Does anyone has a recommendation on a set of a ball joint press kit for 06 LS430, I am not a mechanic but I want to save a little and do it myself, my local shop is charging me $300 both side to replace the bushing with my own oem parts provided.Is it difficult to press it out? Or just bite the bullet and have the shop install it for me? Thanks

 

That's about what I paid in NJ. The cheapest I've seen on this forum is $150. It's one of those things, the time I wasted asking shops if they would do it for me, I should have simply just saved the aggravation. I wouldn't think it's practical to buy a press unless you have other uses for it? My relatives spent $1000 at HFT for one and it takes up a lot of space.

When all was said and done, even the shop recommended that I not do the job, that I would see zero benefit and they didn't want me to feel I was being taken. This is after the Lexus dealer wanted $1800 and said I may not pass a state inspection (man that was low).

Indie told me yes you have cracks, so what? We've had cars come in where the control arm could be moved by hand due to an all out tear. We doubt you will see any benefit if we install the new bushings. This was true.

I could be wrong, but I thought this is what is used

https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/56171556

In retrospect maybe buy Mevotech and yes DIY you'd get the small bushings as well. At the time I thought Mevotech was junk, but it's not per this forum

 

Another option is to utilize the IS model LCA bushing assembly, versus the OE LS style which is a press-fit.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...ml#post9985356

 

Is OP talking about the front lower control arm bushing or the rear? Or are you talking about the ball joint? This thread has 3 different parts mentioned already lol. And failing state inspection?!? HUH? You wreck or need towed before you even get there if you do it wrong, other wise they wont notice anything but a bushing. They dont work for lexus or have any LS430 suspension bushing knowledge. Id chose another dealership just from them telling you that. Thats literally them trying to scare you into spending 1800 with them? No way. A human put the bushing in, another human can replace said bushing. and at $1800 id just buy new Lower control arms with ball joints and bushings already installed before doing that nonsense.

 

For sure, that was the only time I went to the dealer, when I had only had the car 3 weeks. Decided to let them do the coolant and brake fluid because what they said over the phone was cheaper than a muffler shop. Then they hit me with a multipoint showing me I needed $6100 or so of work, and that my clutch fluid was full which was nice of them to verify that (they forgot about the power blinker fluid I let the indie change that). They said if I wanted to do the work they would put me into a RX350 (I glanced over and saw a line of them and thought dang). The state inspection was an all out lie tactic but at the time? I was concerned. Thanks to the indie for telling me I really didn't even need the LCA bushings.

If I could redo everything I probably would simply do Mevotech and call it a day. Pretty sure lifetime warranty whereas OE is 12 mo./12k

 

These...?
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...432014&jsn=377

Ive sure been tempted too! My Id says "DO IT!" then the Super Ego says "Cheap is often more expensive in the long run..."
Who to believe?!?

 

As mentioned by Johnhav430, and after having my LCA bushing replaced years ago, I too have found no improvement or change in driving characteristics. I had about 120,000 miles at the time and the LCA bushings were cracked with all the original fluid leaked out. I used OEM bushings that I purchased at a great price, but I remember quite well how tedious it was for my Indy to get the old bushings out. He did not use a press. More than anything else, LCA bushing replacement is one of the biggest money makers for Lexus dealers. No reason to go there as most Independent shops can handle it. I believe I spent $500 for parts and labor which is about par for the course for most LS430 repairs these days.

 

Considering my lower arm bushings were merely worn and not torn or fully failed and my alignment changed by over 5 degrees in a lot of directions and the ride became far more consistent and less prone to swim in hard turns.......oh and they stopped inside tire wear on the fronts.

I would say they absolutely do something, the process is a massive pain in the *** and requires a press and usually a torch if you want to use the factory arm (mevotech is garbage in comparison) and new factory bushings like I did. Same deal with the uppers but they are not subject to a lot of stress so usually they don't fail.

If you want to believe it doesn't matter or nothing changes then I encourage you to rethink it. I'll post my before and after alignment printout with the before readings being previously 100% correct with the old original bushings vs how wrong it was with new ones that don't allow the arms to move around in the back.

 

Given that carfox shows my car is now into the 3's, I would try to avoid $1000 repairs. $300 isn't the end of the world but remember the parts were another $60 on eBay each side, in 2016 for OE. I don't know what they go for today as many parts have gone up. So that was around $400 in 2016 for this job. Enthusiast doesn't mean unnecessarily replace parts. Again, the indie, who stood to make money on the job, said it was unnecessary. Again, the reason is reputation. They didn't want zero improvement to reflect upon them. What was laughable was the Toyota dealer telling me they'd do it for $800, pressing in my bushings. No oh what a feeling! I ended up doing the job because I'm the type who will touch the stove when you warn me I could get burned.

edit: p.s. one seller has 2 listings $56.52, one listing says 1 left (I think more appear once sold), not a bad price. It lists for $141.58 which is joke territory like the brake sensor wires and many other parts.

 

Thank you all for the great responses, when I bought the car 6 months ago, I missed reading from Lexus Drivers that the bushing needs replaced. So far it doesn't make any clunking noise but I think my tires are getting worn out in the middle, I am about to buy new tires and if the bushing is the culprit for worn tires, I need to replace it?

 

So in that picture of the mevotech, which bushing are you thinking needs pressed? The top right or top left? Or ball joint? Just so Im on the same page.

 

Center means you are over-inflated, inside only is where you will usually see a worn bushing manifest.

 

Top right the biggest bushing

 

Yes inside only

 

Just buy the whole piece with bracket. I noticed no change in ride quality with the ones on ebay and it takes about 30-45min a side. They are $100 for a pair and bolt right in. Easy peasy. But if you are not having any issues or rattles or clunks I wouldnt worry about it yet. Like stated, tire wear on the center could be an inflation problem only,