gsCrazy

iTrader: (1)

i have about 144K miles on my '99 GS300 and it's about time i replaced my lower control arms. does anyone have the part numbers for them?

and what else would you guys recommend i replace while i'm at it?

just as an fyi, this is what i've replaced/added so far in regards to the suspension:
1. new ball joints
2. daizen sway bars
3. aristo strut bar
4. daizen steering bushings
5. tie rods
6. bilstein hd shocks with stock springs (rides spectacularly now)

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

which lower are you talking about? The one that the shock sits on, or the caster arm?

gsCrazy

iTrader: (1)

i thought there was only one. can you clarify? i know that our lower control arms take a beating but i didn't know there was more than one.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

The one that tends to go out is the Caster arm. Take a look under your car. You will see 2 arms. One that holds the bottom of the shock, and the other holding that control arm to the chassis. It'll make sense once you see it.

I'm in the process of replacing my caster bushin with the Daizen bushing because the OEM one will probably last until 60k only.

gsCrazy

iTrader: (1)

i gotcha. i know what you're talking about now. does it make sense to replace both though? and what do you think about the upper control arms... would they have worn out after 144k miles on our GSs?

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

They all deteriorate over time, but the caster is the biggest problem. The upper control arms do not fail as often. If you were to replace the whole suspension, it would cost you a grip load of money. The lower control arms (holding the shock) do not need to be replaced. If the bushing is shot, the dealer sells replacement bushings at $6 or so. Too bad they dont have replacements for other bushings.

I have about the same mileage on my car and my uppers are fine. They dont endure as much stress as the caster bushings.

gsCrazy

iTrader: (1)

hey gsteg, thanks for the quick replies! where are you located by the way? i'm in nyc.

also, the $6 dollar replacement bushing you mentioned in your last post is for the control arm that holds the shock, correct? and there is no replacement bushing for the caster arm?

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

No one makes a replacement bushing for the caster except Daizen and TRD. The only way you can get OEM caster is if you buy the whole arm.

And yes, the replaceable bushing is the one for the other lower control arm (where the camber bolt is located)

I'm in southern california.

gsCrazy

iTrader: (1)

anyone else replace other suspension components along with the caster arms? components that should be replaced? or need to be replaced at my mileage?

tomtsops

GSteg, did you do the work yourself, or did you take in to a shop?

to replace the lower control arm bushing (the OEM one for $6 bucks), do you need a press? I'm pretty sure you need a press for the caster arm.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

I had my buddy press out the bushing since he has a press at his shop, but I installed the arm back into the car.

tomtsops

how come i can't find the caster arm diagram in the service manual (or is it control arm #2? #1 being where the shock absorber bolts into, i might have the numbers mixed)

what do you need to take off in order to remove it?

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

The caster arm is the lower control arm #2.

You dont need to take off anything else, other than the OEM A-Brace.

tomtsops

thanks GSteg, did your buddy also press in the new bushing, or can you do it without it?

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

Only the caster really needs to be pressed in. Everything else can be done by hand.