So this family members car started having a grinding noise coming from the driver's side back I believe for the last month but it's a low sounding noise. They took it to Toyota and Toyota said it was a coupler which needed replacement to fix this noise. At first they wanted to charge about $2,000 then they got a phone call saying that they couldn't replace the bearings in the coupler but the whole assembly needed to be replaced 3,500 worth of parts for a grand total of $5,000. The mechanic who spoke to this family member told them that he wouldn't even attempt to do the work because the car was now even worth that much. I seen this diagram from Toyota where they say the parts that are needed to fix the noise. It's the whole coupler. Also the wheel bearings have been replaced prior to this noise. I believe it's Toyota's policy not to just change the bearings in the coupler but replace the whole thing. I have seen on videos where people buy kits off eBay for a few hundred dollars and replace these bearings gaskets whatever. Is there some type of workaround or is Toyota's diagnosis on point? I did see an old school mechanic on YouTube who took apart this coupler and rebuilt it using the kit on eBay. He said it was a grueling job but could be done. Is there is any help you could give pertaining to this situation so we can decide what we should do with this car? Also is this a safety issue while driving the car in this state?
Why are they taking a 22-year-old vehicle to the dealer for service? Have it evaluated by a good independent mechanic. (Avoid chain shops as well as dealers.)
@chucktobias They are elderly and don't agree on sound advice many times.
You'll probably need to find a mechanic willing to replace the coupling bearings or get a used coupling out of a salvage yard and hope everything inside it is in good condition.
Video showing the lock ring locations inside the coupling.
South Main Auto disassembling the coupling. He didn't have a lock ring for the coupling housing for some reason.
@oskool thank you I appreciate the advice. In fact I am taking it to a small garage which I've used many times. His old school and does the work that other shops won't. In fact they send everybody there for the work they don't want to do. I'm dropping the car off Thursday so I'll let you know what he says.