sndlight

I have owned my LS for over a year. I noticed some sloppy handling and wandering in my front suspension shortly after I bought it. I also have vibration issues but those are in the rear.

Taking a look at the strut bars. I noticed they are all twisted and nearly touching other parts around where it sits. It has looked like this since I bought it; had an alignment a few months ago and that didn't solve anything. It looks like these have to do with the camber of the wheels. Are these supposed to look like this?

95 LS original strut bar cushions, 132k mi

sndlight

Forgot to mention. Outer tread of tire is wearing faster. On each side. Indicatin g either positive camber or toe problems. Visually I can see positive camber.But I am no expert. Any help would be appreciated. Even a pic of your strut bars will help me!

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

'95-00 front strut rod bushings are a common wear item. Pry the bar and look at the bushing, if it's torn it's toast.

peace101

That is toast. Should be straight when new.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

If the front end has been lifted then the strut bars will be angled like this. As PD mentions look at the bushing for cracking.

dicer

Doesn't look good

sndlight

The car was off the ground when that pic was taken. The bushing is not cracked; I will take a look at it later tonight with the wheels on the ground. I have a set of new rubber cushions sitting in my garage that I sourced from fleabay. (taiwan). I will update if I ever find a shop around here to press em in for me.
Thanks to all of you for your help

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

the polyurethane strut rod bushings from ADUS are complete crap.

OEM Lexus bushings are only ~$35/each though.

sndlight

Nope, they're not poly. I don't believe this car deserves poly anywhere except the sway bushes even if it is more cost effective. I have this set and I do believe it is natural rubber.
Check em out http://pages.ebay.com/motors/link/?n...380157&alt=web

sndlight

I have attempted to order OEM strut bar bushings and have had my order immediately canceled. They are discontinued.

brybo86

My strut bar bushings are not cracked but I get that clunk when cornering in a parking garage or when hitting speed bumps.

Mine are twisted exactly like yours when tire is lifted off the ground.

I am also wondering if I should try replacement.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

They are not, your parts guy is just an idiot.
Search other threads for the correct part numbers, can be ordered from any good lexus dealer. I've used Carson toyota in Carson, CA for most of my parts.

The bushings you listed are front lower control arm bushings, not strut rod bushings. completely different.

sndlight

Right, they are lower control arm bushings, but there's 4 bushings in the set. And there's only two lower control arm bushings on my car. I bought them with an educated guess that the other 2 bushings are for the strut rods.

sndlight

You are entirely right. The twisting is normal. I set a jack under my lower ball joint and lowered the front of the car onto it:



No cracks in rubber, everything looks fine if weight of car is on it.

I don't hear thumps or clunks. I don't think mine are bad yet.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

terrible guess. Listing even says it's 4x the same part number. it's just a cheap kit for 2x front LCA.


the front strut rod bushings are noticeably larger than the LCA bushings. But good luck.