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Hey Gronemus, I replaced the driver's side lower ball joint on my '06 Custom Lux (Mercury Metallic/Black) with 95K on the clock. (I purchased the vehicle with 56K miles 3+ years ago.) I did not install OEM this time; I used Centric brand premium ball joint. (I've used Centric brake discs with great results.) Driver's side part #610.44046 ~ $55 shipped. OEM is ~$100. I also considered Beck/Arnley driver's side part #101-7678 ~ $48 shipped. Note: the '01 - '03 and the '04 - '06 have different part numbers for the lower ball joint, and the left and right side ball joints in all LS's are location specific parts.
Several years ago I replaced both of the lower ball joints (driver and passenger side) on my '01 with OE parts at about 125K miles (it now has 278K+ miles). These ball joints typically have a very long life. There is minimal wear and tear on the joint, except if you hit pot holes or have to drive on bad roads. This is what caused the driver's side on my '06 Custom Lux LS to start to fail. More often, it's the passenger side that receives the most road punishment.
Thanks for the info. Did you perform the traditional tire shake (12:00 - 6:00; 3:00 - 9:00) to determine play in the joint or some other means first?
I did not pre-determine play in the joint. It was a front driver's side knock over bumps that I was familiar with as being associated with the lower ball. Upon removal, the ball does have some up/down play in it which causes the slight knock under load.
Thanks to RKW77080's post and pictorial guide, my buddy (retired mechanic) help me changed out my driver side and passenger side ball joint, it's pretty easy and effortless with the right tools, the driver side seems fine not too much flex play, but the passenger side can easily move the joint with fingers, I experiencing the knock over bumps and rough pavement before the change, now it's completely tighten up the steering and suspension, I use original Lexus parts and finish it within an hour, the LS just pass 100k miles.
I started to feel a slight vibration on the steering wheel (randomly) a few weeks back. I lifted the front wheels off the ground and performed the 12-6 O'clock and 9-3 O'clock test, and sure enough, the passenger side has a bit of free play on the 12-6 O'clock test. Turns out, the lower control arm ball joint was failing!
The replacement was very easy, and I don't believe a wheel alignment is required - here's how I did it...
*** CAUTION *** The steering knuckle is aluminum - it is very easy to cross thread/strip the threads inside. Please see Post #57 for an actual near-disaster example.
What part numbers did you use and where did you get them from? I have a 2003 LS 430 and the ball joints need replacing. So im looking to get all the needed parts to have a local mechanic put on for me. Thanks in advance.
Great thread. Doesn't seem like @rkw77080 is here anymore but his contributions to this forum are so valuable. Did my lower ball joints today with new OEM units that I got on sale from Bell Lexus a little while back. Super easy. This is also the perfect time to do front sway bar links. I got some "555" brand links that are made in Japan. I got these from Partsouq as they were like $20 each compared to $100 each for the OEM ones.
Parts were original and had 104k on them. Probably could have gone longer but at 16 years old, why not?
Great thread. Doesn't seem like @rkw77080 is here anymore but his contributions to this forum are so valuable. Did my lower ball joints today with new OEM units that I got on sale from Bell Lexus a little while back. Super easy. This is also the perfect time to do front sway bar links. I got some "555" brand links that are made in Japan. I got these from Partsouq as they were like $20 each compared to $100 each for the OEM ones.
Parts were original and had 104k on them. Probably could have gone longer but at 16 years old, why not?
Would you consider the 555 link to be similar in quality to an OE part?
It looks like you can buy them domestically from https://www.autohausaz.com/pn/SLT070
Would you consider the 555 link to be similar in quality to an OE part?
It looks like you can buy them domestically from https://www.autohausaz.com/pn/SLT070
Made in Japan, so I hold them to a high standard, though I haven't put any miles on them yet. 555 has been around for awhile and I would assume they are as close to OEM as you can get.
555 is considered the gold standard in the offroad world if replacing an OE part and I can assure you that people put them through the ringer. It is on par with if not the best quality OE replacement in any case.
Made in Japan, so I hold them to a high standard, though I haven't put any miles on them yet. 555 has been around for awhile and I would assume they are as close to OEM as you can get.
A better picture...
Good to know 👍
Completely agree re pretty much anything made in Japan. I have OE tie rods and LBJs in a box ready to be installed, I may have to order these and add to the project.
Would you consider the 555 link to be similar in quality to an OE part?
It looks like you can buy them domestically from https://www.autohausaz.com/pn/SLT070
Ooooh good find. They are local too, and I think one of the stores I work with has an account there. Gonna see if they have them and order up a pair today.
03-08-17, 05:49 PM
