Front Suspension - What to Replace
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From: CA
Front Suspension - What to Replace
Do lower control arms ever go bad? I am looking into replacing only what is necessary on a 1st gen Lexus that has 100K plus miles on it and a worn front suspension. I cannot find aftermarket parts to replace the lower control arms, so was thinking of replacing only the upper control arms, the tie rods and the sway bar bushings and links. The strut rod bushings have already been replaced. Just wondering if there is any other part or parts that I should look to replace to get improvement in the ride (and to get rid of a clunking noise when driving on rough roads with potholes). Thanks in advance for any advice/info.
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Joined: Aug 2015
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From: Florida
Do lower control arms ever go bad? I am looking into replacing only what is necessary on a 1st gen Lexus that has 100K plus miles on it and a worn front suspension. I cannot find aftermarket parts to replace the lower control arms, so was thinking of replacing only the upper control arms, the tie rods and the sway bar bushings and links. The strut rod bushings have already been replaced. Just wondering if there is any other part or parts that I should look to replace to get improvement in the ride (and to get rid of a clunking noise when driving on rough roads with potholes). Thanks in advance for any advice/info.
I got my 98 with 248k on it and the driver side lower control arm bushing was toast! (refer to picture) They can go bad from wear, previous owner hopping curbs on the reg, etc. Definitely not something to overlook. I got lucky and found an aftermarket pair of front lower control arms for $150 shipped on ebay. They've held up just fine, but they are for 95-00 cars
I'd also recommend LCA, UCA & BJ, Lower Ball Joints, Strut Rod(Bushings) & Tie Rods (inner and outer).
Last edited by Scraape; Jan 2, 2018 at 07:36 PM.
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Driver
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: CA
yes, they absolutely go bad. I know you have a 1st gen so front suspension may be slightly different from mine.
I got my 98 with 248k on it and the driver side lower control arm bushing was toast! (refer to picture) They can go bad from wear, previous owner hopping curbs on the reg, etc. Definitely not something to overlook. I got lucky and found an aftermarket pair of front lower control arms for $150 shipped on ebay. They've held up just fine, but they are for 95-00 cars
I'd also recommend LCA, UCA & BJ, Lower Ball Joints, Strut Rod(Bushings) & Tie Rods (inner and outer).
I got my 98 with 248k on it and the driver side lower control arm bushing was toast! (refer to picture) They can go bad from wear, previous owner hopping curbs on the reg, etc. Definitely not something to overlook. I got lucky and found an aftermarket pair of front lower control arms for $150 shipped on ebay. They've held up just fine, but they are for 95-00 cars
I'd also recommend LCA, UCA & BJ, Lower Ball Joints, Strut Rod(Bushings) & Tie Rods (inner and outer).
Last edited by PlotPoint; Jan 2, 2018 at 08:14 PM.
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Driver
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: CA
I found aftermarket LCAs for first gens on eBay (probably the same seller you (Scraape) got them from since they are the same price -- $150). I sent a query to the seller trying to get a brand name. Just says 'aftermarket' and 'good quality'. We shall see.
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From: Chandler, AZ
I saved a lot of money by replacing only what was needed, the bushings. Febest makes a bushing that presses into the LCAs for about $18 a piece. You'll just need to press them into and out of the control arms.
If you get a 12 Ton press from Harbor Freight, it'll save you a ton of money down the road when you consider all the uses you can do with it. Wheel bearings can also be pressed in/out.
If you get a 12 Ton press from Harbor Freight, it'll save you a ton of money down the road when you consider all the uses you can do with it. Wheel bearings can also be pressed in/out.
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From: Florida
I run these control arms on my car and haven't had any issues
Like Losiracer2, I just pressed new bearings into the LCA's. Toyota Genuine parts: 48654-50010
There is a thread on here with tons of measurements and pics to show how to do it. I do not have a hydraulic press. Just used a rental C-clamp press from PepBoys.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...ml#post9818498
Improved things, but did not solve my clunking problem. Turns out, it was 4 loosened nuts/bolts(I forget) in the big Aluminum cross member that goes from left to right under the rear of the engine. Easily accessible when looking under the car. If you just put a socket on those, you might feel them to be loose, like I did. That solved it for me. I had looked so far and wide under there, and it was funny that it ended up being such a simple fix once I found the problem.
My '91 with 197k miles still has most of its original parts and is running very well. So I would advise against just replacing tons of parts before doing your best to figure out what is worn out. Tough to figure this out, I know, but chances are that most parts are still good.
There is a thread on here with tons of measurements and pics to show how to do it. I do not have a hydraulic press. Just used a rental C-clamp press from PepBoys.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...ml#post9818498
Improved things, but did not solve my clunking problem. Turns out, it was 4 loosened nuts/bolts(I forget) in the big Aluminum cross member that goes from left to right under the rear of the engine. Easily accessible when looking under the car. If you just put a socket on those, you might feel them to be loose, like I did. That solved it for me. I had looked so far and wide under there, and it was funny that it ended up being such a simple fix once I found the problem.
My '91 with 197k miles still has most of its original parts and is running very well. So I would advise against just replacing tons of parts before doing your best to figure out what is worn out. Tough to figure this out, I know, but chances are that most parts are still good.
Last edited by oldskewel; Jan 3, 2018 at 01:19 PM.
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