Hello, all. I'm a new member with an ES330 (2005) that has 82k miles.
I took the car in for an oil change to a Lexus dealer, and was told the bushings in the control arm (front) are almost gone, and that the replacement is $1200. I was thinking of selling the car anyway, and they gave me a very low price of $5500 for trade-in on a new Lexus. After discovering the flaw, I asked the sales manager what price they'd give me instead, and he said $5300. So it really costs them about $200 or so I gather to fix it (parts, which I've looked for online).
If I do sell it, hopefully I'd find someone who can do their own work (which I can't, given my lack of skills), but how dangerous is it to drive for another 2-3 months if need be? I asked and they said if the bushing went I could lose control of the car. True? Or would I just get wobbling of the wheel?

 

I'm not sure if the busings on a newer ES are different / difficult to do... but on my 92 model I removed the lower control arm and took it down to the mechanic to press the old ones out / new ones in.... This made it much cheaper for me! It might be possible to do the same on your ES330 if your able... It's was only a few bolts, the toughest being the axle nut, and maybe the popping the tie rod if it's difficult (tie rod separator helps)

Tho I think I've read of some newer lexus models replacing the entire control arm when the bushings are stuffed, perhaps lexus doesn't supply the bushings if so it might be possible to get aftermaket... no doubt someone who has experience with your model can say either way..

 

Many thanks, gtstcactus. I asked the mechanic why the whole arm has to be replaced just to replace a hard rubber bushing. He said they're made in one piece. Talk about the chain being only as strong as the weakest link... anyway, I appreciate the advice.

 

I believe the arms are serviced as a unit, even though the bushing can be replaced (press out press in) or the dealer could be just getting a little more money for less work out of you by doing the arm instead of doing just the bushing. At $1200 they should be doing the ball joints too, if you price all those parts out at full retail (not online discounted) $1200 is probably about right, of course at the dealer MSRP parts prices and labor rates there is a boatload of profit built in there. This is the stuff that keeps them in business. Pretty much anything at the dealer is $1000 or up.

 

Complete control arms from the dealer are very expensive over $300/side, and that doesn't even come with the ball joint. So retail the parts will be over $700 easy, toss in a few hours labour plus "shop supplies" etc. and you have a $1200 job.

Pressing in new rubber is a good idea if your car still have the factory control arms I've found the aftermarket complete units to be of questionable quality.
So true. When I go to the dealer to buy oil filters and the like I overhear stuff at the service counter, the prices people pay for simple stuff is mind blowing I don't understand why they don't try and find a good independent. Dealer prices are borderline criminal.

 

Greetings:

I've owned my 2003 Lexus ES300 for only 2 1/2 months but I'm learning daily. Without commenting on the mechanics of your dilema, one of the first lessons I learned is that the Lexus dealers (often referred to as "stealerships") charge way too much. If you get a quote from a Toyota dealer it will be for less. If you find a private garage with Toyota or Lexus trained mechanics the cost is likely to be even less.

Good luck and welcome,

Vic
Fort Myers, Florida

 

Try to do whatever you can yourself or go to a local mechanic. My wife had a check engine light 6 months ago for a thermostat. The dealer tried charging her $600!!!! I bought the stat myself and changed it in under 30 minutes. It's a shame how Lexus and Toyota treat people.

 

I believe on later model ES's the engine and transmission must be removed to replace the control arms. See this thread https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es3...placement.html