lexmenow

Where can I buy ball joints for a gs 400

rgarjr

iTrader: (1)

You could try 2 of the CL sponsors. www.lexus-parts.com which is Sewell Lexus or Carson Toyota. I got mine from Sewell and I slapped them in this weekend.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

i got mine from sewell as well. Great place to buy from.

lexmenow

Thanks you guys are great

gsCrazy

iTrader: (1)

i just visited sewell lexus for the ball joints? why the price difference between the ball joint set for $123 (43340-39415-02 - Lexus Lower Ball Joint Set - LH and RH) and the individual ball joints which are $76.85 each (43330-39535 - Lexus Lower Ball Joint Assembly - Passenger Side AND 43340-39415 - Lexus Lower Ball Joint Assembly - Driver Side)???

Also, is it neccessary to replace the tie rod ends (45460-59015-02 - Lexus GS Outer Tie Rod Ends - RH & LH) at the same time?

thanks all.

e-man

I know a lot of guys replace the tie rod ends when they do the ball joints because they are right there and there's not much extra labor involved. I bought both the ball joints and the tie rod ends, but when my mechanic at the Lexus dealership did the ball joints, he said the tie rod ends looked fine and that he didn't want to replace parts just for the sake of replacing them. He said the tie rod ends don't take the same beating that the ball joints do. Hope this helps.

clubfoot

Replacing the tie rod ends would also require an alignment check.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

Basically it's an incentive for you to replace both at the same time. kind of like..."buy a coffee mug for $10...but for $5 more, you can get a second one."

Those who need only one will need to pay more per joint. They'll make money in either case

I didn't replace my tie-rods because I didn't want an alignment afterwards, and plus, they were still good so no point in replacing that.

gsCrazy

iTrader: (1)

thank you to everyone who replied! i will have my mechanic check the tie rod ends but i will definitely do the ball joints asap as i have a thumping noise when i go over many small bumps or a stretch of uneven tarmac. there's no noise when i go over large bumps though, which is a bit odd. so, initially i thought it were the sway bar mounts that needed to be replaced at first as suggested in another post. however, that does not seem to be the case as there is no play when i try to move the sway bar.

also, what signs are there of tie rod wear anyway? and how would i know when they need to be replaced if i were trying to look at them myself?