Hey guys. Newbie here. I recently aquired a 98 with 116k on knowing it would need some work. I had it into Lexus today to investigate a front end vibration. They balanced all four tires and informed me of the need for strut rod bushings. I was seeing a slight vibration at highway speeds and more noticeable vibration during higher speed braking. I've also noticed some clunking/squeaking over speed bumps and drive entrances. Would you agree with the strut rod bushings? They quoted me about $600 (included alignment). That seems a little high just for bushings. I believe I have the tools and ability to change them myself and would like to try if the bushings are replaceable. I had the wheels off last week and notice the driver side strut rod is a little "cocked" rotationally at the bushing (I didn't look at the other side). Is that a sign of wear or is that normal?

Also, I'm in need of a service manual. I've seen some CD versions on ebay for cheap enough but I am leary of receiving copied crap. Any suggetions?

 

the work is so much just because to get to the stut bar u have to take a large amount of the front suspension apart including the entire knuckle assembly and part of the lower control arm/ball joint.

 

I just had mince done for $900 after taxes and an alignment.

 

hey SK, did ur bushing fail or was it just wobble+alignment issues?

mine has a slight wobble but i get this horrible creaking/groaning noise whenever the brakes were applied (even when not moving) that a lexus tech told me was the sway bar bushings going out since applying the brakes puts tension on the front susp. even when car isnt moving.

 

I don't know that I buy that. The brake operation is a simple squeezing on the rotor. You might check your calipers.

As far as the strut bushings, I was quoted $37.12 ea for them from lexuspartmall. I'd like to do this myself. Does anyone know what the chances are of the cam bolt coming out w/o damage? Also, what do you guys think of having a shop press out the old and in the new? I've got a friend with a nice screw press so I could go that route if it's not too bad of a job. I realize I'll probably need an alignment aftwards.

 

Back in the day about 2 years ago, I paid ~$425 for new strut bars, install and alignmeant. Job time was a little over 2 hours.

 

My wheels would rub when i reversed from the bushing not holding the wheel in alignment. Also had a vibration on the highway as well as hitting bumps caused the wheels to vibrate badly until i parked the car for a bit and it stiffened up.
Makes the car run amazingly smooth now.

It is not a hard job but i had mine done at the dealer instead of me doing it since mine was damaged by a stupid construction worker removing the asphalt. It had a 3 inch high ridge instead of a nice incline . On top of that they never marked the road with paint or had any signage.
I ended up bending my rims breaking some wheels studs and made the car hell to drive with completely destroyed bushings. Imagine running into that in the middle of the night.

 

damn dude, u get any compensation from the construction company/city?

 

The construction company "La farge paving" is not returning my calls so i called back the city who had them do the work and they are contacting them as they had specific peril insurance for just this kind of issue to be awarded the contract.
900 for strut rods and alignment
500 to fix the wheels
200 for a new stud air shipped as well as a new kit to replace the rest.

 

damn thats a real bad deal, make sure that they ante up