Wandl

I got all 8 of mine via eBay (though not from this seller), my mechanic who is a Lexus master tech said it fits just fine.

jbrittmart

anybody had an issue with the control arms eventually loosening and making creaking noises anytime the front end moves (stopping, starting, etc)

I've taken mine in once already to have them retightened and it went away... but it's back.

any suggestions for when I take it back in yet again when I get an oil change?

Devh

If they are loosening your best bet is to have them add thread lock and be done with it.
This can be an issue if they are not torquing them with a torque wrench with the right values.
More often then not they will just use an impact gun on the lowest setting.

Carnut

Most shops do not get them tight enough after an alignment. It takes a CHEATER BAR to get the nuts tight enough to really stop the front end from "squeeking" etc. The "Lock-Tite" is not a bad idea either, but somebody has to really put a LOT of torque on those bolt heads or it will keep making noses. Good luck.

Devh

Yes agreed. The torque values on control arms can be quiet high.

bichkikr

iTrader: (5)

Are you the original owner? I'm looking at a used 07 LS with 68K miles and if they haven't been replaced I was wondering if the dealer would still do it for me if I'm not the original owner?

G-LUX

I'm in the process of buying a very well maintained 08 LS. I plan on keeping this car as long as possible, but I know the control arms have never been replaced. I'm seriously thinking about getting an extended warranty, do you guys think it's worth it in my case?

roadfrog

My '08 now has 95k miles or so and have owned it since Jan 2014. I opted out of an extended warranty and I'm glad I did, or I'd be out several thousand dollars. Other than a water pump (which I replaced myself (DIY for under 100 bucks), and a set of mufflers (400 bucks), my car has been problem free. No bushings, no engine or transmission issues. Yes, I had hesitation issues which I cured with a change in engine oil and an oi system flush, but other than that, it's the most reliable car I've ever owned...and I've owned MANY. Whether to buy a warranty or not really comes down to peace-of-mind. It's a crap shoot. As I've always said, insurance (warranty) companies are like Vegas Casinos.....they're gambling that you will spend more on your warranty than you will actually make claims on. As you can imagine, the house almost ALWAYS wins. You would be better off putting the equivalent amount of money that the warranty would cost you, into a savings account or other money-making venture and draw from it as repairs arise. Chances are, you'll have money left over at the end of what your warranty term would be (2 or 3 years or 60k miles etc). This is not just my opinion, but that of every consumer publication, etc. as well as many others here at CL. This is especially true with reliable cars like Lexus', Toyota's, Honda's etc.

dal20402

I don't think an extended warranty is the right move for everyone, but I do think any buyer that doesn't choose it should have money in reserve in case any of the common early LS problems that are expensive to repair (control arms, brake actuator, Mark Levinson amp) show up. I would have been an upset buyer if I hadn't been financially prepared to replace my prematurely failed control arms immediately after the purchase.

The good news is that all three of those problems have been solved, and you are pretty much guaranteed not to have to fix them more than once.

dlbuckls10

Each to their own and we all have our options. I paid $1600 for my 3 yr/36000 warranty. I'm glad I did. So far $6000 in warranty repairs. Shock and actuator, amp, trunk closing problems, driver side folding mirror stop working (two weeks ago and $1000 to repair, ridiculous) and I have 6 months remaining. Peace of mind. No bushings, control arms, engine or transmission problems. I can't make that kind of return on a savings in 2 or 3 years. Consumer publications, etc, are usually paid or influence in their decisions and are not always RIGHT. Lexus are extremely reliable and complex vehicles but problems do occur.

G-LUX

Great info guys, thank you! I'm having the vehicle inspected right now. I gave my mechanic all the recall and service records and told them to make sure the control arm bushings are in good shape! Hoping it's going to be fine... This LS looks like a cream puff, it was religiously serviced at the dealer every 5K miles. If there aren't any problems found during the inspection I'll feel more at ease.. crossing fingers!.

roadfrog

Fair enough, but how would they be paid to say NOT to buy a warranty??? That makes no sense. FWIW, Consumer Reports does not get paid nor do they allow advertising in their publications.

rezalon

First of all I wanted to thank all the advise posted on this thread by experienced members. I have a 2008 LS with 68000 miles on it. Dealership told me that the front control arm bushings were shot. Decided to go with the PBL polyurethane bushing solution. Cost about $280 for the bushings and about $350 labor from my old mechanic and $60 for alignment. Drove the car from Los Angeles to San Francisco and back no problems. It's been a few weeks now and I am hearing the creaking sound that other folks have talked about.

My question is should I wait and watch or take it back to my mechanic to tighten up? Does it go away by itself as time goes by if it is not a loose bolt type issue?

sdwtchlvr

iTrader: (1)

Speaking to the extended warranty debate. I picked up a 4 year/48k miles warranty through my credit union that is essentially bumper to bumper. My LS is an 09 that has only 36k miles and has had 6 of the 8 control arms replaced at Lexus by the previous owner as well as the brake actuator replaced. I spent $2500 on my warranty and financed it with the car, at 1.89%.

Now granted, most of the big ticket items have been addressed on my car. I've got some savings but I'm still a relatively young guy with 2 young children and both my wife and I work full time. I'll be the first one to say that I paid for the extended warranty for peace of mind. No doubt these cars are reliable but they are also very expensive to fix if something goes wrong. My car is financed and I wanted to protect it. If I paid cash for it and/or paid it off, it would be different.

There seems to be less troubleshooting/fixing going on nowadays with mechanics, namely dealers, and more replacing and replacing components on the LS is expensive. Whether it's a mirror motor that breaks, door actuator, trunk closer, steering wheel heater, etc. None of these things will leave you stranded by the road but they will bug the hell out of you and affect the value of you car if and when you decide to sell. I'm pretty handy but just don't have the time right now to be a DIY or weekend warrior. It's worth $50/month to insure that someone else takes care of these issues at their expense and time. Granted, I've got to pay a deductible too but even still.

roadfrog

That's the problem with polyurethane......they will squeak and make other noises if not lubricated regularly (usually with silicone). That's why I'll never use poly again, unless given no other choice. On my old Mustang, I spray the poly bushings now and again to keep them quiet. Yes, poly will outlive rubber and give a tighter ride, but I'd rather not deal with the lubrication, especially living in the wetter climate I'm in.....the lube just does'nt hold up long.

I'd start with going back to the installer and makiing sure that the fittings are tight, especially after driving on them for a time and settling in. However, at the end of the day, you will have to deal with squeaking unless you lube regularly. There is much debate on whether petroleum based grease deteriorates poly, but persoanlly I'd stick to synthetic grease/lube or use what came with your kit. Energy Suspension and others make the proper lube.