Wandl

So I have a LS460 with 100k miles out of, out of warranty and, while third party extended warranties are available, there are some risks in working with them on covering such a costly repair. Or, for some of you, getting covered may be a problem as well as justifying the costs of these service contracts. It all started from a basic oil change I had, only to find out that the control arm bushings are completely cracked and needed replaced. An independent shop and Lexus dealer service (here in Dallas) quoted $4600 and $5300 respectively to replace the control arms (because the need to buy OEM control arms as a whole, Lexus does not sell just the bushings).

I read this forum and others on the experiences, and as an owner without warranty, you have 2 options.

Option 1
Just buy the bushings (since it is the main part at fault). As Lexus designed the control arms with bushings as one part, you would have to find a shop that has a press and tools to extract the bushings without damaging the control arms (do this at your own risk of course). Doing extensive research, a couple places sells good solid bushings like Armstrong

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lexus-LS460-LS600h-Front-Upper-Lower-Strut-Bushing-Kit-07-13-/321539466602?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3ALS460&hash=item4add3ee56a&vxp=mtr$350 for all 8 bushings plus an optional $78 tool to help install
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lexus-LS460-LS600h-Upper-Bushing-Installation-Tool-Kit-460T-/321475455708?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4ad96e2adcIf you choose this route, ensure your shop (or yourself) have the right tools, and call Armstrong directly...some English guy will pick up, placing an order directly from him will save you 7% as he saves Ebay selling costs.

Option 2
Replace the control arms
MOST LS460's may just need the lower 4 control arms replaced, so it may not be necessary to replace 6 or 8. Please ask your mechanic on their opinion, or verify yourself on how many of the 8 control arms need done. If you have uneven tire wear, an alignment issue or a "lot of play" with your steering, your upper control arms may need attention as well.

For just the lower control arms, you can consider these two options
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Front-Lower-Control-Arm-and-Bushings-Set-Kit-For-07-12-Lexus-LS460-Set-of-2-/201223484410?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3ALS460&hash=item2ed9dab3fa&vxp=mtrhttp://www.ebay.com/itm/2-FRONT-LOWER-CURVE-CONTROL-ARM-LEXUS-LS460-LS600H-06-12-2WD-4X2-/390681965306?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3ALS460&hash=item5af675b2fa&vxp=mtr
If you also need the upper 4 control arms, you can consider
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Front-Upper-Control-Arm-Ball-Joint-Set-Kit-For-07-12-Lexus-LS460-LS600H-New-4-/191427247691?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3ALS460&hash=item2c91f3fe4b&vxp=mtr
My experience
I don't have the mechanical expertise, tools or inclination to do this project myself (though some forum members attest this is a weekend project with some fundamental mechanical skills), I chose option 2 only because the labor charges to do Option 1 or Option 2 were very similar...and the way I justified it, might as well replace the whole thing instead of just the bushings. As I had some issues with my upper control arms as well, I opted to replace all 8 with the parts above (total parts cost, inclusive of shipping was $515). I used the sellers above to good satisfaction.

I checked with several shops that allowed me to bring my own parts for labor. Keep in mind (take this guidance with a grain of salt as I am not a trained mechanic, I speak for my own experiences) that control arms are "basic" suspension parts, meaning you don't necessarily need a Lexus certified master mechanic to work on these repairs. So I went to check with non-Japanese specialized shops as well and your basic garages. I did luck out, and happen to find a Lexus Master Mechanic who works at one of the dealerships and offered to do it on the side (labor cost $600). Indie shops quoted ranges from $750-$1000, and Lexus quoted $1300 for the labor. I am based in Dallas and happy to share the shop names with any of those interested, and in the area.

End Result
My control arms were pretty shot, the knocking noises when I braked was noticeable and the uneven wear on tires/improper alignment (even after a 4 wheel alignment) was pretty bad. Due to that, I felt a significant improvement after the repairs were done, not just a placebo effect. Steering was noticeably tighter, the knocking noise was gone and I feel more at ease knowing I don't have cracked bushings

Total cost for this repair, inclusive of all parts and labor from the sources above was $1,115. Also about 2 weeks worth of reading, trolling through CL forums (among others) for guidance and advice. For those mechanically inclined, the parts I mentioned above will only run $515 if you can supply your own labor; this for me was a great alternative to the $4-$5k bill I would have faced.

