Hi everyone, I have an 07 460 now with 110,000 miles, original starter, control arms.

I bought it a year ago from an older man who drove it about 10,000 miles a year from new, all dealer serviced, slow, careful driver.

I would like to have an idea what to expect in my future repair costs.

Can anyone help me out with an approximate idea of how long control arms last if driven carefully, and how about starters?

Does one set of arms go earlier than others, is it recommended that all be replaced at the same time?

Thanks for any comments!

 

Not an expert but have been reading about this given I have an 08 with 115k.

Control Arms are a wear item. Some folks need them at 100k, some last much longer. Depends on road conditions, driving style, and flat out luck. That said, from what I'm reading, they will let you know when they need replacing.

Repair costs vary based on the shop (local labor rates are a good chunk of the repair), but one thing you want to be sure to do 100% is USE OEM PARTS. This forum is rife with horror stories of people using aftermarket parts that failed again almost immediately. Also, there was one post about ensuring to follow the FSM with regards to only fully torquing the arms in once at ride height, IIRC. Someone may clarify that last bit.

Don't have much info on the starters.

 

In my case 2009 LS460, all 8 CAs were replaced at 55k miles, 3 years ago.
All 8 CAs purchased from rockauto or ebay, total cost ~$550, indy shop labor cost ~$450.
now at 102k miles, so far so good.

 

Same here. No issues with aftermarket.

Remember, getting your work done at an independent or for that matter, a Toyota dealer instead of Lexus, will save you a ton of money.

In 140k miles, my LS never needed a starter. The only part replacements were the CA's and a water pump. Oh...and mufflers. I think I was the only member on this forum that ever needed to replace the muffs.

 

Were these OEM Control Arms purchased for $550 or aftermarket? Guessing aftermarket based on listings like this quoting $3k for the full set?

If the later, do you have any info on the brand/model? Assuming you need to / should replace all 8 at once?

Thanks

 

My starter went around 100k. Just had to replace both Rearward LCA's at 160k. All other arms are origional

 

While there have been some starter failures it typically isn't a preventative change part. I suppose it could be, but generally it's a replace upon fail part. The starters from Toyota for this V8 have been somewhat troublesome; you can read accounts from the 5.7L and 4.6L engines on other model forums as well. However with that being said it still only affects a small percentage of vehicles. The prevalence of people complaining on forums makes it seem more prominent.

 

Correct, and the motor won't die suddenly, rather degrade over time. It's actually wiring in the motor that starts to fray, not the motor its-self that is the issue. Mine took a couple months until I'd have to attempt to start it more than 2 times - at which point I went ahead and replaced it.

 

aftermarket parts, Beck/Arnley, Mevotech, etc:
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...trol+arm,10401

 

I agree. Starter was replaced on my 07 about 2 months before I bought it, at 72k mi. Records say charging system warning light was on, car needed jump start, battery had bad cell...so they replaced battery and starter.

 

What year is your LS if you don't mind my asking?

Also, can anyone comment on whether or not a '10 Sport would be affected by this issues, IIRC the VIN is after when a fix was supposedly introduced...I just want to know what I'd be getting myself into vs. the upcoming repairs on my LS430.

TIA

 

It's a 2007 and has had coilovers on it since age 3 & 38,000 miles when I got it. Come to think, I'm actually on my 2nd set of coilovers on mostly original arms/bushings......that also includes the first 38k on stock suspension.

 

 

LOL. That's what mine looked like too. They LOOKED fine from under the car, but after removing them, it was the tops that were rusted out. That's why I bet that if anyone removes their's, they might be in for a shocker. Or, one could use a mirror to have a look. FWIW, I had my local muff shop source out a set of replacements that were close in dimensions and layout from Walker. Guess what make model? Chevrolet Cavalier. lol. Only paid 500 bucks all in with labor. A fraction of what Lexus charges. The surprising thing about the OEM muffs is the fact that they didn't even use SS. Just a galvanized aluminum. Heck, even my 88 mustang had SS exhaust.

 

Control arms on my 2007 at about 110 and the starter at 137k (3 weeks ago). Every car Ive ever ownded will give you signs that the starter is getting ready to go and as stated by others here, theirs did as well. But in my case, this one gave me no sign. Car started just fine every day. Went to tire shop, drove into the bay and when done, car wouldnt start. I can hear the starter spinning but no engagement.