suspension- making car safe for daughter
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
suspension- making car safe for daughter
I have an '02 LS430 that now has 102k mi we inherited from my wife's grandmother a couple of years ago with ~50k mi. At ~88k I replaced the shocks, it has new tires and recent brake job. A knock and rattle have developed in the front end in the past couple months. I inspected the front suspension and found a torn tie rod boot and torn upper control arm boot. There is play also, so one of these is likely the knock culprit.
My teenage daughter is inheriting the car soon and I want make it safe and go ahead and knock everything out, refresh the suspension, instead of chasing one issue after another. I'm planning on replacing both side upper and lower control arms, sway bar link, inner tie rod, and both outer tie rod ends. Am I missing any other front suspension wear component? Anything in the rear suspension I should look for wearing out soon? I am hoping this car lasts her through high school and college. Except for normal wear items, the valve cover gasket is the only issue this car has ever had.
My teenage daughter is inheriting the car soon and I want make it safe and go ahead and knock everything out, refresh the suspension, instead of chasing one issue after another. I'm planning on replacing both side upper and lower control arms, sway bar link, inner tie rod, and both outer tie rod ends. Am I missing any other front suspension wear component? Anything in the rear suspension I should look for wearing out soon? I am hoping this car lasts her through high school and college. Except for normal wear items, the valve cover gasket is the only issue this car has ever had.
#2
Maybe the hubs?
#4
Pole Position
Are you doing the work yourself? I would replace only the components that need replacing. A good independent mechanic should be able to inspect the suspension parts and replace the items that are worn.
You might spend half the value of the car if you go in and say "replace all these components". I'm sure a shop would gladly replace everything and take your money, but hopefully they would caution you to just replace parts that need replacing.
Good luck and keep the thread posted with what you find.
You might spend half the value of the car if you go in and say "replace all these components". I'm sure a shop would gladly replace everything and take your money, but hopefully they would caution you to just replace parts that need replacing.
Good luck and keep the thread posted with what you find.
#6
If not mentioned above... Definitely replace the notorious Lower Control Arm Fluid Filled Bushings! FYI.... Unless it's not true... I was told the lower control arms ordered from Lexus do not have the bushings included which sounds ludicrous! Whatever.
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#8
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
It's pretty straight forward bolt off/bolt on job, so I will do it myself. My logic for doing everything now is that other parts will go bad probably sooner rather than later and I'd rather refresh the whole thing now. I ordered all the parts, mostly Moog, for under $500. That and a Saturday ought to get it done. Lexus shop wanted nearly $3k.
#9
gymraeg, curious how the suspension refresh turned out now that your daughter likely has some miles on the parts. Any clunks or noises? Would you do anything different?
Thanks in advance as i am looking to freshen up my 2004 (non-air suspension).
Thanks in advance as i am looking to freshen up my 2004 (non-air suspension).
#10
Moderator
One more thing worth looking at would be the steering rack bushings. They can wear and cause some unnerving noises..
#11
Lexus Champion
Now all grown up driving nice cars without any problems on the road.
#13
Lexus Fanatic
I noticed that BMW provided defensive driving for new drivers at the Ultimate Driving Experience events, yet those classes even though they were free, would never have enough attendance, opposite of the adult autocrosses, which were waitlisted..
imho it is very necessary for people to update their skills. NYS offered insurance discounts every 3 years for everybody, just like at work we need to do a physical at least every 2 yrs. to get a discount.
My parents only did defensive driving when they reached 55. Newsflash, you can be 32, and a bad or absent-minded driver, it's been 16 yrs. since you had contact with DMV! I'm sure the insurance lobby somehow fought the discounts....
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/rober...b_9290232.html
#14
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Problem was solved.... I bought her a new Subaru Crosstrek. The LS430 is parked in the garage for the winter. I'll deal with it this Spring.