If you caught my other thread, I'm looking a possibly buying another '05 LS430 since my '04 is probably going to be totaled out from severe hail damage. I've found an almost exact replica and looked up the service history on the Lexus site.One of the last things I saw that was recommended but declined by the customer is leaking caster bushings. I'm not 100% sure what they mean here. Is this the control arm bushings? Anyone know what I would need to look up to find out how much they cost and see if it's something i might be able to do myself?

This is the listing from the service history:
BOTH FRONT CASTER BUSHINGS LEAKING / RECOMMEND REPLACING WITH BRACKETS

 

Sounds like they're referring to the LCA bushings. However, I did not know the front bushings were oil filled, like the rears.

 

Call the dealer who made the recommendation and ask for an explanation.

 

Actually, an excellent idea. I'm not awake yet,..

 

They are referring to the lower control arm bushings. Some people call them caster bushings as this is their purpose in the control arm. Toyota/Lexus refers to them as "bushing, no.2" in a parts list. They are oil filled and if they are leaking they should be replaced. It's not a critical must do as many people are riding on cracked, oil-less bushings. Some report vibrations, steering wheel shakes, and vibration under breaking as a result.

 

Thank you! I was trying to figure out the cause of all three of the symptoms you mentioned (vibration at idle sometimes, steering wheel shaking when going over non smooth road, and vibration from braking from high speed), despite being assured by the dealership that my suspension is solid (air in an 01' UL, 154k miles, so I was suspicious). On top of that, my car vibrates sometimes when reversing at low speed (foot half pressing down on brake). I look forward to getting this fixed and feeling the extra smoothness it brings.