usoff89

iTrader: (2)

Ok, so I forgot to register with sewell..... After signing up, the price went down to $144.81each. Thats a pretty decent discount but I still dont understand why a part like this is so much? It is the cheapest I've seen though

j e f f

Well, I am wondering if I have bad strut bar bushings.

My '97 LS has a slight clunking occasionally but my front tires are "feathering" on the outer 1.5 inch of tread.
Could bad strut bars cause this?

166,000 mikes on the car and tires have just 5000 on them.
Don't know if I didnt get a good alignment or I have bad strut bars OR BOTH!

LScowboyLS

likely

j e f f

Thanks Cowboy, I am definitely hearing a light front end clunk over small bumps/rough surface parking lots at slow speed.
Mine is a 97 LS so that is a UCF20 model, correct?
Assuming that is correct, this would be the correct bushing I think... http://www.lexussouthatlantaparts.co...867450051.html

Now, I don't understand car suspension geometry as much as I understand trucks so can someone esplain what the strut bar controls?
I've got approx. 5000 miles on the tires; mostly city driving in the last 5 months with maybe 1000 miles of that on highway.
So I'm guessing that it affects turning/city driving more than straight line driving...

I'm also looking at KYB Excel-Gs but from what I've read here I may need a new alignment AFTER new shocks go on(somewhere I read from Puredrifter)

LScowboyLS

No - the correct p/n is 48674-40051

your local machine shop will have to remove the old bushings and install the new ones, and you must provide the diagram to them to show them how it must be properly clocked (oriented in 360 degree plane) - search earlier in this thread for that diagram

usoff89

iTrader: (2)

Cowboy, will I have to have a machine shop take off the bushings and install the new ones on my 93? I got the bushings from lexus over the weekend, and now just waiting on some time to work on it. My buddy at lexus said that he hasn't done them on an LS, but he thinks I should be able to get them off pretty easy, and the new ones just slide on?

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

no, 1st gen cars are totally different, and the strut rod bushings bolt in-out of the chassis.

usoff89

iTrader: (2)

Thanks PD! I noticed they bolted in, but wasn't really sure. Hopefully it will be a fairly quick job. Then all i have left is to do the tie rods and get it on the rack again.

dc893

Post up your results, please. I've gotta 92 and NEED to get mine done. I have the stupid clunk and its getting LOUD. Kinda strange it started right after my alignment at the dealer. Anybody know where else to get these parts? $156 seems expensive for this. Been searching for anything aftermarket to save a little $. I know everybody says stay away from aftermarket, but willing to take a chance if I can find something cheaper.

LScowboyLS

don't know of an aftermarket solution, and yes these are expensive on 90-94 so I think I would make sure this is the worn part, as opposed to lower ball joint, lower control arm bushings and and upper control arms, all of which could also cause a "clunk" - also rack bushings need to be looked at.

best price I have seen on p/n 48674-50030 strut bar bushing is $148 at Lexus of South Atlanta

usoff89

iTrader: (2)

As I posted in a previous post. Sewell is at $144.81 with the discount. I know its only a few dollars cheaper, but thats the cheapest I found online. I did however get mine threw a friend at lexus for $120 each before tax!

j e f f

Just got my new strut bars from Sewell with bushings already in place for my '97.
Great place to order from and $111 per side.

Any special instructions for the removal/install with bushings already in the bar?
(I probably missed some of this in 280 some posts in this thread...)

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

1-you can do this without removing the shock, just unbolt the lower bracket (not the top bolts) and lever the spindle down to give you clearance after you remove the lower shock bracket.
2-final torque on the bolt through the bushing needs to happen AFTER the car is resting on the ground, don't do it while the car's jacked up or you'll tear he bushing while driving.

Twista4004

Forgive me guys (if this has been answered already). I've read about the first 12 pages of this thread and my eyes started burning so I just had to post. I searched and didn't find anything specific...

All of these front end clunking noises over bumps you guys are hearing....I'm getting them from my rear. WTF?

Currently I'm in the fudge it all mind state and have been putting together a suspension kit for all corners. Gonna spend the rest of this year stocking parts to come as close to replacing the entire suspension as my wallet and my body's need for food can stand, but was wondering what the heck is causing this noise anyway.

Any thoughts?

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

carrier arm bushing and/or rear strut rod bushing.