After replacing my front rotors and pads on my 01 LS430, I was informed that my passenger side lower ball joint cover is torn. There is no play at this time or any noises, but of course I understand over time, dirt will get in and deteriorate the ball joint. My question is: How much labor (time) is involved and what must be removed in order to replace the lower ball joint? I have a feeling that it might have been easier if done when my front rotors and pads were replaced...... yes??? 2nd question.... Is an alignment required (recommended) when replacing the lower front ball joints in our cars? Thanks all.

 

It's a fairly easy job to do. I replaced mine a couple of years ago and posted the steps here...
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...placement.html

No wheel alignment was required.

 

RKW....You certainly seem to be the maharishi mahesh yogi when it comes to many DIY jobs. Thank you very much. This job I cannot do myself. Can you figure approximately how much time (labor time) it would take to do the passenger side lower ball joint? Also, since I drive only maybe 5,000 miles a year, do I need to address this lower ball joint if it has been confirmed that there is no play or noises (at the present time) even though the boot is torn? Thanks RKW... You are the Man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Of course I understand over time dirt gets in and makes the situation worse. .....

 

According to the Auto Repair Reference Center available online through my library the book rate for lower ball joint on this car is 2.5 hours for one side, 3.9 for both.

Might be worth it to pull off the wheel to see how badly the boot is torn. If it is a small tear you might be able to simply clean the area of the boot around the split and then seal it with some RTV. You wouldn't be able to drive your car for at least 12 hours while you waited for the RTV to cure but it might offer you a low cost solution to your problem...

 

. Would there be any point in trying to get some grease in there before using the RTV? FYI The shop that did my front brakes would be charging me $100 labor to replace the lower ball joint while the part is $90+ at Lexus.

 

Probably wouldn't do you much good to put grease in there. In this type of ball joint the seal is mainly there to keep contamination out...