I just put my 2007 LS460 in for an oil change and general check with my normally very reliable and honest mechanic. She is telling me that I "Need lower control arms replaced. Bushings are smashed".

1. What does that mean?

2. Is $1,200 a reasonable price for that work?

Thanks.

MotionMan

 

ask for picture

 

Let's assume for the moment that they need replacing:

1. What does what she said mean?

2. Is $1,200 a reasonable price for that work?

Thanks.

MotionMan

 

First we need to know what you mean. There are 8 control arms in the front...which ones need to go. Further, the lower control arms on the 07 cars are the money makers. So it's best to have them all updated and eliminate this issue going forward.

 

If she's doing all four lower control arms and using OEM parts then that's a good price.

 

Thanks.

MotionMan

 

The OEM parts are $1,200 for the four lower control arms only at 25% off list.

 

Wait, WHAT?

I thought these things were cheaper.

 

The estimate says:

"
Lower 2 $332.46 664.92
Replace lower rearward control arms 1 $400 $400
Alignment 1 $75 $75
Sales tax 9.00% $59.84

Total: $1,199.76
"

MotionMan

 

Aftermarket parts and bushings are cheaper, but if you walk up to the parts counter you can negotiate a 25% discount...check out a thread on the subject.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...acement-7.html

 

You can get them for less than that here.

http://www.lexussouthatlantaparts.co...driveLine=8088

Not sure what the price would be including shipping though.

 

The charges are full retail for the parts. At this rate, by the time you address all of the arms you will be near $4,000. As DarkKnight says, you can use the on-line websites to confirm the pricing. Further, if you get in on this thread, alternatives are discussed...the control arms issue can be addressed in a variety of ways. It all depends on what you want to pay and how much research you want to put into it:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...acement-7.html

 

Thanks for this link superdenso! I have 200k miles on my '07 and the control arms were replaced around 85k by the dealer under warranty. I'm once again getting the knocking noise in the front of my car when driving on the horrendous roads of Houston, TX when I go over there. I am also wondering about the recent uneven tire wear on the rear tires. I just had to replace two Bridgestone Serenity Plus tires that had 6/32 on the outside and 2/32 on the inside. The shop said this occurred since the previous rotation 5k miles before. They checked and realigned all four wheels (I have lifetime alignment), but according to a post in that thread someone said bad rear control arms/bushings would be noticeable by uneven tire wear. Is there anyway to confirm this over alignment problems other than losing the tires again due to uneven wear between rotation?

 

I am at ~82,000 miles. Please tell me more on how you to the control arms replaced under warranty.

Thanks.

MotionMan

 

FYI You can get all 8 control arms uppers and lowers for 700 shipped on eBay. Not oem but a lot of members have used them with no problems.