Can failing upper ball joints cause a safety issue?
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Can failing upper ball joints cause a safety issue?
My upper ball joints need replacement, lexus has told me twice now, just the other day it started to make noise going in dips and potholes, it's the first think I plan on doing after I get tires, but due to limited income at the moment it may take me a month or two to save up enough, since they're like 700 a pair.. Can my wheel collapse like if the lowers break? I know the uppers are the non load bearing ones but just don't wanna mess up my car, thanks for input.
#2
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: PA
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I personally think you should replace them asap. My right lower ball joint messed up when I made a small turn. Luckily I was only going 10mph... 700 a pair including install?? you can take it to local shop and have them do it for like 30 bucks each or something. Buy the ball joints from somewhere else such as rockauto or something...
#3
Instructor
Thread Starter
I personally think you should replace them asap. My right lower ball joint messed up when I made a small turn. Luckily I was only going 10mph... 700 a pair including install?? you can take it to local shop and have them do it for like 30 bucks each or something. Buy the ball joints from somewhere else such as rockauto or something...
#4
Are you talking about the ball joints on the upper control arms? Do yourself a favor and read the "sticky" threads at the top of the thread page. Long story short....yes there is a huge safety issue. Also save yourself some money and read some DIY on replacing upper control arms. Its not that hard. My suggestion....especially considering Lexus has already warned you twice now....fix them now. Not in a month or 2. You are going to cause major damage to the rest of your car, potentially yourself, and other drivers on the road.
#5
Instructor
Thread Starter
Are you talking about the ball joints on the upper control arms? Do yourself a favor and read the "sticky" threads at the top of the thread page. Long story short....yes there is a huge safety issue. Also save yourself some money and read some DIY on replacing upper control arms. Its not that hard. My suggestion....especially considering Lexus has already warned you twice now....fix them now. Not in a month or 2. You are going to cause major damage to the rest of your car, potentially yourself, and other drivers on the road.
#6
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (2)
Let me put it with way, any new aftermarket upper arm is safer than your 15 year old factory ones, especially if youve been driving on them way past their expiration date. Just replace it with aftermarket ones, or you cant wait, hope and pray nothing happens every time you drive your car, and eventually replace it with OEM ones.
#7
Racer
iTrader: (15)
Dude, just go for aftermarket. When mine were on their way out I bought SPC ADJUSTABLE upper control arms for less than half that and installed myself. Unlike the OEM ones the SPC arms will also allow you to just replace the ball joint, whereas the OEM ones you need to replace the entire arm.
This is not something you want to wait on. You can seriously f*** s*** up and put yourself at serious risk.
This is not something you want to wait on. You can seriously f*** s*** up and put yourself at serious risk.
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#9
Go for Moog....dude go onto RockAuto.com. They have great prices. Get the moog upper control arms. They are great quality. But it is important that you do this right away man. No joke the ball joints on our cars are one of the serious issues and your wheel will literally fall off.
#10
Instructor
Thread Starter
Go for Moog....dude go onto RockAuto.com. They have great prices. Get the moog upper control arms. They are great quality. But it is important that you do this right away man. No joke the ball joints on our cars are one of the serious issues and your wheel will literally fall off.
#11
Dude moog is an awesome product. Just as good as OEM. Almost every member on here probably goes with moog over the OEM for this particular part. Don't worry about the ride it will be just fine. Moog makes quality products that will last and rockauto.com has the best prices you will find.
#12
Instructor
Thread Starter
Dude moog is an awesome product. Just as good as OEM. Almost every member on here probably goes with moog over the OEM for this particular part. Don't worry about the ride it will be just fine. Moog makes quality products that will last and rockauto.com has the best prices you will find.
#14
Here you go bud. First link is the youtube video....2nd link is the DIY write up. And for the future you should use the "search" option at the top of the forum page because almost anything you want to know has been answered on here before. And unfortunately a lot of members will harshly let you know you should search lol
Video
DIY Write Up
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sus...l-arm-diy.html
Video
DIY Write Up
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sus...l-arm-diy.html
#15
Racer
iTrader: (15)
Here's a link for SPC adjustable arms for $350 shipped. this will allow you to adjust camber and caster and you can buy the ball joints seperately if needed down the road.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/SPC-Front-Upp...vxp=mtr&_uhb=1
They've recently redesigned their arms. Here's how they currently look
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/SPC-Front-Upp...vxp=mtr&_uhb=1
They've recently redesigned their arms. Here's how they currently look