Who else has replaced front control arms
08-30-04, 12:49 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Who else has replaced front control arms?
I did a search on this, but didn't find a thread that addressed this specifically.
About two weeks ago, I started to notice a subtle noise from the front of the car over subtle up & down movements. This has grown into a full-blown rattle from both left & right sides of the car. It is quite audible at low speeds over any type of irregular surface, bricks, speed bumps, anything that causes the suspension to move up & down. Strangely, the noise goes away under braking- I'll get to that in a minute.
I went to the Lexus dealer parts counter to get a better idea of what was going on. You'd be surprised at how sharp some of these parts guys are. Since they work with their in-house techs and the general public, the often are aware of frequently replaced parts. I described the noise to the parts guy, and he sugggested inspecting the control arms, as they frequently replace these on higher mileage cars. In fact, he said they STOCK these parts for the 98 & 99 GSs, as they used them often.
I went home and began to inspect. What I found was that the longitudinal control arms (they locate the suspension fore & aft, and run rearward from the main lower control arms) are bushed at the body and are bolted directly to the lateral (main) control arm. I used a mirror to inspect the bushed side of the control arm (I will call it the "caster arm"). The rubber was cracked and deteriorated, and I could actually see through part of both bushings.
This somewhat confirmed my suspicion about the lack of noise under braking. My theory is, under braking, the brake torque cpushed on the arm and compresses these these bushings enough to re-engage the torn rubber and eliminate the vibration that creates the rattle. But I could be wrong...
I went back to the dealer and asked to look at the relacement arms. Apparently, the 2000 cars have a different part number, which they did not have in stock. He did have the '98-'99 arms. The bushing do have a recessed area molded into the busings, but you cannot see through them. I ordered the 2000 caster control arms.
Apparently, they typically replace the main lower control arms fairly frequently. I suspect this is more ball joint-related, as my main control arm bushings appeared to be in good shape.
I just wanted to know if any of you have replaced all or some of these control arms...
Advice? Thoughts?
About two weeks ago, I started to notice a subtle noise from the front of the car over subtle up & down movements. This has grown into a full-blown rattle from both left & right sides of the car. It is quite audible at low speeds over any type of irregular surface, bricks, speed bumps, anything that causes the suspension to move up & down. Strangely, the noise goes away under braking- I'll get to that in a minute.
I went to the Lexus dealer parts counter to get a better idea of what was going on. You'd be surprised at how sharp some of these parts guys are. Since they work with their in-house techs and the general public, the often are aware of frequently replaced parts. I described the noise to the parts guy, and he sugggested inspecting the control arms, as they frequently replace these on higher mileage cars. In fact, he said they STOCK these parts for the 98 & 99 GSs, as they used them often.
I went home and began to inspect. What I found was that the longitudinal control arms (they locate the suspension fore & aft, and run rearward from the main lower control arms) are bushed at the body and are bolted directly to the lateral (main) control arm. I used a mirror to inspect the bushed side of the control arm (I will call it the "caster arm"). The rubber was cracked and deteriorated, and I could actually see through part of both bushings.
This somewhat confirmed my suspicion about the lack of noise under braking. My theory is, under braking, the brake torque cpushed on the arm and compresses these these bushings enough to re-engage the torn rubber and eliminate the vibration that creates the rattle. But I could be wrong...
I went back to the dealer and asked to look at the relacement arms. Apparently, the 2000 cars have a different part number, which they did not have in stock. He did have the '98-'99 arms. The bushing do have a recessed area molded into the busings, but you cannot see through them. I ordered the 2000 caster control arms.
Apparently, they typically replace the main lower control arms fairly frequently. I suspect this is more ball joint-related, as my main control arm bushings appeared to be in good shape.
I just wanted to know if any of you have replaced all or some of these control arms...
Advice? Thoughts?
Last edited by SoCalSC4; 08-30-04 at 05:14 PM.
08-30-04, 11:19 PM
#2
bob, you are totally correct on your analysis, and yes, in order to change the stock bushings, you hav eto change the whole control arm coz' lexus they don't sell the bushings alone
bob, can you find a time where we can talk directly? i have some information about the control arm that i can tell you. please HOLD on your control arm purchase, there are something much better for you. please contact me privately and we will discuss.
bob, can you find a time where we can talk directly? i have some information about the control arm that i can tell you. please HOLD on your control arm purchase, there are something much better for you. please contact me privately and we will discuss.
