Has anyone ever had a separation while driving?
Since I have a few of these cars decided to check things out better and learn some more about them. Talking 1st gen stuff here. I really like the cars and it surprised me that the front ends are designed the way they are. Just not smart reverse loading a ball joint like is done on the lower one. And there are essentially only 2 bolts per side taking the full weight of the front of the car and saying nothing about the shock loads from pot holes etc. Then there is that same weight pulling that ball joint through the socket. The control arm and knuckle assembly should have had the weight pushing down on the ball joint, not good. I found these. To show what could happen.

http://www.carsafetyreference.com/lexus-ls400-1997/

 

ball joint failure is prone if not properly maintained. annual inspections are recommended to check for play and overall condition. lowering the car emphasizes this need since the joints see more stress.

usually the balljoint itself fails similar to the first video. rarely does the assembly fail at the point where it's bolted to the knuckle. driving habit, road condition, and the like all contribute to it.

 

Its still kinda scary, I really wish they would have flipped them the other way, all the weight is on that socket hole opening and those 2 bolts that hold the ball socket to the spindle knuckle. Where is everyone getting the replacements? Dealer?

 

got mine at the dealer (sewell) since it fits well. there are aftermarket brands which are suitable (especially for 1st gen, get raybestos, still made in japan).



the newer LS models have flipped the assemblies.

UCF30 LS430

 

it doesn't matter if the assembly is flipped, the spindle is no longer attached to the LCA and it's going to cause an accident regardless.

 

Wow the newer ones are much better, except for having the 2 highly loaded bolts. So what prompted them to flip the ball joint over to the correct side? Why not in the very beginning?

 

If you see the photo the lower control arm is basically resting on the ball joint instead of pulling it out of the socket like on the gen 1's. It is highly unlikely that it will separate because all the weight is holding it together not pulling it apart.

 

really, because the ~1/4in. square area on the top of the ball joint is a secure surface and is going to hold everything in place?

It was positioned as such in later LS' for suspension geometry, nothing more.

 

The mark 555 means a company named Sankey Industry Co. ltd. As far as I know, none of their products are accepted by Toyota. They only manufacture aftermarket parts. According to shop owners around here, their quality is so so and the cost performance is good but they also say, "We can see why Toyota doesn't accept their products".

 

I guess its similar to a trailer hitch ball with the trailer tongue pushing down on it to keep the system in engagement, and the lock representing the opening in the ball joint socket. In this example you'd much rather the system be like that, than flipped and the ball on the bottom like my Gen 1 ls400's are, there would be lots of trailers coming loose if they were like that.

 

good to know yamae. even though toyota themselves do not accept their products, i would much rather use this stuff over parts made in china where manufacture quality is even less! regardless i always go OEM toyota/lexus on important bits.