How much would it cost with parts and labor, to replace the front left wheel bearing?

In the past, Toyota was the last manufacturer to still use pressed in wheel bearings. Replacements were very inexpensive, but required special tools and a lot of time to replace. On your model, they went to the all-in-one bolt-on bearing assembly like everyone else has been using. They cost a lot more, but no specialty tools are needed. Replacement on Chrysler and GM products takes about 20 to 30 minutes.

When it comes to cost, that varies a lot, and it doesn't really have much to do with the quality or warranty, so it pays to shop around. They're much less expensive through mail-order places like Rock Auto, but that doesn't do the mechanic any good when he needs the part right now while the vehicle is torn apart and tying up the hoist. Sometimes what you save in cost is made up in the added shipping cost. Also realize the shop is going to mark the cost up a little. When they do that, they take on the responsibility of anything related to warranty. That includes getting the part replaced / delivered, and the cost of installing it. It also helps cover the loss of not being able to bring in the next job when they're working on yours at no charge.

In the rare event they are willing to let you provide your own parts, you take on those responsibilities, and you will be charged a second time for labor if the part needs to be replaced under warranty, but time is usually not a priority, so consider the online sources. If you shop at the local auto parts stores, the people there should offer you multiple choices. When my friend needed a generator for his GMC truck, a professionally-rebuilt unit with a two-year warranty was $200.00, and the same thing with a lifetime warranty was only $150.00. Of course he went with the less expensive one. Good thing because he's on his third warranty replacement, which is very common on '87 and newer GM vehicles.

The same can be true with wheel bearings. Besides the warranty, some have the anti-lock brake wheel speed sensor built in or bolted on. Here again, with GM front-wheel-drive cars, those wheel bearings can cause anti-lock brake problems in as little as 15,000 miles. The dealers' scrap metal bins are full of these bearing assemblies. When you have a car that doesn't have anti-lock brakes, the same bearing with the sensor works just fine, and it usually costs less than the same bearing with the sensor. You just don't connect the sensor. I think that's because they sell most of these bearings for replacement of those that develop a little normal play that leads to signal dropouts from the sensor. Without ABS, that play goes unnoticed for another 150,000 miles. Since they sell so many with the sensor, they buy them in huge quantities, so they get a better price.

The ABS wheel speed sensor is built into the front wheel bearings on your model, but I don't see any reference to that on the parts lists. They give the option for the rear bearing, but not the front.

As for costs, Toyota is very proud of their parts. The bearing from the dealer is listed at $441.54. You'll find them for less than half of that at the auto parts stores. The biggest concern with all wheel bearings of this style, bolt-on and pressed in, vs. The much older tapered bearings that we repacked by hand, is the axle nut on the end of the outer CV joint must be carefully tightened to a very high and precise value to prevent repeat failure. There must never be any vehicle weight on the bearing when that nut is not fully tightened. Setting the weight on it with the nut not tightened will instantly make the new bearing noisy and it will sound like an airplane engine.

The time listed to replace one front bearing is two hours, and 2.7 hours to do both front bearings at the same time. That's a lot higher than most other models. That number is from the "flat rate" guide that lists the times for every procedure for every model and year. That way all shops are able to provide repair estimates based on the same thing. The only variable then is their hourly labor rate.

Be aware some shops will put two people on a job so you'll get your vehicle back faster. At others, they may have a mechanic who is very experienced or has invested in a lot of expensive specialty tools and training, so he may get the job done faster too. You still pay for two hours.

At other shops, a less-experience mechanic may do the work, or he may run into rusted bolts and other problems. If it takes him a lot longer, you still only pay for two hours.

Depending on what needs to be disassembled, the vehicle may require an alignment. That is not included in the two hours. Your mechanic can tell you if an alignment is needed after the service and if it was included in the repair estimate.

Happy I could be of help. Let us know when you have your next question or problem.