After buying my new to me 07 Lexus GS350 AWD, I took it for a more detailed inspection, to find that the front left inner tie rod needing to be replaced.
Are aftermarket Brands like MOOG reliable for these cars? Should I replace both sides? Should I also replace the Outer Tie Rods?
For a car with 80k Miles (129k Km) I'm surprised it already needs fixing.

Are there anything else I should replace while I'm under the car? Currently on my list are
1. Inner Tie Rods (Brand?)
2. Water Pump, Pulley & New Serpentine Belt
3. Spark Plugs
4. Oil Change with Synthetic 5W-30 (0-W20 for Winter) & Wix Filter

 

The factory water pump, according to several people here, tends to be weak and this is a good idea to replace it. The two next points are relevant too. I don't know tie rods a lot but I think at least the first production years of the GS have drivetrains that are a bit weak. Former owner of mine replaced the front suspensions, and the front CV axles boots are torn.

 

I would do an oem tie rod Ive heard bad storys of the new moog that comes from china. oem isnt that much more, I think on ebay there 60 or $70. Price them from the dealer, if there too high get the part number and do a search of that on ebay.

As for the water pump aisin brand is oem supplier, if you cant find oem at a good deal. Rockauto has them for under $90. I would do thermostat, serpentine belt, and tensioner pulley. 2 jugs of toyota pre mixed coolant

Sparkplugs try to avoid knockoffs and buy from a reputable source. Theres a bunch of fake oem and denso plugs that sell for $22, those are fakes.

For oil changes, try to keep your oil changes at 3-4k miles. Many who have oil consumption issues run their cars to 5k and more miles.

 

Thank you! Ordered: Aisin Water pump (WPT-137), Aisin Thermostat (THT-004), Dayco Idler Pulley (89158) and Gates Belt (K070610). I will get the spark plugs and 50/50 Coolant from Toyota
I cleaned out the MAF and Throttle Body, and surprised to see that much gunk from a low mileage car!

 

For plugs run the denso 3473 or the oe part number FK20HBR11 The 3gs is sensitive to plugs, and people have had issues with others. They run about 11-$12 each

If the cars intake is caked up, you run seafoam with the car warm through the intake manifold. If you pop off the engine cover, in the back you will find a blocked off vacuum line, undo the clamp pop it off. Find a vacuum hose that will fit that, pour 1/3 seafoam into a cup and with the engine running at idle, let that vacuum line vacuum the seafoam, once done turn off the car and let it sit for 30 min to hot soak and repeat. Do this before you swap the plugs and it will help clean your intake runners and valves. I do this every 2 years, I always feel the car run super smooth right after.