A long day of repairs.
10-06-13, 07:40 PM
#1
A long day of repairs.
Today I finally got my lower control arms, motor mounts, rack n pinion/tie rods and stabilizer bar endlinks replaced. Also installed the supra TT shock/springs up front only. Ran out of time to do the rears. Honestly I can't see a drop at all. Maybe after its been driven a while I'll notice it.
Didn't take many pictures during the process but snapped a few afterwards.
Took my car to a friends house who has a nice shop with a lift.
A look with no control arms or rack. This is when we replace the motor mounts. The mounts are pretty damn easy to reach without the rack bolted on.
Both motor mounts were broken in the same place.
The bushings on the LCA's were shot.
With a small screwdriver you'd be amazed at how easy it was to move that metal sleeve around.
Now this is the sensor plate for the rack. This time last year the car received a new rack in Florida by the previous owners. Notice the color of the fluid dripping off the plate?? Might be an indication as to why this rack failed after only 17k miles.
Didn't take many pictures during the process but snapped a few afterwards.
Took my car to a friends house who has a nice shop with a lift.
A look with no control arms or rack. This is when we replace the motor mounts. The mounts are pretty damn easy to reach without the rack bolted on.
Both motor mounts were broken in the same place.
The bushings on the LCA's were shot.
With a small screwdriver you'd be amazed at how easy it was to move that metal sleeve around.
Now this is the sensor plate for the rack. This time last year the car received a new rack in Florida by the previous owners. Notice the color of the fluid dripping off the plate?? Might be an indication as to why this rack failed after only 17k miles.
10-06-13, 07:46 PM
#2
The change in how it drives is freakin amazing. It desperately needs an alignment but I was able to drive it home 35 miles without having to fight the steering wheel to keep it on the road straight.
The only complication we ran into was a cracked power steering hose from the reservoir to the pump. When we jacked up the engine to remove the mounts it cracked an already very hard and brittle hose causing it leak like crazy when I poor ATF down into it. Replaced it with some heater hose.
The only complication we ran into was a cracked power steering hose from the reservoir to the pump. When we jacked up the engine to remove the mounts it cracked an already very hard and brittle hose causing it leak like crazy when I poor ATF down into it. Replaced it with some heater hose.
10-06-13, 07:51 PM
#3
And by the way. The lower control arms I bought were new 1996 Supra control arms. Bolted right up to my 97 model with no issues. So if there are still any doubts about pre 97 LCA's fitting a 97 let me just say that PRE 97 lower control arms WILL FIT your SC.
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10-08-13, 07:42 AM
#8
10-08-13, 01:27 PM
#10
Before the removal they were fine and the car has about 117k miles on it. We used a pneumatic fork to break the ball joint loose which in turn busted the rubber boot around it. I already planned on hanging them in my garage one day as gear head decor haha.
10-09-13, 10:19 AM
#11
After changing out my control arms I really don't see why people go through the labor of just replacing the bushings. My 1996 supra LCA's cost $262 a piece from Elmhurst Toyota and it was bolt off bolt on. Direct fit on my 1997 SC400 and I have the advantage of brand new ball joints. These should last me the rest of the time I own this car. In my opinion it was the absolute best way to go so 97+ owners have options as well.
Last edited by Maserati; 10-09-13 at 11:26 AM.
10-09-13, 08:44 PM
#12
Take a look at this. Post #23 is important as it solidified my decision to purchase pre-97 Supra LCA's for my 97.
Honestly I don't why that thread is not Stickied.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sus...trol-arms.html
Also, I'm pretty sure balljoints are non-serviceable and can only be replaced with a new control arm.
10-09-13, 10:43 PM
#13
That is incorrect, the 94+ Supra arms bolt right on to the 98-00 SC. The balljoints cannot be replaced as they are permanently attached to the control arm like he said above. Good luck with the bushings too as most do not fit the 97+ arms without modification. There are maybe two vendors and the OEM replacement option for our year SCs.
Last edited by Dougspeed; 10-09-13 at 10:48 PM.
10-10-13, 09:57 AM
#14
That is incorrect, the 94+ Supra arms bolt right on to the 98-00 SC. The balljoints cannot be replaced as they are permanently attached to the control arm like he said above. Good luck with the bushings too as most do not fit the 97+ arms without modification. There are maybe two vendors and the OEM replacement option for our year SCs.
10-10-13, 02:09 PM
#15
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looking good! on that last pic of the rack "plate" all that needs to be cleaned out and it'll work better than before. that cylinder connected to it is the EVO unit, take it out and clean it too, there are small screens that can get clogged and gum up the internals of the rack. it's reccomended to clean the rack at 80,000 miles. no one ever really does.
I've rebuilt balljoints on other cars. I dunno about the SC/Supra balljoints because I havn't taken them apart. I have a extra tie rod I could rip open but dont want to cuz it's still good. most balljoints when you remove the boot you can see the c-ring clamps and assembly that holds the ball joint, replace everything, regrease and reboot and thats it. same technology on 100's of diffent cars domistic import alike. one day I want to see just how "permenent" these balljoints are most likly more trouble than its worth so new arms it is lol
I've rebuilt balljoints on other cars. I dunno about the SC/Supra balljoints because I havn't taken them apart. I have a extra tie rod I could rip open but dont want to cuz it's still good. most balljoints when you remove the boot you can see the c-ring clamps and assembly that holds the ball joint, replace everything, regrease and reboot and thats it. same technology on 100's of diffent cars domistic import alike. one day I want to see just how "permenent" these balljoints are most likly more trouble than its worth so new arms it is lol