HowdyAudi

Guys, my LS400 is in a real pickle.

The front control arm bushings are shot and I have play in my ball joints (lower I think).
I went to my local Lexus dealer and they quoted me $890.00 for replacement. Thinking I would outsmart them, I called my local Toyota dealership and they quoted me over $1300!

Before you tell me to call my nearest independent Lexus mechanic let me inform you that I did extensive research on their business and discovered that they charge as much or more than Lexus themselves. I even call them to get quotes for recommended work before going to the dealer just to see what they charge and it has always been above what I pay at the dealer.

I don't know what to do. I have zero mechanical ability when it comes to big stuff like this. I don't even own a tool box.

So for things like ball joints and bushings which are fairly generic for all cars, would I be safe in taking it to a shop that specializes in brake and suspension work?

Please help me out. I cringe every time I hear that crunching noise from the front of my car. I don't want my wheels to fall off at highway speeds.

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

at this point, you should stop using your car, unless you are driving to the shop itself. are you certain it's the ball joint? did you get an assessment of the problem already? use what a shop told you, purchase the parts yourself on a website (i.e. rockauto.com) and have an independent mechanic (not necessarily a toyota/lexus specialist) install it.

or find a local member from your area, provide some beer, and work on it together!

HowdyAudi

My Lexus dealer diagnosed it. They lifted the car and showed me in person. The bushings are shot. The tech said there is play in the ball joints but it wasn't the worst he had seen. I use this car every day to commute to work which is all highway travel and includes one long sweeping curve taken between 70-80mph.

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

bushings are more tough to press out/in. most of the time members here simply purchase a new part (i.e. upper a-arm generic brand) which comes with new bushings. depending on how many bushings need replacing, $900 for parts and labor is not bad assuming they are using all original equipment (toyota/lexus) brand (they better be, they are the dealer!).

HowdyAudi

I just got back from my nearby brake/tire/suspension shop. They put the car on the lift for 45 minutes and checked all four corners to isolate the noise. They could not find a thing wrong with the suspension or steering. The adviser said if he was doing a state safety inspection the car would have zero trouble passing. I was blown away. Forty-five minutes of their time and not one penny was charged. Lexus had my car for 20 minutes and billed me $99.50. Just for fun I had him write up a job estimate for the bushings and ball joints which came to $1059.00 parts/labor with alignment. The guy said he wouldn't want to do the work unless it was actually needed. Bear in mind that it had started snowing when I left the house to have the car looked at and I was told that if bushings or ball joints are dry they can make noise and may be in need of lubrication and nothing else. Does that sound right? I've used these guys numerous times before with great results but I will go to one more business for a third opinion.

What do you guys think? Either my dealer is lying to me or the techs at Burt Brothers are blind.

anesthesia

From my experience, when it come to suspension work sometime it's not always clear cut, if your dealer quotes you at $890 and it's cheaper than everyone you asked, I take it to the dealer and call it a day, knowing work will be done right, plus they will guaranteed their work, also they have experience with these cars and you get a free loaner. Save the headache and drop car off at dealer.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

What year, how many miles on car? Suspension issues are often accompanied by creaking, clunking, thumping and uneven tire wear among the obvious symptoms. If your car does not exhibit any of this, then this service may not be a necessary expense. The dealer is hot to replace parts at selected miles even if it doesn't truly need it.