Hello. I noticed that my 2020 rx 450h with 36K miles has front lower arm bushing that looks greasy as if the lubricant has leaked out - see pictures. The right side has more than the left.


Front, right



Front, left

Are these normal or known issue for that model? Thanks in advance.

 

That looks like a ball joint to me.

Dont worry about it until you start hearing clunking noise over bumps.

 

Agree that is a ball joint and not to worry about it until it starts making noise. It may just be the picture but it looks like there is a tear in the rubber boot which would explain the grease leaking. Also looks like someone may have been into it in the past as one side of the cotter pin is typically bent over the top of the stud at the factory. The other side (picture 2) looks fine.

 

I had mine replaced in ‘23 on my ‘17 rx. The telltale sign is creaking in the back when you go over bumps. I wouldn’t worry until you start to hear it.

 

@Volley the right side does appear to have more grease in the surrounding ball joint & I’m not sure if that is a rubber housing tear or a build up from the grease being exposed to dirt from daily driving. The reason why this came to light is because my stock Michelin Premiere LTX front tires are cupping or peeling in different spots across the tire treads. The rear didn’t have the same issue until I rotated the tires and now they are also peeling. I thought it might’ve been my front suspension issues rather than alignment issue…

 

I have seen that type of peeling caused by dry rot in a little as 4 years.
The scuffing and peeling occurs during very sharp parking lot turns. I wouldn't worry about suspension problems that may cause tire wear.

 

@Nevada Thanks for the pic. That looks just like my tires and the middle part of my tires have similar peels. Good to hear it’s a tire issue than a suspension. I was about to jump on getting an alignment but I suppose I can try a different set of tires first. I saw some poor reviews with similar problem on these Michelin Premiere LTX on its website.

 

Check out the Michelin Defender 2. It got great ratings on Tire Track.

 

Would replacing the lower ball joints require an alignment?

 

Yes, I would certainly do an alignment.

 

Dealer inspected my suspension and said the ball joints were normal and found no tear. They advised that the scalloped tires are from misalignment and/or poor road condition. My tires had 3/12 thread left and are not uncommon for these Michelin Premier LTX (stock tires) to wear out quicker than others according to them. Yokohama’s are recommended & I must agree from past experience.

 

Thanks for reporting back and glad you identified the problem. I switched to Yokohama's on my previous RDX after the Michelin's started chunking at 35k and they are outstanding tires.

 

Thanks so much for posting this. We bought our 2016 RX in October 2019, and purchased the 5 year Maximum Service Agreement from dealer, which expires next week. Noticed creaking in the back (right) over bumps for months now, but pretty minor so ignored it until I saw this thread. Took it in late September and it turned out to be a $2500 job, SA paid $2000 of it (I didn’t want aftermarket parts). Just got the car back, tested over speed bumps, quiet!