As some of you may be doing currently, I contemplated for a long time on purchasing a VSA/third party service contract to get this covered, but the warranty costs a lot more than $1,115 with not too many other problem areas that can go wrong on my LS460 (knock on wood). I felt this out-of-pocket repair would financially serve me better than spending $2k-$4k for a service contract, though I can only speak for my experiences alone.

Caveats
A member here on CL got fthe genuine Lexus control arms for just over $2k via Sewell, so you can source parts from a variety of sources. The aftermarket options I listed above happened to work out for me (the parts fit, the sellers didn't flake out, items arrived in good shape).
Your labor rates/local shops can differ greatly, I've read some users who were quoted $350 for labor, and some higher, please do call and check around.
You WILL very likely need to do a 4 wheel alignment after this repairs so please factor that into the cost of this project (Meineke in my area offered 4 wheel alignment for $50)

Hopefully this can help some of you who are
- Going through the exact same issue in an older and out-of-warranty LS460
- Have a 2007-2010 LS460 and anticipate this may be an issue coming up (I think the control arms were updated 2011 onwards)
- Trying to justify a VSA/Third party service contract to cover this repair for a recently-acquired LS460

Feel free to PM me with any questions any of you may have, and for those in Dallas/Fort Worth area, happy to share the shops that I called for the labor rates.

Thanks always to the CL community for giving me a lot of insights and guidance on my ownership of the LS460!

JiffyPop

Excellent research and fantastic post. This is the kind of post that makes this forum so helpful. Much thanks!

Doublebase

Nice, glad it worked out for you.

If control arms are the biggest problem with this vehicle - and you can get the parts for $500 - then that's not a big deal at all.

roadfrog

Well done mate!! It reinforces what many of us have been saying here at CL. All the gnashing of teeth and pulling ones hair out for nothing. As Double base said, if that's all that goes awry, color me happy. Warranties are great if you actually need to use it AND then insist on paying Lexus, and use their exorbitant prices as a reference.

Devh

As this car or any other car for that matter gets older it becomes a lot cheaper to maintain and source parts on the cheap. There's nothing wrong with warranties however one of the biggest problems are those that are trying to game the system including the dealerships. I have chosen the Lexus for the very reason I can get out of that racket. I got my final notice in the mail that my warranty is running out in big bold letters which I assume is some sort of marketing scare tactic to make me sign.

Great write up by the way, well done.

HONDACBR

Same exact problem here for me in Houston. I get Endurance extened warranty (and the reason i buy warranty bc who know when the brake actuator will be next, this is LS460's 101) and try to get that taken care of after my 1 mo waiting period is over. If they denied me for any reason then i will cancel that damn warranty then come to Dallas and hope u will show me the routine. Thanks in adv

texas008

great post, thanks for sharing....

hfahmy

Great Post! Quick question on the noise on braking, did you hear this noise right before you stop at light braking? Click Click? I hear two clicks right before the car stops and wondering if this is the actuator or the control arms? Nothing when I go over speed bumps. Appreciate any thoughts!

HONDACBR

IMO it sound like the control arms. Brake actuator will make noise even if u step in the brake when the car stand still or in park.
Someone here please correct me if im wrong.
My control arms dosnt make any noise, just slightly pull to the right, and dealer said they cant do the alignment bc all bushings were shot

HONDACBR

Damn it, i wish i still drive my 430 instead of this trouble 460. ;-((

R Z

Great info and nice to know your way of working around the system. I do hear the clicking when I brake, but my car rides straight and true so far. Hoping I don't have to do anything soon. Nice to know what do do in the future.

Thanks!

Wandl

Symptoms for control arms is usually a knocking noise when you come to a complete stop (I don't hear it if I'm slowing down from 55mph to 25mph). Clicking noise may suggest something else...maybe a wheel bearing or brake part issue? I remember some forum member said it was a clip of some sort that had come loose on the brake pas assembly or something?


Plus the fact I can't get my car 100% aligned led to control arm replacement (knocking noise wasn't too bothersome)

roadfrog

??? what kind of problems have you been having?

enjo

Thanks Wandi. I too have gone the option two way. I've just bought the same arms. I'm waiting for them to arrive.

CM460L

I hear a Click Click noise on my 2010 460L. I was thinking it was the brake actuator also. I'm also thinking it could be something with the brake pads. The car brakes fine and I have not heard any other noises , squeals, etc. I tend to hear the noise more clearly when I first start driving and the sound dies down the more I drive.