Anyone ever replace these bushings on their Toyota vehicle?

[John Schmidt]

It's the rear lower bushing, a bit worn on my Highlander SUV and gives a minor clunking sound at times on uneven surfaces. I checked locally with dealers and they'll only replace the entire arm rather just the bushing. Looking at it with my son-in-law, we agree it doesn't look like a difficult task although will most likely need some persuasion...possibly with a "mexican impact wrench" or large C clamp to pull/press it in.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/401485487716?epid=22017010927&hash=item5d7a665e64:g:JlAAAOSwISRacPLQ

[Patrick]

It shouldn't be hard to replace. It should come out with normal hand tools and go back together with a bit of persuasion. It doesn't appear as though an alignment needs to be done, but, I've not done that particular bushing.

[cookiedough]

dealers will only replace the entire assembly because is easier and makes them more moola vs. replacing ONLY what needs replacing.  Always go after market repair shops vs. a Toyota dealer. 

Prior to last winter I took a car into for a recall and I just put on 5/32" tread snow tires last November.  Dealer service said I need new snow tires and told them really,  5/32" just put on myself last week and will last thru this past winter.  Now at only 3/32" just near the wearbars,  will be very iffy this winter,  end of last winter the tires howled a lot and offered much less traction. 

They did sucker a customer sitting next to me to spend 50 bucks on a cabin air filter change that takes 5 minutes to do and 10-12 bucks for the filter.  A sucker born every minute.

[Patrick]

3/32" ? Time for replacement.

[Robert]

The problem is the dealer is not really trying to rip you off.

The part that the bushing is in has 2 other bushings and if one is bad the others may not be far behind. The dealer would have to take the whole assembly off to change the one bushing. The list of that one bushing is 296. With labor it could be as high as 600.00 since its not just remove and install, but press and install the old bushing out and in.

 That whole assembly can more than likely be bought for 189.00. So with no additional labor or parts they dont have to disassemble and to replace the bushing only, they can replace the entire assembly for less. The list of the whole part is 331.00. Probably its an hour labor and that would be it. But to press it in and out may be an additional hour labor, so it would be a wash.

The dealer has to go by list price and book time thats it. I would personally replace the whole part also since its a bit more money but as I said you get the other 2 bushings and a new assembly. With what the dealers did to the techs when Covid came out I would be surprised if they have guys who are nothing more than parts changers and are not used to disassembling and rebuilding or repairing an individual part.

[John Schmidt]

Robert, I was with my soon-in-law at his regular mechanics shop and asked about the noise so he put it on the lift. He went directly to that bushing and pried on it...showing me the wear. He then proceeded to remove it without taking off the entire assembly, the idea was to show me what the wear was on it and what it took to replace it. Probably no more than 20 minutes including inspection time. Was just looking online for the entire ass'y. but don't find it, what's that part called so I can narrow it down. If I can get it cheap enough I'll probably just replace them on both sides. Mine is only front wheel drive, '08 Highlander Limited, non-electric.

[Robert]

Dorman 698-069, Suspension Knuckle

You have to look at application or give me the year make and model and I will take a look for the part number. This was going off your part you gave me for just the bushing

[John Schmidt]

Dorman 698-069, Suspension Knuckle

You have to look at application or give me the year make and model and I will take a look for the part number. This was going off your part you gave me for just the bushing

See my last post.

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

The dealership wants to replace the knuckle assembly because Toyota doesn't offer the bushings separately. You can do the bushing(s) if that's what you want to do. That's what I would do if it were mine. I was a dealer tech for about 25 years (several brands, including Toyota). I did plenty of repairs over the years that weren't factory methods, but that's not the way it works in most shops. To be able to honor the parts and labor warranty on the repair, they can't use aftermarket parts. So, no bushing available, have to recommend the knuckle. Independent shops aren't bound to the same rules. Again, if you want to buy the aftermarket bushings, go for it. Here's a listing of Toyota parts: https://toyotaparts.bochtoyotasouth.com/v-2008-toyota-highlander--sport--3-5l-v6-gas/rear-suspension--rear-suspension  

As you can see, the bushings aren't offered.

[Robert]

2008 Toyota Highlander Limited
 You said 2 wheel drive so these should be correct

Dorman 698-177, Suspension Knuckle rear left
Dorman 698-176, Suspension Knuckle rear right

2008 Toyota Highlander Limited
4 wheel drive, just in case
I believe its the same for a 2 wheel just a different listing number as its factory

42305-48051 axle bearing carrier
42304-48051 axle bearing carrier

[John Schmidt]

Wow...after looking at the cost of those things I'll opt for just the bushings. They're available for a bit over $20 ea. on Ebay and can be removed/replaced without major disassembly. My son-in-law's mechanic said he'd install them if I wanted to furnish the parts. Might be worth the cost...he has bigger hammers. 

[old2soon]

            ROCK AUTO! Or I believe PARTS GEEK. Ross-daprez-told me he saved a good bit of change on parts he needed from Parts Geek over Rock Auto. Anywho there ya go! RIDE SAFE.

[John Schmidt]

            ROCK AUTO! Or I believe PARTS GEEK. Ross-daprez-told me he saved a good bit of change on parts he needed from Parts Geek over Rock Auto. Anywho there ya go! RIDE SAFE.

Dennis, I agree...Rockauto is good and I've used them in the past a number of times. This time I don't see those bushings offered and I'm not spending the hundreds of $$ for the entire assembly. 

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

            ROCK AUTO! Or I believe PARTS GEEK. Ross-daprez-told me he saved a good bit of change on parts he needed from Parts Geek over Rock Auto. Anywho there ya go! RIDE SAFE.

Dennis, I agree...Rockauto is good and I've used them in the past a number of times. This time I don't see those bushings offered and I'm not spending the hundreds of $$ for the entire assembly. 

Rock Auto does list the Dorman bushings, John. The price is lower than the Ebay listing, but the Ebay listing says free shipping. You'd have to see which comes out better, pricewise, once you add in Rock Auto's shipping charge. Of course, if you needed other stuff, Rock Auto may end up better over all. Here's the listing at Rock Auto: https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=5548476&cc=1440247&pt=7532&jsn=885

[John Schmidt]

            ROCK AUTO! Or I believe PARTS GEEK. Ross-daprez-told me he saved a good bit of change on parts he needed from Parts Geek over Rock Auto. Anywho there ya go! RIDE SAFE.

Dennis, I agree...Rockauto is good and I've used them in the past a number of times. This time I don't see those bushings offered and I'm not spending the hundreds of $$ for the entire assembly. 

Rock Auto does list the Dorman bushings, John. The price is lower than the Ebay listing, but the Ebay listing says free shipping. You'd have to see which comes out better, pricewise, once you add in Rock Auto's shipping charge. Of course, if you needed other stuff, Rock Auto may end up better over all. Here's the listing at Rock Auto: https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=5548476&cc=1440247&pt=7532&jsn=885

That's strange...how did you find it, I looked all over that site and it didn't come up. I also went back to look at the same item on Ebay and the listing I originally found for $20.xx is no longer up. Thanks for the lead on this, guess I'll order from RA.

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

It was listed in suspension / control arm bushing. If the link works, here it is:
 https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/toyota,2008,highlander,3.5l+v6,1440247,suspension,control+arm+bushing,7532

[John Schmidt]

Oh for pete's sake...how did I miss that. Just went back and looked again and there it was. I've ordered two.