Control Arm Issue?
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 758
Likes: 26
From: INACTIVE
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 5,371
Likes: 526
From: BC Canada
lol you really don't like BMW (consistently)
Pole Position
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,561
Likes: 365
From: New Hampshire
Call me crazy, but if price is an issue I'd just change the ones that are bad. Why not? People do this all the time...only change the things that are broken on their suspensions.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 758
Likes: 26
From: INACTIVE
The reason you address them all is because it's a pain to begin with so why do it twice...and the ball joints, with their rubber boots, are easily damaged. If you go at it yourself, $500-$700 is within reason.
Last edited by superdenso; Oct 4, 2016 at 03:53 AM.
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Pole Position
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,561
Likes: 365
From: New Hampshire
I guess I'm in the school of thought that you don't need to replace every single damn piece of a front suspension unless you have to. I see cars come in all the time that need a control arm, it doesn't mean I need to replace the other arm, all the ball joints, sway bar links...because where does it end? I understand what you're saying, but I did my arms and half of them looked fine. I was throwing away control arms that were good.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 758
Likes: 26
From: INACTIVE
I guess I'm in the school of thought that you don't need to replace every single damn piece of a front suspension unless you have to. I see cars come in all the time that need a control arm, it doesn't mean I need to replace the other arm, all the ball joints, sway bar links...because where does it end? I understand what you're saying, but I did my arms and half of them looked fine. I was throwing away control arms that were good.
Also, if a Lexus service dept gets wind all arms were not replaced they will add that diagnosis w/declined repair to your service history. Then you're back at it again.
for now I like the poly bushing press in method if you have the time. Take off all arms/service bushings & re-install
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 88
Likes: 8
From: Florida
SuperDenso, Thanks for the pointer to the writeup. I am sorely tempted to try it myself. My friend says I'm nuts for trying it myself, so I think I will probably pay someone *this* time and watch how the job is done.
Actually, I've been told by the Audi dealership to bring it back in to the service dept (1.5hrs away) and they will look at it again, and let me know "what they'll do". I'm sure all that means is that they might cover HALF, which- at the end of the day, is kind of a win.
Sort of.
Assuming I did pay a local shop to do the repairs.. I would just start with the LOWERS, right?- It seems those are the main culprits in these issues- no? I simply can't afford all of the arm this time around, and at least I will have time to save some $$ for the other repair (the front uppers).
What do you guys think of something like this?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pair-Brand-N...tWdIih&vxp=mtr
Actually, I've been told by the Audi dealership to bring it back in to the service dept (1.5hrs away) and they will look at it again, and let me know "what they'll do". I'm sure all that means is that they might cover HALF, which- at the end of the day, is kind of a win.
Sort of.
Assuming I did pay a local shop to do the repairs.. I would just start with the LOWERS, right?- It seems those are the main culprits in these issues- no? I simply can't afford all of the arm this time around, and at least I will have time to save some $$ for the other repair (the front uppers).
What do you guys think of something like this?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pair-Brand-N...tWdIih&vxp=mtr
Driver
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 179
Likes: 1
From: N/A
Got the same problem recently. My lower bushings were replaced about a year ago, but the problem came just a few months ago, and dealer told me upper bushings need to be replaced as well. They changed upper bushings in one side, and the problem isn't that bad now. However, another side needs to be replaced as well, will do it this weekend.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 758
Likes: 26
From: INACTIVE
If you don't get any help and can remove the arms without damaging the boots the total parts cost is $250. Then you could take all arms to a machine shop to have the old bushings pressed out and the new poly bushings pressed in. The warranty is lifetime. So if you end up fitting the bill, the cost is not outrageous. I have 2,500 miles on the poly bushings and they are a pleasant surprise.
https://shopasd.com/collections/ls460
https://shopasd.com/collections/ls460
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 758
Likes: 26
From: INACTIVE
Looks like the Ford Edge lost the lower ball joint. The knuckle separated from the lower control arm. There appears to be only a lower control arm on this design. And the part you see hanging is the CV joint. From this pic, it looks like 300 to 500 to repair.
Last edited by superdenso; Oct 6, 2016 at 08:23 PM.