Suspension Replacement (2008 Touring)

My front and rear suspension needs replacing. I am going to go to Mavis. They quoted me $700, and use Monroe shocks and struts. I know I need to replace them because my tires are wearing unevenly. I had a flat the other day, and when I put on the spare I found out why. See tire pics. I also experienced what I would describe as severe vibrations, anytime I crossed over 63 mph (worrisome, but a great massage). So soon the suspension, for now three new tires (one was 2 months old, I hit a curb and blew out the old one). Much better now, but if I don't replace the suspension, the same thing is going to happen again.

 

Doesn't pull hard to either side, but gently to the left. Toyota has aligned the car a few times, but it takes a beating. I'm the original owner, and have been commuting to NYC with this car since I purchased it in 2007.

 

Hmmm, interesting idea. Thanks! Any advice on a tie rod replacement that isn't too expensive?

 

By the way, Toyota wanted over $1200 for the suspension, hence Mavis.

 

Got it. Thank you Mavi.

 

I forgot to mention above that the car has also been making a humming noise from the front wheels. I figured it was a bad bearing (and I was right). Ok I took the car to a local mechanic yesterday, and today he called me to report his findings. The right front bearing is bad, just as I suspected. The car also needs an alignment. My suspension is fine, no leaks and everything is tight. Nothing is bent or out of whack. $600 to repair it all. I made an appointment for next Thursday. What do you think about that?

 

The car has four new tires and it's definitely a bearing. It only makes the hum when the load is put on the right, like when turning left. Everything else checked out AOK. What I'd like to know is, why are Toyota, Mavis, and a few years ago a different mechanic flagging my struts? Then the mechanic I used today says no it's not the struts, it's out of alignment and your struts are fine. So I don't know what to do here. I was told by a friend to go get yet another opinion, but I'm kinda tired of driving around a broken car you know? I just want to get it fixed, and fixed right.

 

Yes, I know a bad wheel bearing is not going to cause abnormal tire wear.

Yes, the latest mech was aware of the tire wear (I showed him the pics). I also told him I was hearing the hum/grind from the front and he diagnosed the hum as a bad right wheel bearing (confirming what I already knew), the struts are perfectly OK (no leaking, everything tight and proper), and that the tire wear is due to an alignment problem. When I dropped off the car, I left a note, which said I want to know what is causing the humming sound, and why my tire wore out like it did. I didn't tell him anything else, so as not to influence his diagnosis. He got back to me with: You need a new wheel bearing, and you need a front alignment. Shocks and struts are fine.

 

Around 234,000.

 

Our roads are terrible!!!

Patrick, I know they are way past due (I've heard factory struts are good for 60,000 miles). But if they are not leaking, and still doing their job, then they do not need to be replaced. The car doesn't bounce up and down like a low rider. I'm actually amazed they aren't shot! Our roads are not perfect, and the car has taken some hard hits. I don't think I should replace them. I could replace them, but if the car needs an alignment and that fixes the tire wear issue, then I probably will not.

 

UPDATE: On June 30, 2017 the car was diagnosed and worked on by a local mechanic (less than a 10 minute walk from my home). I'd been thinking about bring the car over there for over two years, but never bothered. I'm glad I brought it there. They said the suspension is fine, everything tight, nothing broken, no squatting and on a test drive it handled the road well, but pulled slightly left. The car was a 1/4" out of alignment, they adjusted it. They suggested I bring it back in 3K miles, so they could check my tires for uneven wear, which would indicate a suspension problem.

Today August 23, about 5K miles later (I was 2K over due for the tire check but they did not scold me) I had them change the oil and check the tires. Everything checked out fine and dandy.