Greetings from Australia.

I took my 2001 GS300 into my Lexus dealer for it's 80,000 km (50,000 mile) major service.

In their report they claim that my upper control arms are right on the limit of tolerance.

They want $2345 to replace both. OUCH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How can I check if they are actually worn? The car drives beautifully both on suburban roads and on the expressway. No vibration - very smooth.

Can an independent suspension specialist tell? Can they be rebuilt? Is there a reliable aftermarket supplier that you can personally recommend?

Help and advice please. Thanks

David in Australia

 

I'd say they are trying to soak you for an unneeded repair. If the car is riding smoothly, doesn't make clunking noises when going over bumps, and is tracking straight down the road, I wouldn't get it done. And you can get aftermarket parts that are way cheaper and just as good and have it done at private garage if you don't want to do it yourself. They do make bushings also instead of replacing the whole assembly but that can be a hassle to get the bushings out and new ones pressed in.

rockauto.com has several different brands, and I've heard good things about Beck Arnley parts.

 

Visually inspect and check for play at the bushings. Set the car on jack stands and with wheels off, visually inspect the bushings for cracks and tears then pry back and forth with some force ( a pry bar will do you good here) to try and see if the bushings are loose and worn out.
Good quality aftermarket parts are available online, and offer you some choices on how you can repair the part if needed.

 

^+1

Yeah, even if it WAS needed, that's an offensive quote!! If you ever want to lower your ride, adjustable ucas are the way to go. I'm running L-tuned, and just installed SPCs. Stock arms couldn't get in spec. The SPCs were $400US, and work perfectly within spec.

 

Thanks. Will check it out.

 

Found SPC's homepage. Great installation video on their website as well.

See http://www.spc-tv.com/install/luxury/47-72270.html

Will follow up.

Any other aftermarket recommendations?

 

I have had those on my car for over a year, but recently the drivers side ball joint started to go. Besides that they are good aftermarket replacement.

 

So what did you do about the ball joint Oleg400?

 

And how did you know it was going? Vibration? Uneven tire wear?

 

Cant you take your car to a local shop to make sure its going bad?

 

its more of a clunk noise when you rotate the steering wheel from full right turn to full left turn.

 

Nice thread. Very informative. I haven't replaced my control arm yet. Still runs smooth but there seems to be a knocking sound on the driverside everytime I drive on uneven roads. Wonder if anyone has the same issues...