Warning To All 2nd Gen Gs Owners
10-14-07, 02:45 PM
#77
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Location: CA
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I just replaced both ball joints on 98 gs4. My brother works for firestone and we found out that the ball joints on gs's are problematic and needs to be replaced onces you start hearing creeks or squeeks on the front. It was on their bulleting update.
10-16-07, 12:21 PM
#78
j.tom:
I posted the link for the DIY ball joint replacement on page 4 please go look for it. It should have pictures on there.
bmpiazzola:
I attached a close up picture of the ball joint for you hope it helps if not let me know and I'll try to enlarge it if I can. Also let me know what you've come up with.
g4inrich:
This happend to you to? Where it accutually gave out like mines did? If so post some pictures and we'll take in acct. what happend because we're trying to bring it up to Lexus's attention.
If anyone know someone that this had happend to refer them to this post. Thanks.
I posted the link for the DIY ball joint replacement on page 4 please go look for it. It should have pictures on there.
bmpiazzola:
I attached a close up picture of the ball joint for you hope it helps if not let me know and I'll try to enlarge it if I can. Also let me know what you've come up with.
g4inrich:
This happend to you to? Where it accutually gave out like mines did? If so post some pictures and we'll take in acct. what happend because we're trying to bring it up to Lexus's attention.
If anyone know someone that this had happend to refer them to this post. Thanks.
I will quote his email below.
"If I had to take an educated guess I would have to say that the squeak
noise
comes from a dry ball joint socket that generates heat and friction as
the
weight of the car goes up and down 500 + times every mile then when the
steering is turned with the hydraulic assist and the ball has heated up
and
started to lockup and dose not turn in the socket all the force sheers
the
threaded shaft off. after it fly's off the car and cools down it will
turn
again. I can tell you from experience that a little heat helps when
trying
to snap off large locked up nuts and bolts. The picture is hard to tell
but
I bet if you could hold the ball joint both pieces it would have a
twist
look to it. I did see a Lexus on I26 that the cable system just
completely
ate the car up and I did notice the right front wheel was missing that
must
be a fun ride at 85mph does this mostly happen to the right front side
I
would bet so."
Can you see any kind of "twist" that would suggest this theory is correct??
Anyway... what do you think???
BP
10-16-07, 12:26 PM
#79
I have shown your pictures and shared our concern with my brother who is an ASME cert. Mechainic and Runs a dealership. I think he has come up with a very good guess as to what is going on.
I will quote his email below.
"If I had to take an educated guess I would have to say that the squeak
noise
comes from a dry ball joint socket that generates heat and friction as
the
weight of the car goes up and down 500 + times every mile then when the
steering is turned with the hydraulic assist and the ball has heated up
and
started to lockup and dose not turn in the socket all the force sheers
the
threaded shaft off. after it fly's off the car and cools down it will
turn
again. I can tell you from experience that a little heat helps when
trying
to snap off large locked up nuts and bolts. The picture is hard to tell
but
I bet if you could hold the ball joint both pieces it would have a
twist
look to it. I did see a Lexus on I26 that the cable system just
completely
ate the car up and I did notice the right front wheel was missing that
must
be a fun ride at 85mph does this mostly happen to the right front side
I
would bet so."
Can you see any kind of "twist" that would suggest this theory is correct??
Anyway... what do you think???
BP
I will quote his email below.
"If I had to take an educated guess I would have to say that the squeak
noise
comes from a dry ball joint socket that generates heat and friction as
the
weight of the car goes up and down 500 + times every mile then when the
steering is turned with the hydraulic assist and the ball has heated up
and
started to lockup and dose not turn in the socket all the force sheers
the
threaded shaft off. after it fly's off the car and cools down it will
turn
again. I can tell you from experience that a little heat helps when
trying
to snap off large locked up nuts and bolts. The picture is hard to tell
but
I bet if you could hold the ball joint both pieces it would have a
twist
look to it. I did see a Lexus on I26 that the cable system just
completely
ate the car up and I did notice the right front wheel was missing that
must
be a fun ride at 85mph does this mostly happen to the right front side
I
would bet so."
Can you see any kind of "twist" that would suggest this theory is correct??
Anyway... what do you think???
BP
Is he ASE certified?
10-16-07, 12:28 PM
#80
YES ASE sorry.. I am an engineer and work with ASME coded vessels.. ASME is American Society of Mechanical Engineers.. www.asme.org so sorry about that and thanks for the correction...
BP
BP
Last edited by TRD911; 10-17-07 at 04:48 AM.
