Look under "Schmoe, Joe - Mechanic-at-Large"

 

Time consuming yes 8 hours no! 5 hours tops if you have a lift even better similiar to installing coil overs and that's not a long job not saying im a expert but I am mechanically inclined. 1 hour to 1 and a half per corner tops.

 

Is this issue confined mostly to the 2007-2008 model years? Are there any 10s, 11s or 12s having this issue? I've noticed most of the people on this post have the 2007/2008 models.

 

Well, Lexus shelled out $5,000 to MY SHOP, not to one of their dealerships. They think it's a $5,000 job. It's history.

 

saw these on ebay
4 FRONT UPPER CONTROL ARM BUSHING LEXUS LS460 LS600H 07-11 2WD 4X2

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-FRONT-UPPE...889d64&vxp=mtr

I am not a mechanic and don't know the details..

Is this a short cut? Is it enough to replace the bushings on control arms?

 

I'm not mechanic either. However, these DO NOT look anything like what Lexus replaced on my 2009 LS-460 rear wheel drive, at about 38,000 miles. Lexus does NOT sell only the bushings, they sell you the entire control arms with the bushings already pressed into place. I'm really not sure how you would get these bushings "pressed into place" on the factory control arms since they already have bushings in there, albeit they are cracked. Lexus shelled out $5,000 to MY SHOP, not THEIR DEALERSHIP, to replace all mine that were cracked.

Good luck and if you do this, let us know how it turns out. Personally, I'd let a Lexus Technician take a look at these before I bought them. That's just me because I'm no mechanic.

 

My warranty replaced all of the control arms prior to 60K miles. I now have 109K on the car (8K on the arms). I have bought 4 uppers and the 2 lower front control arms off ebay and have had zero problems with fit or drivability. I took the cheap route on this one not expecting too much, but have zero complaints. Labor was about half of what the dealer quoted. Had Lexus perform an alignment afterwards and was amazed they didn't come back telling me I had created a "rats nest" by using these parts.

 

My 2008 ls600h has 55,000 miles and does not need the arms. How ever, could you please post the link or the source on ebay, for future reference?

 

Let's hope. So far based on the owners complaints it seems that it's contained before the mid-cycle refresh. Toyota tends to glass over known faults publicly until enough time has passed but in the interim they will add the needed revisions.

 

I'm no mechanic either but I have done similar work with bushing only replacement with great success and substantial savings. You can take the control arms to a local machine shop and for a fee they will do the work. Because it appears this is one of the most common faults there might be a polyurethane option or a cheaper third party manufacture that will make the control arms as time goes by. BMW 5 series are known for front control arm bushing failures as well as many other makes.

 

I'm thinking this thread points out real and present dangers of purchasing used Lexus vehicles from other than bona fide Lexus dealers. Anyone else getting queasy?

 

Not true. .just have vehicle inspected by a Lexus dealer, especially if it is a car they aren't selling. They'll be honest..but have it inspected elsewhere if being sold by Lexus. Always good for independent opinion

Sent via Club Lexus Mobile App

 

Ya think Lexus dealer will spot "Lexuz" brand bushings spooned into stock control arms? Really?

 

Congrats on your successful replacement of the bushings. I know not all folks feel the same as I do, but I'm not going to worry about COSTS on any Lexus I drive, because it's going to be under a Platinum Lexus Factory Warranty with $0 Deductible. I've said it before, say it again, I would not drive my LS-460 around the block without the comfort of knowing it was under FULL WARRANTY.

 

If you think this tactic is limited to Lexus vehcicles only, get your head out of the sand. This is happening to all makes of vehicles, not just Lexus. Buy from a reputable dealer and as I've said, I buy Lexus Warranties to give me piece of mind. By doing so, it saved me $5,000 Lexus paid my mechanic at a non-Lexus shop to replace all my control arms/bushings. It can happen to anybody and any make car. Lexus normally charges a bit more for their cars, but they usually are more willing to stand behind anything that goes bad than buying a Lexus off a Ford Dealership lot.