Honda Odyssey Axel and Suspension Shot :( advice sought

What's it worth? 8 to 12 grand? How much can you get for it? For me it wouldent be worth growing 7k into a 10k $ car. But everyone's situations are different. It wasn't route 22 home at that gave you the price was it?

 

Let me guess, they gave you a "if you trade it in now on a new vehicle, we will give you a good price"

 

Ouch! Sorry to hear about all your car troubles. To think I was trying to figure out is $3000 was too much to spend on my 03 Toyota. In my opinion $7k is too much.
As far as your vacation that would depend on you and your finances. I'm thinking cancelling the trip and use the money to buy a new car. Or continue your trip but do the cheapest option you suggested. I wouldn't want to rush in buying a car. That should be something you have to take your time and research. Good luck.

 

Get a second opinion, find a shop (not a dealer) that someone you trust can vouch for.
Unless you beat that think like a rented mule, it shouldn't need that much work with just over 100K miles on it.

I can see the CV axle being bad at that mileage, struts are also a wear item and should have been done before 117K miles.
The control arms may be the easiest way to replace the lower ball joints/bushings if they are worn. We had a Volvo like that.
I don't understand having to get the timing belt done when the engine was being rebuilt. I don't know anyone who wouldn't replace that when the engine was already apart.
There is no added labor at that point, and the belt is probably $50-70.

If it truly needs $7K in repairs, I'd trade it as soon as I could.
But Hondas usually last forever, I think you're being lied to.

 

At only 117k miles....they saw you coming.
I would question their honesty

 

Definitely on the right track getting a second opinion. I've had plenty of cases like this brought into the shop. Quite often it's a scare tactic. Yeah you could make a case for most of it but that doesn't mean it all has to be done at once. You may find you could do some of it now and be safe and deal with the rest later, wether you fix or trade it in.

 

I agree that they were trying to goat you into a new car. I bet that you may only need one or two of the repairs that they listed. I have watched this happen to my wife a few times when she had bring the car to have work done because I was working and could not do it myself.

 

Average life span on shocks and struts are 60,000 to 100,000 miles. Most people go twice that and wait until it becomes a safety issue. Towing with a Honda the bump stops probably are beat up, the rest who knows. That's where the second opinion is needed.

 

Was asking myself the same question
...if engine was rebuilt WHY no new timing belt...that's a GIVEN on a rebuild.

 

Bump stops are about $25 each, struts around $140 each.
CV shaft is $65, control arm with ball joint, upper is around $35, good lowers $95.
Power steering pump is under $350. I got all of these prices from Rock Auto, brand name parts.

IF you needed all of those, with labor and 4 wheel alignment you should be able to get it done for under $2K.

Which is a long way from $7K.
I'm not pulling this out of thin air, I used to run an auto shop and did everything from oil changes to engine rebuilds and collision repair.
Any decent shop should be able to perform all of those repairs in a day.

 

It's nj , Lol! I still think they were expecting a windfall. I stoped going to dealers 20 years ago when I got a flat on the way to a warrantee repair, I asked them to plug the tire when I got there. Bill was 125$ never went back to a dealer for any repaires since

 

Wow, we have a '99 Odyssey. I has 178k miles on it and going strong. Never put any money into it other than regular maintenance things, most recently a water pump. Only paid for the part and a friend put it on. Which, by the way, comes in a kit with the timing belt, that we replaced at the same time. I think most people do both, when they are doing one.

We had a new transmission put in on a recall, many years ago, but that's really all. I don't know what is going on with yours, but sounds fishy to me. Glad you are getting a second opinion.

As far as Disney goes, I would not rent an RV, as that takes away any savings you get from staying at Fort Wilderness and having your own kitchen. As much as I love the Fort, Pop Century is my second favorite and I would opt for that, in your position, unless you have your tow vehicle situation resolved. You could still have breakfast in your room to save on Disney's ridiculously overpriced food. We even take a microwave when we stay in resort rooms.

Does your van have any rear suspension support, for towing, on it? We have air bags on ours.

 

Sounds like a lot of worn bushings. I've looked at mine in various vehicles and said "yup, they'll need tending to when I'm ready" and driven on my way. If they weren't clunking away, I personally wouldn't even worry about it. BUT, that's just me. When you hear things like "control arm" being "bad", well, does that mean you have no control? Eh.

The real issue isn't the repairs, the cost or the mechanical necessity... the real issue is your personal psychological security in using the vehicle. If you're worried about it, that worry won't abate on Hwy 95... it will only get worse. If you think it's no big deal, then it's probably no big deal.

But, with my background in the auto repair industry and engineering, my response would be "Thanks for the diagnostics, I'll get to those issues when I get a chance!" If I had a wheel bearing noise, slipping transmission, or overheating issue, those would keep me home. Maybe the CV joint is a bit of a concern, but only if it was thumping in the jug handles. But struts and bushings??? I'm not there looking at it, but that wouldn't cause me to cancel a trip. But don't take my advice, I'm a radial lunatic.

 

I hear you....that's why I've always bought used....I'm in the 6 figure range annually but can't swallow the prices on new vehicles and I HATE payments...lol