kevinfor

my 1999 GS400 Has 64k & the repair shop is telling me the lower ball joints are "very loose" - I have read the reports of them failing on others while driving anywhere from 74k - 120k miles...

my question is should I be using OEM or Moog ? I've read reports that the Moog parts are cheaply made in Korea and issues with Some part numbers starting with RK should be avoided.. here's the part # 's for OEM the quote I got - it's seems high

part # LE43330-39535 $134 each + $123 labor (each side) total both sides= $583.08

I am seeing parts from Master-Pro chassis, import-direct chassis & Beck/arnley and Dura-last from $44-$67 each from autozone & oreilly auto parts... - exact part # 's others have used would be helpful... I'm looking for high quality /long lasting.

should anything else be replaced at the same time (upper joints, arms or castle nut / cotter pin etc - or is the repair shop trying to rip me off..

kornpeef

what very loose? do you feel anything through the steering wheel when driving. if you raise the car and grab the tire at 12 and 6 with a pull push motion can you feel any looseness which would indicate loose ball joints? im not sure on this model for the lower ball joint u might just need a 17mm impact and a ball joint seperator and a hammer. maybe some oil penetrant . i would have them show you the lower control arm bushings. minor cracks ok but full tears need replacement. you can reu

kornpeef

what very loose? do you feel anything through the steering wheel when driving. if you raise the car and grab the tire at 12 and 6 with a pull push motion can you feel any looseness which would indicate loose ball joints? im not sure on this model for the lower ball joint u might just need a 17mm impact and a ball joint seperator and a hammer. maybe some oil penetrant . i would have them show you the lower control arm bushings. minor cracks ok but full tears need replacement. you can reuse the castle nut and cotter pin if you didnt destroy them taking them off.

saulgs430

You should replace them immediately. My 01 gs430's lower ball joint broke and it was very bad luckly i was goin about 5mph but i cant imagine what would happen if it was on the freeway..summit racing has them for about $34 a piece also replace both tie rods since its all there might as well do everything at once there about 15 a piece also from summitracing.com i recommend there parts they say made in japan so i assume good quality. Good luck to you get it done before its to late!

truviethug

iTrader: (1)

get the older moog ball joints and tire rods stamped 555 on it their made in japan. you can get them at advanced or autozone just make sure they are stamped 555

GS30inAZ

I replaced mine in Nov 2013 and have put about 8k miles on them since with no issues. I replaced both uppers and lowers from ebay I believe they were Meyle brand and were $175 shipped for both upper and lowers. I paid about $150 for labor and was on the road in no time. The lower passenger side one failed on me while I was driving down my in law's cruddy dirt road which jiggled the snot out of them going up and down that road for over a year anyway. Meyle hasn't let me down though I don't know how long they are rated for but did the trick for me.

BayAreaLex

I went with MOOG, no complaints here.

Just make sure you thoroughly grease them via the zerk fitting as they don't come greased.