Magnusson-Moss Act states that the dealer or manufacturer can not deny a warranty claim on a part or material that was not privided to you free of charge. TRD warrants the springs against defect, you'd have to REALLY know what you were doing to mess up springs to the point where they'd fail and cause damage to the vehicle. The only way I'd let a dealer install parts from their company's own racing division is if they did it free. I've never been denied warranty work on issues like these. I see that it says it "MUST BE INSTALLED BY A TOYOTA DEALER", but it doesn't say why, or what will happen if you don't have it installed by them because once again, it's illegal to void the warranty until there is proof of misuse or abuse. I never said they will just flat out lay at your mercy if anything goes wrong, but you DO have rights in those cases and this topic has gotten far off topic enough :-)

 

I think we are on topic, we are still discussing springs and how they cost too much to be installed by a dealer.

Maybe I'm not reading correctly. It says the warranty is applicable only if it's installed by a toyota dealer. Meaning if someone else (you or a shop) other than toyota installs the springs and something is damaged later you are not covered under warranty for these damaged parts.

You say you've never been denied warranty for issues like this, but this doesn't mean nobody else will be denied. You are right, it is illegal to void warranty until there is proof of misuse or abuse, UNLESS otherwise stated by the company. Thats why that got all the legal stuff on their websites and products. I really don't know about that Act but this is why scion and TRD have their own legal disclaimers, to cover their asses.

And if you do have it installed by toyota, not only WILL they, but they HAVE to flat out lay at your mercy if anything goes wrong, If there was no misuse or negligence on your part that is.

BOTTOM LINE:

You are paying those outrageous installation costs to keep your warranty. So basically they are taking advantage of those of us that want to keep our warranties. You DON'T have to get it installed by toyota. It's your decision. You can pay the dealer installation costs and be covered... or take your chances with some type of damage to parts later on (which is unlikely but possible even if installed correctly), and install it yourself and save $$$ You have to weigh your options and make your own decision.

 

im getting trd struts and springs put on my xB tomorow and im only paying 660 i think all together, that includes the parts and installation. if your near madison wisconsin id recommend jon lancaster scion

 

I was quoted a LABOR charge from my dealer of $680 today. Not only that, but it'd be the first one they've done. That makes me nervous in the first place. I called another dealer in town, and they flat out had no idea what I was talking about.

 

I self-installed springs on my Matrix, but told my local dealer that I had it done in at another dealer because they had a special going. Never had any questions about the springs or suspension being out of warranty...

 

If you are going the way of dealer install, check around different dealers. I've been quoted from $300-$600 for labor, that's a 300 dollar difference. So check around.

 

What kind of problem did you have that you had to use the warranty?

 

these install costs are ridiculous. I usally cahrge around 75 to install springs in most cars. Just shows you how much dealers love to rip you off.

 

Well, I decided to just buy them at the dealer then get them installed elsewhere. If anyone lives in/near St. Louis and knows a good place to get them installed, let me know.

 

None with the tC so far With the Matrix - the tech said he can't get my car on the lift because I lowered it and that's why he could not replace my catalytic converters... I told him to go back to elementary school, because the springs are TRD, installed by a dealer (that was a slight exaggeration of course) and all you need is a little ingenuity to get the damn car on a lift. So there. Even if you blow your strut while you are installing the springs, but manage to put the car together and make it to the dealer, you have a good chance of BS-ing them into replacing the strut under warranty. It's all about communication skills

 

I just installed my springs today. Cost me $175 for the springs and thats it. I got quoted $450 for the install of the springs from my dealer. I installed them myself and saved myself some money. Took me a total of 4 hours to do all 4 and this is the first time ever doing springs. Im sure if I had to do it again I could shave at least an hour off that time. All you need is a jack and a few basic handtools, piece of cake.

 

Has anybody tried finding a mechanic or auto shop that is Toyota-certified? I would expect that they would be alot cheaper then a dealer install, and any warranty should be left intact. Anyone have any feedback on this?

 

Does a toyota certified shop qualify to keep your warranty? Or does it have to be a toyota dealership service dept? Anyone know?

 

Goddamn dealers are theives. They are getting hurt because of the set price for the car and accessories; normally they make a ton of extra cash on a deal by overcharging on payments and add-ons like air conditioning and cd decks. Scion is right, these should be standard, but the dealers make too much $$$ on them. In the case of the Tc it is worse for them, because it is a high demand car and they are prevented for charging a "high demand" premium price. They tried to offer me a deal on my Tc: 471 a month for 72 months. That's like $34,000 total! And people were taking it!
Be careful, people. If you are going to lower your Tc, and it needs at least 1.25 to 1.5 realistically, do your research, find someone you know at a shop (if you are that into cars to get yours lowered, you will have at least one friend in a shop) and get it done. It is pretty clear that there is no reason for this to void the warantee. Also, be careful when going much lower, or messing with the suspension. We are the guinea pigs for this model; I don't want to end up being the guy who posts "don't do blah blah blah, it will screw your car. I know, my car is screwed". So post ALL your experiences, and check the posts. Try not to be made into an example of what not to do. Ima start 1.5, feel it out, and go from there.
BTW - No offence to all the other scion kids out there, but the Tc is the hottest ride out right now bar none. Ha!

 

Springs installed pure price is 329.00 including alignment, mine just went on at Arlington Scion and it was a ;pure price' no extra labor charges needed.

 

Goddamn dealers are theives. They are getting hurt because of the set price for the car and accessories; normally they make a ton of extra cash on a deal by overcharging on payments and add-ons like air conditioning and cd decks. Scion is right, these should be standard, but the dealers make too much $$$ on them. In the case of the Tc it is worse for them, because it is a high demand car and they are prevented for charging a "high demand" premium price. They tried to offer me a deal on my Tc: 471 a month for 72 months. That's like $34,000 total! And people were taking it!
Be careful, people. If you are going to lower your Tc, and it needs at least 1.25 to 1.5 realistically, do your research, find someone you know at a shop (if you are that into cars to get yours lowered, you will have at least one friend in a shop) and get it done. It is pretty clear that there is no reason for this to void the warantee. Also, be careful when going much lower, or messing with the suspension. We are the guinea pigs for this model; I don't want to end up being the guy who posts "don't do blah blah blah, it will screw your car. I know, my car is screwed". So post ALL your experiences, and gimmie photos! Try not to be made into an example of what not to do. Ima start powder coat white 1.5 inch, feel it out, and go from there.
BTW - No offence to all the other scion kids out there, but the Tc is the hottest ride out right now bar none. Ha!

 

you shoud read my previous posts, it does void the warranty.