Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

kyfdx

First guy seems cheap for what he’s proposing. Maybe, communication issue on replacing the sway bar? Go back and ask.

driver100

jmonroe1 said:

driver100 said:

Things are a little slow so here is my friend's dilemma;

After having the bushings replaced in the Avalon, we had a much quieter ride for at least 2 months. Now, the knocking is back. We took the car in and he wrote us up what it will need, links replaced at the ends of the two sway bars, replacing a sway bar, and an alternator belt, to the tune of $340. When we had it checked out at another garage, they told us that replacing the steel sway bar is nonsense, especially in Toyotas…….they never break! That will be the last time we will use the First Garage again. But, by the time Second Garage got through with his analysis the bill doubled to $ 650…..Ouch! We really don’t want to spend a lot of money on a 20-year-old car…..although…..it looks good, burns no oil, leaks no oil, rides smoothly, except the knocking when travelling over poor pavement…..bit of a dilemma! My wife would just be happy to sell the old crate, probably for peanuts, believing that we really don’t need the second car that often. But we do get get use out of it at times.

What would you do....it's a 2004 Avalon, not sure of the mileage? It looks like a new car and he keeps it spotless and does his own repairs. My novice answer was to try and find a garage that someone finds reliable and honest, and get a 3rd opinion. Basically, there are cars that can go 1 million miles if they are well maintained, and if he wants to keep it going he should be able to find a way to do it.

**by the way, a lot of kids were taught the word dilemma was spelled dilemna for some reason, and it is wrong.
https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/articles/dilemma-or-dilemna/

————————————————
There is nothing better than recommendations from folks that have been satisfied dealing with a garage for years.

You said your friend does his own repair work and there is nothing wrong with that. However, working on a cars suspension system takes quite a bit of yanking on large wrenches. I don’t know how old you friend is but having done that a few times when I was a lot younger, I wouldn’t want to try that today. Just my 2 cents worth on that.

jmonroe

Good point, he just turned 80. He's done oil changes, brakes (about his limit), and other odd things -probably a good basic home mechanic.

driver100

kyfdx said:

First guy seems cheap for what he’s proposing. Maybe, communication issue on replacing the sway bar? Go back and ask.

Sounds like that could be worth a try. That garage is usually his go to guy....usually cheap and does a good job.

oldfarmer50

explorerx4 said:

Didn't happen to see Champ when crossing the lake did you?

No but on the way up we passed through Whitehall NY and there were signs everywhere claiming that Sasquatch was living there.😊

oldfarmer50

driver100 said:

Things are a little slow so here is my friend's dilemma;

After having the bushings replaced in the Avalon, we had a much quieter ride for at least 2 months. Now, the knocking is back. We took the car in and he wrote us up what it will need, links replaced at the ends of the two sway bars, replacing a sway bar, and an alternator belt, to the tune of $340. When we had it checked out at another garage, they told us that replacing the steel sway bar is nonsense, especially in Toyotas…….they never break! That will be the last time we will use the First Garage again. But, by the time Second Garage got through with his analysis the bill doubled to $ 650…..Ouch! We really don’t want to spend a lot of money on a 20-year-old car…..although…..it looks good, burns no oil, leaks no oil, rides smoothly, except the knocking when travelling over poor pavement…..bit of a dilemma! My wife would just be happy to sell the old crate, probably for peanuts, believing that we really don’t need the second car that often. But we do get get use out of it at times.

What would you do....it's a 2004 Avalon, not sure of the mileage? It looks like a new car and he keeps it spotless and does his own repairs. My novice answer was to try and find a garage that someone finds reliable and honest, and get a 3rd opinion. Basically, there are cars that can go 1 million miles if they are well maintained, and if he wants to keep it going he should be able to find a way to do it.

**by the way, a lot of kids were taught the word dilemma was spelled dilemna for some reason, and it is wrong.
https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/articles/dilemma-or-dilemna/

Sway bar links make sense, I’ve had them go around 90k miles but the sway bar itself? I can’t see that ever needing replacement unless it got physically damaged somehow.

If the first guy is willing to do all the work for $340 I’d let him do it even if he puts in a new sway bar. How can you lose?

