Hey guys, haven't been on here in FOREVER, anyways, I got an '02 SC430 a few years ago, and I've always noticed the ride quality wasn't great, and recently my left front wheel bearing started going bad. When I bring it to the shop I'd like to replace other suspension components to hopefully improve things a bit.

Which control arms need replacement in the front, because there's two control arms, one is

4806830300 which is apparently the main lower control arm, but another which is...

4866024020 Which is cheaper, and looks to be more of a stabilizer...

Do I replace one of these on each side, or both on each side or...?

Much appreciated, any replies.

 

Welcome back, there are two lower control arms on each side, one goes left to right, the other goes front to back.
Maybe this will help...
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc4...-bushings.html

Not LCAs but something else to check
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc4...ml#post9150699

No pics but plenty of info...
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc4...on-issues.html

Do some searches

 

Eh, I just broke down and bought EVERYTHING.

Both upper control arms, both Lower control arms AND both caster arms, both ball joints, both tie rods and last but not least two new KYB struts.

Im hoping when its all done I'll appreciate the ride more.

 

Jay, do you still have run flats on her?

 

Nope, never had the runflats. That's not the issue.

 

I have the same issue with my 2002 SC430. I took it to Good Year. They said it was the Struts. I really thought there would be more that they would recommend since it has over 180K miles. But they said everything else looked good, even the ball joints. Going to replace all the struts tomorrow. I'll let you know if that was the fix.

 

Got my car back yesterday and it has a noticeably smoother ride. Definitely worth the money spent to replace the very expensive struts.

 

Thats good to know... well, the thing is, the struts arent all that expensive. I got a set of OEM (theyre made by KYB, by the way) for around 120 each...

I also have ALL 6 control, balljoints,sway bar links, etc etc etc, (I bought everything for around 500) so I might as well have the shop just do EVERYTHING while they are in there, otherwise, im just gonna have SOOO many parts laying around the house for years....

 

It's cheaper to have it all done at once. Your steering is going yo feel much tighter too.

 

I jus replaced front lower controls ball joint and trailing arms both sides but my alignment and drive ability is still wandering I also noticed my sway bar is bent or looks like it is and I just got an alignment today steering is much better but can't get the alignment down any suggestions

 

What do you mean by cannot get the alignment down?
Is the caster wrong?

 

Just checking in, got the car back yesterday... Difference is night and day.

Everything was replaced, and the car now runs smoother and doesn't wobble in every direction when I hit a bump. A huge improvement.

Upon inspecting the old parts, I was surprised.... All the ball joints have no play and rotate perfectly, and out of all the control arms, none of the bushings appear to have any damage, except the left control arm #2 (caster arm.)

The struts were shot to hell, those were probably the worst out of everything. I could compress the struts by using my hands, and then they would very very gradually try to return... I'm convinced that was the weakest part. I'll probably try to do rear struts too in a few months, but for now, I really enjoy the car again.

 

That's good news SC400-V8.

Did you point out the wandering problem to the mechanics that performed the alignment? They should have addressed that issue.