I have a 98 es 300 that just failed the safety inspection due to the lower control arm bushings. I read through the haynes manual and it seems like a pretty straight forward job. I was just wondering if anybody had any input on how tough of a job it really is. I have basic tools (sockets, jacks, etc) and have a little experience working on suspension.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

are you planning on replacing the bushings, or thw whole control arm.
if its just the CA, then yeah, fairly straight forward, but still a pita for the bolt closest to the rearend. and youll probably need more than just simple tools, for sure a breaker bar, torque bar.
goodluck
Charley

 

The manual says to just replace the control arms. I didn't know it was possible to just replace the bushings. How hard is it to replace the bushings?

Thanks

 

oh man, its a pita. trust me, if you dont have time for downtime, then dont do it. as if removing the lca wasnt difficult enough, youll need a press, a torch, some files, to remove all the old bushing, and press them in. the design of the lca is difficult making pressing in the bushings difficult.
ive done this route, while redoing the whole front end suspension of my 97 and my car was down for like 3 weeks, due to wrong parts being sent to me, and all that other mumbo jumbo crap.

btw, since youll be at it, i recommend getting new balljoints while youre at it.
goodluck
Charley

 

couldn't have said it any better than charley240 did. I actually replaced the bushings in one day thanks to a friend who had a press. The bushings are really cheap (less than 30 bucks i think?) compared to a whole new control arm (about 200ish EACH last time i checked). If money is an issue, replace the bushings. If time is an issue, then go the control arm route. gluck.

 

Okay, thanks for the info, I really appreciate it. We might try to tackle it this weekend.

 

I installed daizen's on my old sc400, and they actually slide in if you can get the old ones out. I figured out that with a few pieces of different sized pipe I could use the weight of my car (way heavier than an es) and a floorjack to press the bushings out and it was WAY easier than the torch and chisel method.

A press is SOOO much easier though, and if you have a spare ride like I do, it's easy enough to take them to the local shop and pay $25 to have the old ones pressed out and the new ones pressed in.

If you really want to get them done easily though, and cheaply, try these out at rockauto.com -- $77 per side and includes front and rear bushings, but not balljoints.

DORMAN Part # 520403 {Original Equipment Solutions #48069-33030, 48069-33031**

LEXUS ES300 (1997 - 2001)
TOYOTA AVALON XL 1997
TOYOTA AVALON XLS 1997
TOYOTA CAMRY (1998 - 2001)
TOYOTA CAMRY CE 1997
TOYOTA CAMRY LE 1997
TOYOTA CAMRY XLE 1997

 

i have a 97 es300 an I'm trying to lower it what would be the best way but not to expensive