Has your friend considered it might be worn out struts that are knocking?

driver100

oldfarmer50 said:

driver100 said:

Things are a little slow so here is my friend's dilemma;

After having the bushings replaced in the Avalon, we had a much quieter ride for at least 2 months. Now, the knocking is back. We took the car in and he wrote us up what it will need, links replaced at the ends of the two sway bars, replacing a sway bar, and an alternator belt, to the tune of $340. When we had it checked out at another garage, they told us that replacing the steel sway bar is nonsense, especially in Toyotas…….they never break! That will be the last time we will use the First Garage again. But, by the time Second Garage got through with his analysis the bill doubled to $ 650…..Ouch! We really don’t want to spend a lot of money on a 20-year-old car…..although…..it looks good, burns no oil, leaks no oil, rides smoothly, except the knocking when travelling over poor pavement…..bit of a dilemma! My wife would just be happy to sell the old crate, probably for peanuts, believing that we really don’t need the second car that often. But we do get get use out of it at times.

What would you do....it's a 2004 Avalon, not sure of the mileage? It looks like a new car and he keeps it spotless and does his own repairs. My novice answer was to try and find a garage that someone finds reliable and honest, and get a 3rd opinion. Basically, there are cars that can go 1 million miles if they are well maintained, and if he wants to keep it going he should be able to find a way to do it.

**by the way, a lot of kids were taught the word dilemma was spelled dilemna for some reason, and it is wrong.
https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/articles/dilemma-or-dilemna/

Sway bar links make sense, I’ve had them go around 90k miles but the sway bar itself? I can’t see that ever needing replacement unless it got physically damaged somehow.

If the first guy is willing to do all the work for $340 I’d let him do it even if he puts in a new sway bar. How can you lose?

Has your friend considered it might be worn out struts that are knocking?

Great, makes sense, I will let him know.

roadburner

If I were sentenced to drive a 20 year-old Camry I would prefer that it make a LOT of noise- to help keep me from falling asleep behind the wheel.

driver100

Some people drive what they can afford to drive
They live on pensions, own a nice home, got their kids through university, and are good hard working people that keep their 20 year old car running.

imidazol97

Sway bars are likely to have noises from worn rubber on the links at the ends. But they also are held to the car chassis usually in two places near the ends of the straight part and those points are isolated in rubber. That rubber can wear or age and let the sway bar hit the chassis mount point. To determine which it might be on this car, someone would have to be driving it and thinking about how things move during suspension movements in turns or entering driveways.

The wheels are held in place with arms that let them move and are isolated with rubber as well at their pivot points. Those car wear and let metal hit metal. That happened on my Cobalt. Replaced both sides and car drove much better because the play in that rubber-isolated point was removed.

Replacing a sway bar rather than servicing the rubber parts may lead to change in driving and ride feel especially if the bar is not OEM.

sda

Worn struts and strut bearings make clunking noises when they are worn out.

explorerx4

No image available, but front link assembly is about $140 US.
https://autoparts.toyota.com/products/product/link-assy-fr-stabilizer-4882006030

tjc78

It’s 20 years old. If it drives ok and doesn’t shake or wobble leave it alone

stickguy

I would fix them. If they are moving around that much possible that something could let go at speed. And that would be bad.

kyfdx

$340 for four sway bar links and an alternator belt is a deal. Not sure why you went elsewhere, when this is his guy?

driver100

Thanks for your expert input guys, I have copied and passed all of them on to the Avalon Owner.

kyfdx

Replaced the fill valve on my American Standard toilet, today. $20 part. Saved $230 over calling a plumber. It's a tool-free repair, fortunately.

mjfloyd1

@kyfdx said:
Replaced the fill valve on my American Standard toilet, today. $20 part. Saved $230 over calling a plumber. It's a tool-free repair, fortunately.

Hopefully you are no longer FOS😂

snakeweasel

@driver100 said:
Things are a little slow so here is my friend's dilemma;

After having the bushings replaced in the Avalon, we had a much quieter ride for at least 2 months. Now, the knocking is back. We took the car in and he wrote us up what it will need, links replaced at the ends of the two sway bars, replacing a sway bar, and an alternator belt, to the tune of $340. When we had it checked out at another garage, they told us that replacing the steel sway bar is nonsense, especially in Toyotas…….they never break! That will be the last time we will use the First Garage again. But, by the time Second Garage got through with his analysis the bill doubled to $ 650…..Ouch! We really don’t want to spend a lot of money on a 20-year-old car…..although…..it looks good, burns no oil, leaks no oil, rides smoothly, except the knocking when travelling over poor pavement…..bit of a dilemma! My wife would just be happy to sell the old crate, probably for peanuts, believing that we really don’t need the second car that often. But we do get get use out of it at times.