10-17-07, 05:50 AM
#83
Pole Position
The ball joints on the 2GS are not that problematic but they are a wear and tear item. Do they wear quicker than they should? Maybe. I can tell you that under normal conditions they will last over 100k without problems. Lowering your GS will absolutely reduce their service life. Every single GS we've replaced ball joints on have been lowered, and I mean every single one of them.
A recall is federally mandated by the government. In order for there to be a recall there must be reports of serious injury or death (or fire) caused by the defect. Again, if the problem is caused by the consumer modifying their car the government cannot hold the manufacturer responsible. Still, Lexus being Lexus, they may look at it on a case by case basis.
A recall is federally mandated by the government. In order for there to be a recall there must be reports of serious injury or death (or fire) caused by the defect. Again, if the problem is caused by the consumer modifying their car the government cannot hold the manufacturer responsible. Still, Lexus being Lexus, they may look at it on a case by case basis.
10-17-07, 06:56 AM
#85
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=153536
10-17-07, 10:13 PM
#87
I have shown your pictures and shared our concern with my brother who is an ASME cert. Mechainic and Runs a dealership. I think he has come up with a very good guess as to what is going on.
I will quote his email below.
"If I had to take an educated guess I would have to say that the squeak
noise
comes from a dry ball joint socket that generates heat and friction as
the
weight of the car goes up and down 500 + times every mile then when the
steering is turned with the hydraulic assist and the ball has heated up
and
started to lockup and dose not turn in the socket all the force sheers
the
threaded shaft off. after it fly's off the car and cools down it will
turn
again. I can tell you from experience that a little heat helps when
trying
to snap off large locked up nuts and bolts. The picture is hard to tell
but
I bet if you could hold the ball joint both pieces it would have a
twist
look to it. I did see a Lexus on I26 that the cable system just
completely
ate the car up and I did notice the right front wheel was missing that
must
be a fun ride at 85mph does this mostly happen to the right front side
I
would bet so."
Can you see any kind of "twist" that would suggest this theory is correct??
Anyway... what do you think???
I will quote his email below.
"If I had to take an educated guess I would have to say that the squeak
noise
comes from a dry ball joint socket that generates heat and friction as
the
weight of the car goes up and down 500 + times every mile then when the
steering is turned with the hydraulic assist and the ball has heated up
and
started to lockup and dose not turn in the socket all the force sheers
the
threaded shaft off. after it fly's off the car and cools down it will
turn
again. I can tell you from experience that a little heat helps when
trying
to snap off large locked up nuts and bolts. The picture is hard to tell
but
I bet if you could hold the ball joint both pieces it would have a
twist
look to it. I did see a Lexus on I26 that the cable system just
completely
ate the car up and I did notice the right front wheel was missing that
must
be a fun ride at 85mph does this mostly happen to the right front side
I
would bet so."
Can you see any kind of "twist" that would suggest this theory is correct??
Anyway... what do you think???
10-18-07, 12:08 AM
#88
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: CA
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Yup the GS400 ball joints are sealed. But there is no reason for it to dry up unless the boots have leaked out all the grease. I just really think it was a poor design in terms of engineering. But other than that, the GS4 is a great ride.
10-18-07, 12:51 AM
#89
A recall is federally mandated by the government. In order for there to be a recall there must be reports of serious injury or death (or fire) caused by the defect. Again, if the problem is caused by the consumer modifying their car the government cannot hold the manufacturer responsible. Still, Lexus being Lexus, they may look at it on a case by case basis.
__________________
2007 IS350
Starfire Pearl
Sterling interior
ML
Nav
Luxury Pack.
That f***in sucks. Only a recall would be set into play when somebody dies, a shame that "what if" doesnt matter. I was a turn away from gettin on the highway and "V8'ting" it to work. I got pics of mines coming for u guys. Shi* looks exactly like my boy Trans, fender, wheel, even the dust...crazy, I kno.
__________________
2007 IS350
Starfire Pearl
Sterling interior
ML
Nav
Luxury Pack.
That f***in sucks. Only a recall would be set into play when somebody dies, a shame that "what if" doesnt matter. I was a turn away from gettin on the highway and "V8'ting" it to work. I got pics of mines coming for u guys. Shi* looks exactly like my boy Trans, fender, wheel, even the dust...crazy, I kno.
Last edited by G4inRich; 10-18-07 at 12:55 AM.
10-18-07, 06:24 AM
#90
You are correct that this is not a greesable item....
I am not sure how to connect the dots to this being an issue only to lowered or modified cars. When I removed mine I could not feel any slop and could not tell a difference in the ride at all....
BP.