Hi folks...I'm happy to report my 97 LS 400 with 250K fetched $800 as a trade in and I came home with a 2007 IS 250 that the dealer wholesaled to me because it had issues (brakes shot, CEL on and broken headlight mount). I installed new brakes, new O2 sensors and with the help of the forum, found the $20 headlight bracket fix instead of buying the $750 headlight! Thanks CL! I'm getting into the new wheels and see that one of the rear struts is leaking, so new struts all around is the next project. Can anyone recommend a ball joint removal tool/set? I had difficulty finding ones that would fit the LS so ended up pickleforking and trashing the seals...like to avoid that this time.

As an avid DIY'er like yourself, I always purchase the tools to do the job myself. With that said, "specialty" tools such as a ball joint separator I cannot see spending the big bucks on a Mac Co, Snap-On, etc brand since I'll only use a handful of times. For these items I find myself sourcing them usually from Harbor Freight. They hold up to the few uses I need them for and doesn't break the bank.

Exactly what GVille said.

I personally have the following Harbor Freight Ball Joint separator that I've used for my MR2. I'm not sure how it would perform on an IS, but it looks like it'd do the trick. It is VERY easy to use. Ball joint fork shaped separators are junk, same with the multi arm separators in my opinion.

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-4-qua...tor-99849.html