What would you do....it's a 2004 Avalon, not sure of the mileage? It looks like a new car and he keeps it spotless and does his own repairs. My novice answer was to try and find a garage that someone finds reliable and honest, and get a 3rd opinion. Basically, there are cars that can go 1 million miles if they are well maintained, and if he wants to keep it going he should be able to find a way to do it.

**by the way, a lot of kids were taught the word dilemma was spelled dilemna for some reason, and it is wrong.
https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/articles/dilemma-or-dilemna/

I would get another quote. Now unless you are putting on a lot of money into it a few hundred now and again is much less than a down payment on a new car and 5 years of car payments. Especially if the car runs and is reliable. As for needing it as a second car it can't hurt to have it just incase, you never know what the future holds.

driver100

sda said:

Worn struts and strut bearings make clunking noises when they are worn out.

I just found out he replaced all 4 struts....but that did not solve the problem.

imidazol97

driver100 said:

sda said:

Worn struts and strut bearings make clunking noises when they are worn out.

I just found out he replaced all 4 struts....but that did not solve the problem.

I almost put it with my first post: your friend likely would be money ahead to pay to have the car checked at a quality Toyota garage. They will find the problem quickly because they've seen it before on other Avalon/Camry vehicles. Your friend can have done what he wants and have another garage do more expensive repair/replacements later or never.

When my Cobalt 08 was out of warranty, it started having knocking on turning into a business driveway with a dip and an upslope. It had done this miles earlier and the Chevy store replaced parts under my extended warranty. This time it was A-arm bushings, the pivot point for the arm that holes the ball joint and the bottom of the strut. So I had them replace both, since an alignment was needed either way. I killed two stones with one bird.

jmonroe1

kyfdx said:

Replaced the fill valve on my American Standard toilet, today. $20 part. Saved $230 over calling a plumber. It's a tool-free repair, fortunately.

————————————————
I’m sure that made you feel good. I just replaced the one in the bath off our bedroom in early August after returning from vacation. Since I’ve replaced more of those than I can count I was thinking about doing it blindfolded but I didn’t.

Just curious but did you get the upgraded model that allows you to adjust the bowl water level? Those are nice. I’ll never by the standard model again.

jmonroe

driver100

@imidazol97
I'll pass that info along to him. I think everything is worth considering, especially if you experienced a similar problem. I like the idea of a Toyota dealer looking at it, though the car is probably older than most of the mechanics.

imidazol97

jmonroe1 said:

kyfdx said:

Replaced the fill valve on my American Standard toilet, today. $20 part. Saved $230 over calling a plumber. It's a tool-free repair, fortunately.

————————————————
I’m sure that made you feel good. I just replaced the one in the bath off our bedroom in early August after returning from vacation. Since I’ve replaced more of those than I can count I was thinking about doing it blindfolded but I didn’t.

Just curious but did you get the upgraded model that allows you to adjust the bowl water level? Those are nice. I’ll never by the standard model again.

jmonroe

X2 on the adjustable fill rate for the bowl water. It's water efficient to add just enough to bring bowl up to level without running extra through, wasting that extra.

Fill valves have become high tech these days. LOL

kyfdx

jmonroe1 said:

kyfdx said:

Replaced the fill valve on my American Standard toilet, today. $20 part. Saved $230 over calling a plumber. It's a tool-free repair, fortunately.

————————————————
I’m sure that made you feel good. I just replaced the one in the bath off our bedroom in early August after returning from vacation. Since I’ve replaced more of those than I can count I was thinking about doing it blindfolded but I didn’t.

Just curious but did you get the upgraded model that allows you to adjust the bowl water level? Those are nice. I’ll never by the standard model again.

jmonroe

@imidazol97

I did get that one (400H). I was just going to get the seal (about $5 at Ace Hardware), but it was $19 for the whole thing. If it didn't work, I'd have to make another trip, and be out the $5. So, bought the replacement valve. Swapped out the seal, first, but that didn't fix it, so put the seal back, and swapped for the new valve.

