LS460 replace 8 front control arms (Houston TX)
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 778
Likes: 130
From: texas
LS460 replace 8 front control arms (Houston TX)
the 2009 LS460 makes a clunk noise when start moving or coming to a stop.
Lexus dealer checked and said the two front lower control arms need replacement.
dealer quote is $4600 for the lower control arms (both side, 4 pieces, parts and labor).
Called a well-regarded independent Lexus shop in Houston and they recommend replacing all upper and lower control arms. The price is $4200 for all eight control arm pieces (OEM parts) parts and labor.
Did some research in this forum. I've ordered all eight pieces of control arms: 4 upper + 4 lower. total cost is $510 from ebay (160+200+150).
Question 1: besides the arms, what other parts do I need, e.g. bolts & nuts?
Next will go find a reputable shop to replace the arms
Question 2: Could someone recommend a shop in Houston for this work? What's a reasonable price to replace all the 8 control arms?
Thanks a lot.
Lexus dealer checked and said the two front lower control arms need replacement.
dealer quote is $4600 for the lower control arms (both side, 4 pieces, parts and labor).
Called a well-regarded independent Lexus shop in Houston and they recommend replacing all upper and lower control arms. The price is $4200 for all eight control arm pieces (OEM parts) parts and labor.
Did some research in this forum. I've ordered all eight pieces of control arms: 4 upper + 4 lower. total cost is $510 from ebay (160+200+150).
Question 1: besides the arms, what other parts do I need, e.g. bolts & nuts?
Next will go find a reputable shop to replace the arms
Question 2: Could someone recommend a shop in Houston for this work? What's a reasonable price to replace all the 8 control arms?
Thanks a lot.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 778
Likes: 130
From: texas
you can also buy all OEM new parts for $820, on ebay or websites like buyautoparts.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 778
Likes: 130
From: texas
I'll try keep this 2009 LS as long as I can. after replacing the control arms, the steering and suspension will be tight and neat. I'm also planning to replace brake pads and rotors for all 4 wheels. then hopefully it will feel like a "new" car..
Trending Topics
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 45
Likes: 1
From: CA
I also purchased just the bushings. Dealerships do not offer just the bushings so they will suggest replacing the entire control arms. You can just get the bushings and have an independent shop install them. I purchased some polyurethane bushings for the upper arms and regular bushings for the lower as I couldn't find poly bushing for them. I had a squeak noise for the first 10K miles from the poly bushings but now it's completely gone. Less than 400 all said and done.
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers
Joe Kucinski
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation
Joe Kucinski
Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?
Brett Foote
GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler
Michael S. Palmer
9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!
Brett Foote
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 778
Likes: 130
From: texas
I also purchased just the bushings. Dealerships do not offer just the bushings so they will suggest replacing the entire control arms. You can just get the bushings and have an independent shop install them. I purchased some polyurethane bushings for the upper arms and regular bushings for the lower as I couldn't find poly bushing for them. I had a squeak noise for the first 10K miles from the poly bushings but now it's completely gone. Less than 400 all said and done.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,657
Likes: 45
From: Maryland
There are shops all over the US that will do work like this if you shop around. They may not have the ability to push out the bushings but they will know a machine shop they are contracted with that will.
The best bet is to source all of the new control arms from EBay with the bushings which can be had for a song. Then have your independent replace all of them.
The best bet is to source all of the new control arms from EBay with the bushings which can be had for a song. Then have your independent replace all of them.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 5,371
Likes: 526
From: BC Canada
There are shops all over the US that will do work like this if you shop around. They may not have the ability to push out the bushings but they will know a machine shop they are contracted with that will.
The best bet is to source all of the new control arms from EBay with the bushings which can be had for a song. Then have your independent replace all of them.
The best bet is to source all of the new control arms from EBay with the bushings which can be had for a song. Then have your independent replace all of them.
On a side note, my 2008 is nearing 100k miles with no issues with the control arms so far. So for those who think that replacing them is inevitable, don't be so sure. Regardless, for those who stress over the issue, it's a cheap and easy fix. Even for a DIY'er, it's not an insurmountable job.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,657
Likes: 45
From: Maryland
I agree with Devh (as usual), with replacing the arms rather than the bushings. Some will argue that they are not "factory oem". My counter argument is that the oem units failed, so how much better are they than "oem equivelant"? For the price of these things on Ebay, you have little to lose. You could replace them 10 times or so for the price of oem.
On a side note, my 2008 is nearing 100k miles with no issues with the control arms so far. So for those who think that replacing them is inevitable, don't be so sure. Regardless, for those who stress over the issue, it's a cheap and easy fix. Even for a DIY'er, it's not an insurmountable job.
On a side note, my 2008 is nearing 100k miles with no issues with the control arms so far. So for those who think that replacing them is inevitable, don't be so sure. Regardless, for those who stress over the issue, it's a cheap and easy fix. Even for a DIY'er, it's not an insurmountable job.
As far as original arms go it is not a premature death sentence. You may have a greater chance of failure then a 2011 but it doesn't mean that it's going to fail.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 778
Likes: 130
From: texas
There are shops all over the US that will do work like this if you shop around. They may not have the ability to push out the bushings but they will know a machine shop they are contracted with that will.
The best bet is to source all of the new control arms from EBay with the bushings which can be had for a song. Then have your independent replace all of them.
The best bet is to source all of the new control arms from EBay with the bushings which can be had for a song. Then have your independent replace all of them.
Yes I compared the price and seems the price difference between control arms and "bushing only" is small.. so just bought the control arms to save the trouble..