Older LS Handling
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,383
Likes: 11
Older LS Handling
Just drove my Fathers 90 LS with 217,000 miles.
He was complaining of some annoying audible suspension pops. My main concern was that cornering that caused any lateral movement resulted in some really scary camber changes that results in making the steering rather erratic.
Struts were first replaced with Tokicos at 125,000 or so. It may be time again.
Lower Ball joints have been done at least once. I seem to recall some lower control arm replacements but would have to check.
Upper Control Arms have never been changed, so my guess is that the upper ball joints have given up the ghost.
What is the story w replacement upper Control Arm Bushings? Is there an upper ball-joint off of the upper CA that is replaceable w/o buying a whole new unit?
He was complaining of some annoying audible suspension pops. My main concern was that cornering that caused any lateral movement resulted in some really scary camber changes that results in making the steering rather erratic.
Struts were first replaced with Tokicos at 125,000 or so. It may be time again.
Lower Ball joints have been done at least once. I seem to recall some lower control arm replacements but would have to check.
Upper Control Arms have never been changed, so my guess is that the upper ball joints have given up the ghost.
What is the story w replacement upper Control Arm Bushings? Is there an upper ball-joint off of the upper CA that is replaceable w/o buying a whole new unit?
Last edited by damon; Aug 10, 2005 at 01:23 PM.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,595
Likes: 271
From: Kansas
The current owner of my previous 90 LS has driven it to 213K miles on the original shocks. It seems odd that your father replaced the OEM ones at such a low mileage. My suggestion is to take the car to a reliable repair shop for evaluation. Yes, the total cost of the fix may be a couple of thou $ but that not unreasonable for a car this old.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,383
Likes: 11
It was a productive day on this front for the 90 LS.
Kansas, When the 125,000 mile oems were taken off of this car they took 2-3 seconds without weight to fully rebound. That is a worn out strut!
BTW: not the worst I have ever seen by a long shot. Helped a friend remove some oem shocks from a 42,000 mile Full size Blazer & there was absolutely no rebound from the shock piston while holding the strut by it's lonesome.
I have well learned my lesson since my immediate family has 3 LS 400's. OEM struts will go back on this 90 model.
A friend known to all on this forum quoted $510.00 (parts only) for 2 upper control arms ( 48610-50020 Rt. & 48630-50020 Lt.)
I am more aware than most that there are replacement bushings for the UC arms but from what I felt today the Upper Ball joints are shot. This is a potentially dangerous handling condition. New units at the price above start to look pretty cheap since there is no known upper ball-joint replacement solution. Translation, they make you buy the complete UC assembly.
As always Lextreme your Tutorials are a Godsend.
OEM front struts, replacement LC Arm Bushings , Lower Ball joints & new Strut Rods will complete the renovation.
Armed w knowledge you can sneek out for much less than a couple of "G's".
Kansas, When the 125,000 mile oems were taken off of this car they took 2-3 seconds without weight to fully rebound. That is a worn out strut!
BTW: not the worst I have ever seen by a long shot. Helped a friend remove some oem shocks from a 42,000 mile Full size Blazer & there was absolutely no rebound from the shock piston while holding the strut by it's lonesome.
I have well learned my lesson since my immediate family has 3 LS 400's. OEM struts will go back on this 90 model.
A friend known to all on this forum quoted $510.00 (parts only) for 2 upper control arms ( 48610-50020 Rt. & 48630-50020 Lt.)
I am more aware than most that there are replacement bushings for the UC arms but from what I felt today the Upper Ball joints are shot. This is a potentially dangerous handling condition. New units at the price above start to look pretty cheap since there is no known upper ball-joint replacement solution. Translation, they make you buy the complete UC assembly.
As always Lextreme your Tutorials are a Godsend.
OEM front struts, replacement LC Arm Bushings , Lower Ball joints & new Strut Rods will complete the renovation.
Armed w knowledge you can sneek out for much less than a couple of "G's".
Last edited by damon; Aug 11, 2005 at 01:49 AM.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,176
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota
$510 for both UCA's is a great deal. I just finished about 4 suspension tutorials, including Daizen front control arm kit install. Those Daizen bushings make a world of difference! 
http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/suspe...daizenkit.html
LOT's of work to install them though!
http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/suspe...daizenkit.html
LOT's of work to install them though!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,383
Likes: 11
You say front control arm kit. Is this for the lower control arms or the sway bar?
Thanks LexLS
And Thanks Darrel Diller of Sewell Dallas
ddiller@sewell.com
www.lexus-parts.com
Thanks LexLS
And Thanks Darrel Diller of Sewell Dallas
ddiller@sewell.com
www.lexus-parts.com
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,176
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota
Originally Posted by damon
LexLS,
So your saying you believe the Daizen bushings to be superior to the OEM bushing in a UC Arm?
Thanks, damon
So your saying you believe the Daizen bushings to be superior to the OEM bushing in a UC Arm?
Thanks, damon
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,383
Likes: 11
This is great info !(concerning your Daizen Bushing experience)
Problem I have is that I know the upper ball joints are history. Seems crazy to put forth the effort to remove the new bushings from the OEM UC arm & replace w the Daizens.
I always like to post part #'s
43330-59016-JOINT ASSY, LWR BALL
43340-59016-JOINT ASSY, LWR BALL
45700-50010-DAMPER ASSY, STEERING
48510-59017-ABSORBER ASSY, SHOCK F ea
48610-50020-ARM ASSY, SUSPENSION
48630-50020-ARM ASSY, SUSPENSION
48654-50010-BUSH, LWR ARM ea
48660-50010-BAR ASSY, STRUT, RH
48670-50010-BAR ASSY, STRUT, LH
Problem I have is that I know the upper ball joints are history. Seems crazy to put forth the effort to remove the new bushings from the OEM UC arm & replace w the Daizens.
I always like to post part #'s
43330-59016-JOINT ASSY, LWR BALL
43340-59016-JOINT ASSY, LWR BALL
45700-50010-DAMPER ASSY, STEERING
48510-59017-ABSORBER ASSY, SHOCK F ea
48610-50020-ARM ASSY, SUSPENSION
48630-50020-ARM ASSY, SUSPENSION
48654-50010-BUSH, LWR ARM ea
48660-50010-BAR ASSY, STRUT, RH
48670-50010-BAR ASSY, STRUT, LH
Last edited by damon; Aug 12, 2005 at 12:44 AM.
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