I'm in the process of getting my LS430 Non-UL sorted and have vibrations at speeds around 50 to 65mph mainly along with a slight pull to the right. I got a free Hunter Road Force alignment check and the results are below. The technician who did the check said I needed new rear lower control arms and to replace the lower control arm bushing bracket(s) in the front to help with caster. You can see their handwritten notes below. I'm thinking I can just buy the bushings for the rear lower control arms and press the old ones out and get the new ones in with a ball joint press kit thing. Is that all that is needed? I'm not sure what exactly needs to be replaced on the front though. I'd like to save money and do this work myself but maybe I should just pony up the dough for an inspection at the local Toyota stealership? Can you guys tell what needs to be replaced just from this sheet or do you need to see the suspension parts themselves? Any help is appreciated.


My LS430 Road Force Alignment Check Results

 

I'm thinking that these two bushing brackets in the front need replacing? Looks like they are 48075-30030 and 48076-30030. I have lifted all four wheels and can not find any play when doing the 12/6 o'clock and 9/3 o'clock shaking. Any help is appreciated. As for the back, I'm currently on a tight budget and don't really have funds to replace rear lower control arms and would rather just press out/in new bushings (I watched a Chris Fix video and it definitely seems doable) than replacing whole lower control arms which I think is what is needed.




Front driver side

Front passenger side

 

A budget friendly alternative is to use ISF LCA bushings, which come with the bushings already pressed into an aluminum bracket.
LEXUS RC F/GS F GENUINE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHING 48075-24010 & 48076-24010, | eBay

The write up on install. Lower Control Arm Bushing Repair - Page 13 - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion

For the rear camber issue, seeing that even with negative camber they were not able to get toe in spec. I believe the actual issue is the rear upper control arm ball joints being worn out. I would have the upper ball joints checked for play before installing shorter control arms which can affect the articulation of the rear suspension.

 

Thanks! I did indeed buy the ISF bushing brackets and replaced the originals with them and it definitely seems to have helped with vibrations (especially at speed). That saved a good chunk of change. Will get the upper ball joints checked out before too long once I have some money. My next easy project will be replacing the transmission mount with a new Lexus one.

 

I made two short videos of the rear left and rear right suspension items, trying to focus on important things. Hoping not everything needs replacement. Lol. But I did the 12-6 and 9-3 wheel shaking and both wheels seem very solid.

 

That is a super cheap price for the two lower control arm brackets and RC F bushings.
I was planning on buying more polyurethane bushings alone from Figs for way more than that.
At that price everyone with an LS 430 should replace them.

Are those really Toyota parts?

Loren

 

I'm 98% sure they are legit Lexus 48075-24010 and 48076-24010 parts. I checked the prices on legit Lexus part websites and they were around $65 for each. So about $100 seems reasonable for new on eBay. Plus they came in plastic bags and had the Lexus labels with part numbers and such information.

 

I used the IS350 bushings as apposed to the ISF-GS-F bushings mentioned above as the -F bushings (I believe) use a higher durometer, stiffer, rubber. I felt the 350 bushings were a better match for the LS as the intended mission for the 350 and LS were both luxury and the axle weights and overall car weights were similar. I don’t have the part # as I replaced them several years ago. I think you would be happy with either the OEM, 350 or -F bushings as all would be new and in much better condition than what you currently have installed.
THAT BEING SAID, there is a little bit of movement allowed where the castor bushing bracket is bolted to the frame of the car. And the camber is not that far out… You might be able to just shift the bushing bracket a bit to get it in spec. IMO the bushings should still be replaced, but shifting the bracket might buy you a bit more time to evaluate your situation and come up with a solution that works best for you.

For the rear suspension, check ride height first before changing any parts. The rear suspension in our cars (and many others) gains camber as it is compressed. If the springs have sagged and they commonly do on ours. The suspension will be artificial “compressed” My 01 was .25 low in front and .75 low in back. My daughters 05 is lower than that in back.. I haven’t measured it but it is probably .5 lower than mine was. Mine was on the limit for NEG camber and hers is over the limit. There is one solution and one workaround for this that I have found. Replace the rear springs with new from the dealer. I am doing this with my 01. The workaround that I tried on my 01 to test the theory was to get FIGS shock spacers “lift kit” (FIGS # G1320). They quote the lift at .375 (3/8”) but with the INBD mounting position of the shock I believe the effective lift is a bit closer to .5’. After installation of the spacers the alignment is in spec.
The spacers will be transferred to my daughters car as she never hauls anything or has people in back, my car is used for long road trips, this past summer we did 7K miles in 2.5 weeks, So I tend to carry much more load and want fresh springs to help with that.

 

FYI worn out steering rack bushings will cause vibrations & steering wander, particularly noticeable when hitting a bump on the highway. Pretty easy DIY replacement but for some reason the part is hard to find, it's only listed for the 2003 LS but will fit all years, takes 2 per side. I replaced these on my 2004 430 and it 100% fixed my highway speed vibration issue.

45516-50040 right side
45516-50030 left side