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09-13-04, 07:48 PM
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Re: Who else has replaced front control arms?
Originally posted by SoCalSC4
I started to notice a subtle noise from the front of the car over subtle up & down movements.
I started to notice a subtle noise from the front of the car over subtle up & down movements.
After two days, the sound is back... Can this be the same issue? If so, is this 'secret' fix applicable to 2001?
Thanks!
09-13-04, 08:41 PM
#9
I am not sure exactly what rominl was referring to but I am only guessing that it is this:
http://www.daizensporttuning.com/pro..._bushings.html
It is not a "secret" fix, just a more economical way to deal with worn out bushings without buying the whole control arm from Lexus. Install will still be costly but at least the parts won't. If your situation is not related to the arm/bushing then this fix, secret or not, won't help you.
The only reason it was deemed a "secret" is that Daizen has not officially announced that it is ready for release on the GS. No one wanted to say it is available until it actually is. I do know that it is being tested on a GS right now (not mine
).
If I am wrong in terms of what rominl was talking about, I'm sure he will correct it when he comes back from vacation.
http://www.daizensporttuning.com/pro..._bushings.html
It is not a "secret" fix, just a more economical way to deal with worn out bushings without buying the whole control arm from Lexus. Install will still be costly but at least the parts won't. If your situation is not related to the arm/bushing then this fix, secret or not, won't help you.
The only reason it was deemed a "secret" is that Daizen has not officially announced that it is ready for release on the GS. No one wanted to say it is available until it actually is. I do know that it is being tested on a GS right now (not mine
).If I am wrong in terms of what rominl was talking about, I'm sure he will correct it when he comes back from vacation.
09-13-04, 08:58 PM
#10
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I might have the same issue. I hear the noise coming from my front passenger side. It sounds more like jiggling keys when the car is rolling over uneven payment at 15-40 mph. I am not sure if it is my brake pads, because it's due for a change. I am going to do that first and if it doesn't fix the problem, I will look into the Daizen bushing kit.
09-14-04, 05:40 PM
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Originally posted by Neo
It is not a "secret" fix, just a more economical way to deal with worn out bushings without buying the whole control arm from Lexus.
It is not a "secret" fix, just a more economical way to deal with worn out bushings without buying the whole control arm from Lexus.
Tomorrow I will crawl under the car and check it out...
09-17-04, 01:38 AM
#12
Originally posted by ratLh8r
I'm still under warranty. I think I should insist they check the bushings. I kind of feel like they gave me the runaround - I'm sure they know what it is.
Tomorrow I will crawl under the car and check it out...
I'm still under warranty. I think I should insist they check the bushings. I kind of feel like they gave me the runaround - I'm sure they know what it is.
Tomorrow I will crawl under the car and check it out...
09-17-04, 01:40 AM
#13
i didn't say much about the product coz' it's still not 100% done and i don't want to just throw out rocks. as far as i know the control arm bushing is pretty much done and test results look very positive. i will just stop there without giving too much hope. don't ask me where to buy and stuff, it's not up for sale yet as far as i know. but i hope it's available soon
hell, i need the first set on my car!
hell, i need the first set on my car!
11-21-04, 06:53 AM
#14
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Control Arm Bushings
I ordered the control arm bushings from Daizen Sport Tuning for my 1992 LS400, but the parts have been backordered. Has anyone else experienced this? If you did, were the parts available in a reasonable period?
I am trying to decide whether to wait for Daizen to fill the backorder, or order directly from Lexus or another supplier. Is there another source?
I am trying to decide whether to wait for Daizen to fill the backorder, or order directly from Lexus or another supplier. Is there another source?
11-21-04, 11:52 PM
#15
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Re: Control Arm Bushings
Originally posted by Petergun1
I ordered the control arm bushings from Daizen Sport Tuning for my 1992 LS400, but the parts have been backordered. Has anyone else experienced this? If you did, were the parts available in a reasonable period?
I am trying to decide whether to wait for Daizen to fill the backorder, or order directly from Lexus or another supplier. Is there another source?
I ordered the control arm bushings from Daizen Sport Tuning for my 1992 LS400, but the parts have been backordered. Has anyone else experienced this? If you did, were the parts available in a reasonable period?
I am trying to decide whether to wait for Daizen to fill the backorder, or order directly from Lexus or another supplier. Is there another source?
VFT Bushes
Found him to be excellent to deal with and product of very high quality
Restored my high mileage SC to like new ride and handling