Dorman upper front arms: $142.24, pair! Delivered!
#1
Driver
Thread Starter
Dorman upper front arms: $142.24, pair! Delivered!
I've been researching UCRs for my 95 SC-400. I really only need bushings but do not want polyurethane. I'm old. I like my ride soft like my butt.
I stumbled upon the Dorman arms and saw a post in the LS forum where a member contacted Dorman and actually spoke to a tech rep. They were told that these were engineered in USA, built in Taiwan. Then I went to the Dorman site and confirmed the application. The Dorman numbers are 520-443 and 520-444. Did two google shopping searches (using the term Dorman and each number separately) and found the best delivered price at Partsgeek. There are several others selling at almost that price but I'm cheap so I waded in.
The only problem at partsgeek is that you must enter their site from the google link directly to fill your cart. Put the first part in your cart, exit the site, click the google link for the next part and drop it into your cart. When you view the cart it all looks wrong. The Dorman number only appears on one item, and the model years for each item are different. Just be sure you are getting the correct two Dorman numbers and you are ok. Checkout and you are done.
Partsgeek's site searches will not find these items for my car. They identify them as only fitting earlier models, sc300 only, it's a mess. If you don't want to hassle try a more expensive site that makes it easier.
Anyway, thought I'd pass it on. This forum has given me a lot and I wanted to contribute back for a change. I'll update this post when the Dorman arms arrive. If anyone wants my old oem arms drop me a note. The ball joints are still good so the could be rebushed. I've got a sc400 parts car so I really don't need more around.
I stumbled upon the Dorman arms and saw a post in the LS forum where a member contacted Dorman and actually spoke to a tech rep. They were told that these were engineered in USA, built in Taiwan. Then I went to the Dorman site and confirmed the application. The Dorman numbers are 520-443 and 520-444. Did two google shopping searches (using the term Dorman and each number separately) and found the best delivered price at Partsgeek. There are several others selling at almost that price but I'm cheap so I waded in.
The only problem at partsgeek is that you must enter their site from the google link directly to fill your cart. Put the first part in your cart, exit the site, click the google link for the next part and drop it into your cart. When you view the cart it all looks wrong. The Dorman number only appears on one item, and the model years for each item are different. Just be sure you are getting the correct two Dorman numbers and you are ok. Checkout and you are done.
Partsgeek's site searches will not find these items for my car. They identify them as only fitting earlier models, sc300 only, it's a mess. If you don't want to hassle try a more expensive site that makes it easier.
Anyway, thought I'd pass it on. This forum has given me a lot and I wanted to contribute back for a change. I'll update this post when the Dorman arms arrive. If anyone wants my old oem arms drop me a note. The ball joints are still good so the could be rebushed. I've got a sc400 parts car so I really don't need more around.
#3
Lexus Champion
#6
Driver
Thread Starter
The sc400 upper control arms arrived as promised and they look great. I had no problems with partsgeek and just got a customer survey email from them. I did read the negative comments from the link above and was concerned. Most issues were regarding incorrect parts being hard to return. I would therefore try to verify the application from the manufacturers site if you want to minimize that risk. In my case I had to anyway as described earlier.
Time will tell regarding durability but speaking as a lifetime mechanic I'm impressed by the parts appearance. I'll post again after I get them installed.
Time will tell regarding durability but speaking as a lifetime mechanic I'm impressed by the parts appearance. I'll post again after I get them installed.
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vntperform
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10-06-11 07:29 PM