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.

 

Sooner or later I'm going to have to replace the control arms as well. Are the parts from ebay OEM?

 

I definitely understand your two questions. I would trade my LS 460 in for a new one before I pay $4200 for the front control arms. Ridiculous! It should have been a factory recall.

 

the upper 4 arms and 2 lower are "aftermaket high quality parts". the rest 2 lower arms are OEM new parts. all sellers have >98% positive review.

you can also buy all OEM new parts for $820, on ebay or websites like buyautoparts.

 

good for you to get a new car every several years...
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..

 

Where are you located in Houston?

 

i'd recommend Changing the bushes only , you'll save a good amount for your Self .

 

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.

 

I'm near the memorial area, beltway 8 & I-10. Thanks,

 

Thanks aaauae and darksands, wish I knew this earlier.
$400 including parts and labor sounds really good..

 

wish there is a shop like this in Houston..

 

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.

 

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.

 

The new arms from the dealer have been revised from 2011 onward and I'm sure whatever revisions are most likely addressed on the aftermarket arms on EBay.

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.

 

Thanks a lot for the information.
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..