07 LS460 Upper & Lower control arm bushings replacement
#16
Hey, Vvman! Did your mechanic tighten all those control arms in their frame mounts with the car at its normal ride height? The lower bushings look like the bolt sleeve through the middle can't rotate in the mount after tightening the nut on the long bolt that holds it. I can't tell if the upper bushings are that way but poly bushings are usually free to rotate.
I looked under my '07 LS after seeing your excellent pics. All the lower mounts are easy to get to the mounting bolts.
Nearly all modern control arms are not free to rotate in their mounts. Their movement twists the rubber. They will last lots longer if they are not under a twisting load at normal ride height. Such bushings should be tightened with the suspension at normal ride height. I hope your guy did that. If not it would be easy to loosen them, bounce the car a few times and re-tighten. Those poly uppers should be fine.
I hate to be a wet towel here but I saw so many replacement bushings/control arms prematurely fail from missing this important little detail. I almost don't want to post this...
I looked under my '07 LS after seeing your excellent pics. All the lower mounts are easy to get to the mounting bolts.
Nearly all modern control arms are not free to rotate in their mounts. Their movement twists the rubber. They will last lots longer if they are not under a twisting load at normal ride height. Such bushings should be tightened with the suspension at normal ride height. I hope your guy did that. If not it would be easy to loosen them, bounce the car a few times and re-tighten. Those poly uppers should be fine.
I hate to be a wet towel here but I saw so many replacement bushings/control arms prematurely fail from missing this important little detail. I almost don't want to post this...
Last edited by robert1408; 01-17-14 at 08:43 PM. Reason: correction
The following 2 users liked this post by robert1408:
sjzack (09-04-19),
steedls400 (11-05-20)
The following users liked this post:
sjzack (09-04-19)
#18
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Hey, Vvman! Did your mechanic tighten all those control arms in their frame mounts with the car at its normal ride height? The lower bushings look like the bolt sleeve through the middle can't rotate in the mount after tightening the nut on the long bolt that holds it. I can't tell if the upper bushings are that way but poly bushings are usually free to rotate.
I looked under my '07 LS after seeing your excellent pics. All the lower mounts are easy to get to the mounting bolts.
Nearly all modern control arms are not free to rotate in their mounts. Their movement twists the rubber. They will last lots longer if they are not under a twisting load at normal ride height. Such bushings should be tightened with the suspension at normal ride height. I hope your guy did that. If not it would be easy to loosen them, bounce the car a few times and re-tighten. Those poly uppers should be fine.
I hate to be a wet towel here but I saw so many replacement bushings/control arms prematurely fail from missing this important little detail. I almost don't want to post this...
I looked under my '07 LS after seeing your excellent pics. All the lower mounts are easy to get to the mounting bolts.
Nearly all modern control arms are not free to rotate in their mounts. Their movement twists the rubber. They will last lots longer if they are not under a twisting load at normal ride height. Such bushings should be tightened with the suspension at normal ride height. I hope your guy did that. If not it would be easy to loosen them, bounce the car a few times and re-tighten. Those poly uppers should be fine.
I hate to be a wet towel here but I saw so many replacement bushings/control arms prematurely fail from missing this important little detail. I almost don't want to post this...
He also tightened some bolts under the car while it was up on the alignment machine although I did not see exactly what he did. In any case, I will visit him sometime this week to loosen and re-tighten them as per your advice.
Thanks robert1408.
The following users liked this post:
sjzack (09-04-19)
#20
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
I haven't got any luck finding the bushings for the rear either - not that I need them.
The ones on the rear are not known to be as vulnerable as the fronts, guess you'll have to replace the entire arm if something broke down there.
The ones on the rear are not known to be as vulnerable as the fronts, guess you'll have to replace the entire arm if something broke down there.
The following users liked this post:
steedls400 (11-05-20)
#25
#26
Lexus Fanatic
I honestly can't remember. I think it was when I was readnig through old posts schooling myself on the LS shortly after I bought it last week sometime. I just remember being relieved that my car might not be one of the ones effected....
#27
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
I think this is the thread you guys are talking about.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...trol-arms.html
Scroll to post #32. I think Lexus might have redesigned the arms for their 2010-2012 model.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...trol-arms.html
Scroll to post #32. I think Lexus might have redesigned the arms for their 2010-2012 model.
Last edited by Vvman; 01-22-14 at 02:24 AM.
The following users liked this post:
steedls400 (11-05-20)
#28
Lexus Fanatic
Nope, that's not it. But it had a similar tone. It definately said something about production in 08/09. No matter, apparently they were wrong and I may have to be vigilant with my cars bushings after all.
#29
I'm in the same boat with a 2011. Who knows maybe the upgraded parts were changed before the TSB.
#30
Lexus Fanatic
As someone who came from BMW 7 ownership where EVERYTHING was high drama and high dollar (including replacing a battery), this is all so trivial by comparison! LOL.
Sooooo good to be in a Lexus now. I don NOT miss my E65 AT ALL.