enigma94

iTrader: (1)

Hey guys, I thought there was a mother thread about this but I can't seem to find it. is there a preferred aftermarket LBJ that people have had success with for our cars? I know OEMs are far superior I just don't have $200 to drop on them right now and mine are really bad. I'll eventually buy some OEMs when I have the extra cash so I just need the aftermarket ones to get me by safely for a few months. I see Moog, Beck/arnley, and first line on Rockauto currently. Let me know what the best option is please!

Car is a 98 ls400

TIA!!

dicer

I'm going the Beck Arnley route for now, I have not got them yet. When I do I may have them checked for hardness and element content since I can do that for free. I plan on checking them real good since on gen 1's they are in tension that is not as good of design as the newer Ls's. I also plan on checking what came off for hardness etc. too. Its really too bad the ball joints don't have zerk fittings so they can be lubricated ever so often, then they would last longer. If a ball joint fails on these cars it could end up like the Duck and bus crash here in Seattle. The ball would be pulled through the socket and then the tire assembly would probably cause some damage to the car, because the lower control arm will be heading for the road if that happens, all the sprung weight is on that lower ball joint for that wheel. So that has to be 1000 pounds plus of static weight pulling on that ball, just think how much the shock load is like hitting a nice bump in the road with a fully loaded car its going to be many tons. The ball taper shank is not the problem so much as the socket it fits in I don't know how much metal surrounds it. Lots of cars in the past used that set up, I think its kinda scary I'd rather see the ball pushed into the socket. The upper control arm ball joint is not weight loaded it has a much easier life.

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

I got mine at partsmarvel on ebay

http://www.ebay.com/itm/301137922682?item=301137922682&viewitem=&vxp=mtr
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...y-1999-ls.html

dicer

Looks like a good manufacture, but where to buy them when no more on ebay?

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

what's wrong with you??? just click on the image and buy all you want.......

do you just hunt things to "click on" to run your numbers up??

dicer

I did and it says "4 AVAILABLE" So when the 4 are gone then what?

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

just hide and watch......

dicer

Okay just got the Beck arnley LBJ's and tie rod ends, look good and the tie rod ends are made in Japan, the LBJ's made in Taiwan, I feel many steps above the other over seas source. Not going to bother checking them for hardness.

McPierson

iTrader: (3)

Don't buy from OReily. The import direct I bought in June is already making noise when I turn.

enigma94

iTrader: (1)

Looks like I'll be going the Beck/Arnley route for now, thanks guys!