Majkmil

Is this the same procedure for my 98 LS? Thanks

GRAND_LS 4

iTrader: (2)

Anyone.....?

damon

Changed mine today. Got some pro garage help that cost $50.00 on top of $85.00 in parts, but I am very happy w the results. One side was a ***** , the other took about 8 minutes.

damon

94 LS 400 168,032 miles

I know my way around an LS but am damn sure not a mechanic. It would have been painfull for me to hit steering & suspension components that hard!!

My LS most likely does not appreciate me hitting City ******* at speed either!!

no more hollow thunk when I hit road rasch!!

PHML

iTrader: (33)

Oversteer....

U da man....great pics....and easy to follow write up....thanks a bunch.

Pete

Montalvo

Thanks!

I went to Luxury Motorsports today for an oil change (50K service) and alignment. They said I need the ball joints replaced and quoted me $340.

The ball joints shipped to me are $100. I think that if I was able to lower my Lightning and all my Mustangs, I should have to problem swapping these.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

What was the approximate work time involved? The procedure looks straight forward that I may attempt it.. Is an alignment suggested after doing this swap?

LMS quoted me ballpark $325 for the lower ball joints.
The dealer was $500.

Thanks.

GRAND_LS 4

iTrader: (2)

wow, for 210, I had my lower ball joints, outer tie rods, and stablizer links changed. They also installed my L-sportline springs and shocks. But thats labor only, im not sure if you meant parts + labor.


Btw, the lower ball joints were $115 if im not mistaken.

GRAND_LS 4

iTrader: (2)

Wish i could advise you, but I changed so many parts at once, Im not sure which threw off the alignment, but Im pretty sure it was mostly due to the outer tie rods.

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

you shouldnt need an alignment after you change the lower balljoints unless they they mess with another suspension part like outer tie rods but then all you wuld have to do is mark the spots on the tierod before you remove them like he stated in the instructions

deanbrown

This is a bit of a newbie question, but what are the symptoms of a ball joint going bad? I've never had one go bad on any of my cars.

Dean

Lexizm

iTrader: (2)

The DIY write-up was great, well done. I've worked on cars before when I had my mustang, so I'm not afraid to tinker with the car a bit. It wasn't hard at all. The one thing I must say is that you must get the the tool (Pittman Tire Rod End Puller) at AutoZone or some other place. It was a life saver. I can't imagine doing this job without it. The first one (driver side) took me a while because I broke a adapter and had to go to the store waaaay across town. Suggestion, always use 1/2 inch rachet and sockets; I learned the hard way. Oh, also the 'big/large' bolt under the the ball joint for GS's is a 17 or 19mm, 19mm I believe, not a 27mm. Other than that,everything was dead on. Great DIY post

Check my post:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...2&page=5&pp=15

ARISTO 161

iTrader: (3)

awesome write up!!!

now i don't need to ask for the copy of the repair manual!!!!!!

thanks man.
now i can go and do my own. good thing someone told me about this thread, or else i would have tried posting it up ;p

Suneet

Never saw this thread before, but it seems like very useful info. I'm thinking of doing my CA bushings soon. I thought I would take out the CAs, remove the bushings myself, and go to a shop to see if they can press in the new ones for me, and then reinstall the CAs. Should I do these ball joints also at the same time?

Lexizm

iTrader: (2)

Well I would say it really depends on how many miles are on your car. If I was going to have the bushingspressed out and replaced, I would definitely go for it bro.

Suneet

I've got 183K miles on my car. I'm going to press out the bushings myself using the "drill and crack" method, and get them pushed in by someone else.

So these are the ball joints that are in the lower control arms? I was under the impression that you had to buy new control arms, and that you couldn't buy the ball joint seperately? What about the upper ball joints? Are those available?