I really hate taking out anything that goes through the bottom of the tank, but one 7 minute video on YouTube convinced me it was easy.

The standard setting on the new one gave me the same level as previously in the bowl, so no adjustment needed.

No leaks, and now no whistling from the fill valve.

driver100

You'll be glad to know the Pfeister is still working like a charm;

tjc78

For those that don’t follow CCBA, I picked up a new Mercedes for my wife yesterday.

Driver don’t be too excited… it’s all electric.

kyfdx

driver100 said:

You'll be glad to know the Pfeister is still working like a charm;

Is the Pfeister for your keister?

jmonroe1

driver100 said:

You'll be glad to know the Pfeister is still working like a charm;

————————————————
Quite different. Do they provide a link on how to approach that thing?

jmonroe

jmonroe1

kyfdx said:

jmonroe1 said:

kyfdx said:

Replaced the fill valve on my American Standard toilet, today. $20 part. Saved $230 over calling a plumber. It's a tool-free repair, fortunately.

————————————————
I’m sure that made you feel good. I just replaced the one in the bath off our bedroom in early August after returning from vacation. Since I’ve replaced more of those than I can count I was thinking about doing it blindfolded but I didn’t.

Just curious but did you get the upgraded model that allows you to adjust the bowl water level? Those are nice. I’ll never by the standard model again.

jmonroe

@imidazol97

I did get that one (400H). I was just going to get the seal (about $5 at Ace Hardware), but it was $19 for the whole thing. If it didn't work, I'd have to make another trip, and be out the $5. So, bought the replacement valve. Swapped out the seal, first, but that didn't fix it, so put the seal back, and swapped for the new valve.

I really hate taking out anything that goes through the bottom of the tank, but one 7 minute video on YouTube convinced me it was easy.

The standard setting on the new one gave me the same level as previously in the bowl, so no adjustment needed.

No leaks, and now no whistling from the fill valve.

————————————————-
That video probably wasted 6 minutes of your life but as long as you’re happy.

jmonroe

driver100

@kyfdx
One could say that!
@tjc78
It looks pretty nice from what I can tell. What model is that so I can see a picture from the side? I am not totally against electric, if it suits your needs go for it!

Also, does anyone remember the gullwing doors on Teslas? (90 sec)
https://youtu.be/aBtKSTW5CD8

tjc78

It is an EQE 350 4 Matic Exclusive

driver100

@tjc78
So kind of like this;




If that is it, then it looks great. My friends are mostly 60+ and though they know the future is electric, about 75% of them aren't ready to switch over yet. I'd say mileage anxiety and learning something new are the biggest problems. But, if you know it will suit your driving needs then it is an amazing vehicle.......and looks beautiful.

Don't forget to add it to your signature, and which one is coming off?

stickguy

sedan version of that one.

qbrozen

@jmonroe1 said:
————————————————
Quite different. Do they provide a link on how to approach that thing?

jmonroe

From the front is usually a good plan.

stickguy

up and down day on the skip the guy front. I noticed Friday looking out the window at my truck that the antennae on the roof was missing (the shark fin was there, but the regular radio mast was MIA). so either I never noticed after 5 months and many washes, or someone stole it recently (I doubt it flew off). so off to Amazon, and a replacement stubby showed up today that I installed. Even driver could have done this job. Took longer to roll up the bed cover so I could climb up and get to it. Then just screw it on, and done.

since I was in the garage, I decided to drag out the tools and finally install the new air filter I bought for the RDX. pulled the front trim panel off (that was just clips you yank out). Then step 2 was remove a couple of push pins to be able to pull off the air tube. I gave it a shot with a small screwdriver. 2 out of 3 broken push pins later, I decided that it was not a good idea, if I expected to get the parts back on. So I aborted the mission. And back to amazon to order a trim and push pin removal tools kit, and a big assortment of replacement push pins. Will go back for round 2 during the week. Outside when there is light to see instead of a garage without enough light!

really a dumb design on this car. the entire process is pull off the front cover, hoping you don't break any clips. then get the push pins out without breaking those, then yank out an air intake tube with more clips you hopefully don't break. Then, you have to undo 4 screws/bolts buried deep at the bottom of the air box so you can pull that off (hoping to not drop any of those screws). Then finally you can swap out the air filter, and reinstall all the parts.

makes you miss a wing nut on the top of chevy V8. Or most any normal car with either 2 screws or snap clips to undo to pop off the top of the airbox, a 2 minute process.

driver100

stickguy said:

sedan version of that one.

