hi. I have a 2004 Sienna CE, 87,000km. Today it was diagnosed that the left front strut has failed. Dealership suggests replacing both struts at a cost of $1544 (before tax!). This includes an alignment.

Seems like a lot to me! Opinions?

Thanks!

Fred

Yes, it does sound like a lot. Get second and third opinions from other dealers or independent mechanics. You can buy your parts online from places like trdparts4u.com, have them delivered to you and have someone install them for you. Buying parts online can save you big $$$ as compared to buying them from your local dealer, and you don't usually have to pay taxes on the internet.

Thanks for the response! I have called an independent mechanic and gotten a quote of about $600.00 (all in Canadian dollars...).

I only got a glance at the detailed quote at the dealership; it listed all the parts and the work they were going to do. It looked like he was giving me a copy of this list, but when I looked later, they cleverly kept that detailed quote and only gave me the total price. Perhaps I am cynical but I suspect they didn't want me to have it for a close look/comparison pricing. It seemed to be a longish list (8-10 items) of things that needed to be replace. I wonder if they are replacing anything and everything around the strut...

I am mechanically ignorant. I wonder if there are things I *should* have replaced while the strut is being done (i.e. seals? other things?) given that the labour is being done anyway...

Thanks for your help!
Fred