Spudo769

One of the reasons I bought the LS was the great forums. I have been on several, and this one is full of info and DYI. The only one in my experience that rivals it was the Miata website. However, us that participate in these forums are a very small percentage of owners. Most don't have the slightest interest in spending time reading their owners manual much less get on here to learn all about their car, study posts about DIY tasks, buy tools and actually have the guts to try and do some of the basic maintenance. The OP is not going down that road due to their situation. Best they can do is what they are doing, getting advice, referrals and comparing prices. Granted the car is pretty easy to work on, but I wouldn't attempt all the control arms either. Spark plugs, brakes, fluids, filters...that's different. Even though the plugs were nerve racking.
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sha4000

iTrader: (1)

I understand that MOST ppl take their cars to the dealer or trusted indie shops. I had a female friend of mine call me up the other day and ask me if adding washer fluid was something she could do herself since the light was on. That sums up how much the majority of owners know about their cars other than gas and oil changes.

DavidinCT

And those are the type who should not be buying a used car like this... I personally feel there is a reasonable knowledge set that NEEDED to know about cars to have one of these type used cars.

I am NOT a mechanic by any means but, I do enough reading about cars to know what I am talking about. A little homework in this subject goes a long way.

R Z

The great thing about this or any forum is the ability to go right to the place for answers about your specific item. In this case the Lexus 460. The OP was wise enough to come here and question a price given to her for control arms. She has received more than enough feedback to make the proper decision. To Karen: If you are comfortable with the new shop you found, then that's your answer. But it also pays to check the internet for shops who specifically work on Toyota or Lexus vehicles. By typing on the internet: LEXUS REPAIR SHOP (for your city), you should get enough names and also feedback from other users. But which ever way you go, if you're keeping the car, get them replaced. Otherwise, don't and trade the car in on your new purchase. Good luck.

SW17LS

My guess is they've simply owned the car since it was new.

jdanielca

UDel

The bushings are the issue, it is not the metal, the bushings go bad. You can change just the bushings out but it can be a PIA because you have to push them out and put new ones in and the price difference between a set of new bushings and aftermarket control arms is not that great. With a AWD LS it does make more sense to just change out the bushings because so far there are no cheap aftermarket control arms for the AWD.

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

It's not just the bushings. My car has 98k and the bushings were ok but the balljoints were totally shot.

Lexus737

if you are DIY guy do it yourself LS460 is not hard work.