That's even better. The sedan looks better and these days I still prefer sedans over SUVs.

I think the interior is nicer too;

driver100

@stickguy

". Even driver could have done this job. Took longer to roll up the bed cover so I could climb up and get to it. Then just screw it on, and done."

Thanks!


But the other part of that job changing the air filter sounds like they designed it so only their mechanics could do it easily, probably have a special tool.

jmonroe1

stickguy said:

up and down day on the skip the guy front. I noticed Friday looking out the window at my truck that the antennae on the roof was missing (the shark fin was there, but the regular radio mast was MIA). so either I never noticed after 5 months and many washes, or someone stole it recently (I doubt it flew off). so off to Amazon, and a replacement stubby showed up today that I installed. Even driver could have done this job. Took longer to roll up the bed cover so I could climb up and get to it. Then just screw it on, and done.

since I was in the garage, I decided to drag out the tools and finally install the new air filter I bought for the RDX. pulled the front trim panel off (that was just clips you yank out). Then step 2 was remove a couple of push pins to be able to pull off the air tube. I gave it a shot with a small screwdriver. 2 out of 3 broken push pins later, I decided that it was not a good idea, if I expected to get the parts back on. So I aborted the mission. And back to amazon to order a trim and push pin removal tools kit, and a big assortment of replacement push pins. Will go back for round 2 during the week. Outside when there is light to see instead of a garage without enough light!

really a dumb design on this car. the entire process is pull off the front cover, hoping you don't break any clips. then get the push pins out without breaking those, then yank out an air intake tube with more clips you hopefully don't break. Then, you have to undo 4 screws/bolts buried deep at the bottom of the air box so you can pull that off (hoping to not drop any of those screws). Then finally you can swap out the air filter, and reinstall all the parts.

makes you miss a wing nut on the top of chevy V8. Or most any normal car with either 2 screws or snap clips to undo to pop off the top of the airbox, a 2 minute process.

————————————————
It’s been said “a man has to know his limitations or at least to know when to call the guy”.

jmonroe

stickguy

a tool, but not a special one. A standard trim tool/push pin popper. Looks like a 2 prong dandelion puller with the end curved. A pretty common thing to have if you do anything with cars. Still, it involves that, and having a socket set with extension (possible even a power drill driver) but still not anything a normal person couldn't do if they felt like it. But yes, way more complicated than this job should be.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

up and down day on the skip the guy front. I noticed Friday looking out the window at my truck that the antennae on the roof was missing (the shark fin was there, but the regular radio mast was MIA). so either I never noticed after 5 months and many washes, or someone stole it recently (I doubt it flew off). so off to Amazon, and a replacement stubby showed up today that I installed. Even driver could have done this job. Took longer to roll up the bed cover so I could climb up and get to it. Then just screw it on, and done.

since I was in the garage, I decided to drag out the tools and finally install the new air filter I bought for the RDX. pulled the front trim panel off (that was just clips you yank out). Then step 2 was remove a couple of push pins to be able to pull off the air tube. I gave it a shot with a small screwdriver. 2 out of 3 broken push pins later, I decided that it was not a good idea, if I expected to get the parts back on. So I aborted the mission. And back to amazon to order a trim and push pin removal tools kit, and a big assortment of replacement push pins. Will go back for round 2 during the week. Outside when there is light to see instead of a garage without enough light!

really a dumb design on this car. the entire process is pull off the front cover, hoping you don't break any clips. then get the push pins out without breaking those, then yank out an air intake tube with more clips you hopefully don't break. Then, you have to undo 4 screws/bolts buried deep at the bottom of the air box so you can pull that off (hoping to not drop any of those screws). Then finally you can swap out the air filter, and reinstall all the parts.

makes you miss a wing nut on the top of chevy V8. Or most any normal car with either 2 screws or snap clips to undo to pop off the top of the airbox, a 2 minute process.

