L8RSk8R

Parts guy tells me they are not a serviceable part, have to order a complete steering rack :/
Then I'm told I could order 2003 LS430 bushings as they are identical?

Do I order 2003 bushings?, they'll have them in by next Friday.
or
Is there an aftermarket alternative to OEM?

Part # 45516C passenger side
Part # 45516A driver side

Cheers!!

L8RSk8R

What I really need is affirmation, that 2003 LS430 bushings will fit my 06 LS430.

Also, if anyone knows where I can find aftermarket replacements. I have the OEM bushings out of the rack right now, and would rather not have my car sitting idle until next Friday.

Lynzoid

You can try...
And no aftermarket for such parts (that would be stupid and unsafe)&

L8RSk8R

Fuggetaboutit!!
I went under the car this morning and checked for loose bolts. Passenger side bolt that connects the A Arm to the chassis was quite loose. This is what was causing the popping/creaking noise, and causing the steering rack to move excessively.
I assumed this movement was occurring due to weak bushings :/
Well, at least I learned how to remove & install the steering shaft etc.
Once I realized the bolt was loose and could be causing the issue, I re-mounted the original bushings, steering shaft & rack and went for a quick spin.
Voila, no issue with popping noise but the serpentine belt started squeaking after the car sat idle for 3 days.?
I recorded a before and after.
I'm gonna have the alignment checked (hopefully today). I'm pretty sure this bolt is related to alignment.


Before

After tightening the bolt & re-installing the rack.

Lynzoid

Good catch! Yes, it is a camber bolt. Get 4 wheel alignment and you're golden.

L8RSk8R

At the shop now, should be good to go soon.

Kira X

iTrader: (24)

Were the bushings still in decent condition when you checked them out? I've got an 05 and was considering getting some.

L8RSk8R

Yeah, they seemed to be fine. No visible wear etc.
I'm surprised there's not much to them.

Just picked the car up from the alignment shop, and it's back in business 100%.

As you can see in the 2nd video, there is a still a little movement at the bushing, I'd say it's normal.
P.S My car has 288,000 miles.

Lynzoid

It's not normal, there shall be no movement in the rack bushings... but for 288k miles it's ok. And i think you can use bushings from 01-03

Viper6

That movement in steering rack bushing is completely normal and matches my 2005 after replacing the bushings with 2003 type. The bushings in design have lugs at 180 degrees from each other and are oriented at 12 and 6 o'clock when installed (good pics on the thread lynzoid started on highway wandering so go take a look)... so side to side there is a gap between rubber bushing and outer race, so it crushes somewhat with those massive lateral forces... I assume this is part of the ride tuning of Lexus which adsorbs some of the unwanted lateral kick-back from the road to the steering wheel and gives you a more plush ride (engineered play in system). Trade off being less steering precision and feel at the wheel which matches the design goals for this car if you ask me (not a sports car). So the bushing design and slight play under large loads is exactly what Lexus engineered for our cars... that is my $.02.

Check my youtube video posted awhile back when I was trouble shooting a highway wandering sensation and you will see before pics of real warn movement... I replaced with 2003 type and it got more precise but did not fix the highway wander... trailing A-arm bushings were the culprit on my car and now it tracks straight as any 75k mileage car has a right to!

Glad you found your issue as a loose bolt, definitely get 4-wheel alignment due to the bolt that was loose and reap the rewards of not throwing parts at an inaccurate diagnosis of your probem like i did!

L8RSk8R

The bushings in design have lugs at 180 degrees from each other and are oriented at 12 and 6 o'clock when installed

Guess I screwed up. Installed the bushings with the lugs at 3 & 9 o'clock. My thinking was the lugs would provide a tighter fit and less lateral movement of the rack.

Lynzoid

that's an oops. do you have a copy of service manual? it's pointed out there by clever japanese guys.
i also remember these bushings having like small rubber protrusions 180deg from each other on the outside diameter. these should be aligned vertical


Viper6 - thanks for useful post!

Viper6

If you take out and re-orient to stock position... do back-to-back driving of highway and back roads and tell us what differences you feel, if any... I always wondered if I would have gotten more precise steering feel if I installed them the way you did instead of stock positioning... you can be our guinea pig!

L8RSk8R

I won't be doing that until a new rack or alignment is needed.

ipwn

I will try that out, also which bushes are the trailing a-arm bushes specifically that ar ementioned in that thread?