Why not just get a cold air intake type filter. The one I have only need cleaning every 50k miles and you just throw it in the dishwasher. The paper cartridge types in my other cars just require you to unclip the top of the box and pop a new one in.

stickguy

same amount of work to get to it. If the reason is to not do it as often, I probably won't put more than 4k miles per year on the car, so I probably only have 1 more change in the future! only 22k on the car now, in 3.5 years, and I am curious what it is going to look like.

snakeweasel

driver100 said:

@tjc78
So kind of like this;




If that is it, then it looks great. My friends are mostly 60+ and though they know the future is electric, about 75% of them aren't ready to switch over yet. I'd say mileage anxiety and learning something new are the biggest problems. But, if you know it will suit your driving needs then it is an amazing vehicle.......and looks beautiful.

Don't forget to add it to your signature, and which one is coming off?

While electric is the future the future isn't here yet. There are a lot of issues that have to be addressed as of the present.

jmonroe1

stickguy said:

same amount of work to get to it. If the reason is to not do it as often, I probably won't put more than 4k miles per year on the car, so I probably only have 1 more change in the future! only 22k on the car now, in 3.5 years, and I am curious what it is going to look like.

————————————————
If I had to guess, at 22K miles, it won’t look too bad unless you’ve driven down dusty roads for around half of those miles but you’re right at the recommended mileage change interval.

Coincidentally, I’m in the process of changing my home HVAC filter (6X16X25). So I ordered 4 of that size online. Turns out those are the nominal dimensions so the filters won’t fit. The actual size I need is about 1/2 inch less all the way around. I called the company about returning them and they already emailed me 2 free UPS shipping labels (they were shipped 2 per box). I didn’t expect the returns to be free so that was a pleasant surprise but still a pain. This is why I don’t buy online too much. Yet i know people who buy shoes on line. I’d never even think of doing that.

jmonroe

roadburner

stickguy said:

so off to Amazon, and a replacement stubby showed up today that I installed. Even driver could have done this job. Took longer to roll up the bed cover so I could climb up and get to it. Then just screw it on, and done.

I replaced the 31" antenna on the 4xe with a 27" antenna that won't hit the garage door. I doubt Driver could have tackled the job as it required using a wrench.

driver100

What's a wrench?

snakeweasel

driver100 said:

What's a wrench?

jmonroe1

snakeweasel said:

driver100 said:

What's a wrench?

————————————————
It doesn’t look like you were ever taught how to play nice.

jmonroe

driver100

snakeweasel said:

driver100 said:

What's a wrench?

Is that a left hand wrench or a right hand one?

dino001

snakeweasel said:

driver100 said:

@tjc78
So kind of like this;




If that is it, then it looks great. My friends are mostly 60+ and though they know the future is electric, about 75% of them aren't ready to switch over yet. I'd say mileage anxiety and learning something new are the biggest problems. But, if you know it will suit your driving needs then it is an amazing vehicle.......and looks beautiful.

Don't forget to add it to your signature, and which one is coming off?

While electric is the future the future isn't here yet. There are a lot of issues that have to be addressed as of the present.

"Electric is the future" ... Make a thought experiment - replace 30 percent of ICE vehicles with EVs. Here are the questions:
1. What is net percentage increase of electrical energy demand generated by these vehicles?
2. How does it compare with current average household allocations?
3. How is this energy going to be generated?
4. How is it going to be distributed?
5. How long does it take to permit, design and build a new power plant?
6. How much does it cost?
7. What is a result of insufficient power supply in the meantime.
8. Is current wire gauge sufficient to distribute this power to all households in new need?
9. Are all transformer stations sufficient?
10. If not, how long would it take to upgrade them and how much would it cost?
11. Where is the lithium going to be extracted and processed.
12. What is the plan for disposal of these vehicles of the future after their useful life?

Seems to me that manufacturing and selling new EVs is probably the easiest challenge with electrification in the transportation.

driver100

@dino001
Good questions dino.
And I would still like to know how people who park on the streets, don't have a garage, live in older apartments with outside parking or older indoor wiring are going to charge up their cars? Maybe drive to a mall a few times a week.