Ball joints and tie rods replaced - WOW
07-11-05, 10:05 AM
#1
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Ball joints and tie rods replaced - WOW
My GS has now become my daily driver. I never thought the GS would become the beater car but it is currently my oldest and most fuel efficient car!
It became evident that I needed to give a little TLC to the GS. Just passed 75k miles on it. The steering was feeling a bit off. It felt like I was losing a bit of control at low and high speeds. With all my suspension mods I felt there was something else wrong. Had my local Lexus dealer check the play in the ball joints. He said its normal and not bad. Well, that was not a good enough answer for me...so I ordered the ball joints and tie rods. Had it replaced by another mechanic and ....WOW what a difference in the steering. Much more solid and tight.
The difference is night and day and the steering just came alive.
When you replace tie rods you will need to get a 4 wheel alignment.
I was so happy with the results, that I even decided to clean my SRT intake filter and throttle body(TB). The filter was incredibly dirty and the TB well that was just black with soot. I must of went through a whole role of bounty towels cleaning out the TB...it was that dirty.
That was a mini maintenance on the car that did wonders to the overall feeling. Next up will be water pump and timing belt.
It became evident that I needed to give a little TLC to the GS. Just passed 75k miles on it. The steering was feeling a bit off. It felt like I was losing a bit of control at low and high speeds. With all my suspension mods I felt there was something else wrong. Had my local Lexus dealer check the play in the ball joints. He said its normal and not bad. Well, that was not a good enough answer for me...so I ordered the ball joints and tie rods. Had it replaced by another mechanic and ....WOW what a difference in the steering. Much more solid and tight.
The difference is night and day and the steering just came alive.
When you replace tie rods you will need to get a 4 wheel alignment.
I was so happy with the results, that I even decided to clean my SRT intake filter and throttle body(TB). The filter was incredibly dirty and the TB well that was just black with soot. I must of went through a whole role of bounty towels cleaning out the TB...it was that dirty.
That was a mini maintenance on the car that did wonders to the overall feeling. Next up will be water pump and timing belt.
Last edited by DrewGS4; 07-11-05 at 12:49 PM.
07-11-05, 11:53 AM
#3
Originally Posted by DrewGS4
My GS has now become my daily driver. I never thought the GS would become the beater car but it is currently my oldest and most fuel efficient car!
It became evident that I needed to give a little TLC to the GS. Just passed 75k miles on it. The steering was feeling a bit off. It felt like I was losing a bit of control at low and high speeds. With all my suspension mods I felt there was something else wrong. Had my local Lexus dealer check the play in the ball joints. He said its normal and not bad. Well, that was not a good enough answer for me...so I ordered the ball joints and tie rods. Had it replaced by another mechanic and ....WOW what a difference in the steering. Much more solid and tight.
The difference is night and day and the steering just came alive.
When you replace tie rods you will need to get a 4 wheel alignment.
I was so happy with the results, that I even decided to clean my SRT intake filter and carb. The filter was incredibly dirty and the carb well that was just black with soot. I must of went through a whole role of bounty towels cleaning out the carb...it was that dirty.
That was a mini maintenance on the car that did wonders to the overall feeling. Next up will be water pump and timing belt.
It became evident that I needed to give a little TLC to the GS. Just passed 75k miles on it. The steering was feeling a bit off. It felt like I was losing a bit of control at low and high speeds. With all my suspension mods I felt there was something else wrong. Had my local Lexus dealer check the play in the ball joints. He said its normal and not bad. Well, that was not a good enough answer for me...so I ordered the ball joints and tie rods. Had it replaced by another mechanic and ....WOW what a difference in the steering. Much more solid and tight.
The difference is night and day and the steering just came alive.
When you replace tie rods you will need to get a 4 wheel alignment.
I was so happy with the results, that I even decided to clean my SRT intake filter and carb. The filter was incredibly dirty and the carb well that was just black with soot. I must of went through a whole role of bounty towels cleaning out the carb...it was that dirty.
That was a mini maintenance on the car that did wonders to the overall feeling. Next up will be water pump and timing belt.
i got tired on waiting for the daizen bushing so i am picking up a new set of arms this week and will install myself next week with my new toyo t1r tires and get a freash alignment
i am too tired to do it this week for i just finsihed putting in my new two tone int (will post pics soon)
07-11-05, 12:14 PM
#4
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Thanks guys... a definite thing to do for GS with over 70k miles.
Lexforlife, I do not remember your reading your previous post on this topic. I don't mind replacing the balljoints and tie rods every 50k miles. The cost of the parts are very reasonable. The cost of the control arm on the other hand is much more ~$300/each. I am still running with orginal control arms. I really wanted to get the Daizen control arms but not sure when these will be available.
So are you saying that I need to replace the control arm as well to solve the understeering problem? I have not felt this yet but am I to feel it in another 50k miles or sooner. What do you suggest I need to replace..my control arm along with my ball joints and tie rods?
Lexforlife, I do not remember your reading your previous post on this topic. I don't mind replacing the balljoints and tie rods every 50k miles. The cost of the parts are very reasonable. The cost of the control arm on the other hand is much more ~$300/each. I am still running with orginal control arms. I really wanted to get the Daizen control arms but not sure when these will be available.
So are you saying that I need to replace the control arm as well to solve the understeering problem? I have not felt this yet but am I to feel it in another 50k miles or sooner. What do you suggest I need to replace..my control arm along with my ball joints and tie rods?
07-11-05, 12:23 PM
#5
Originally Posted by DrewGS4
I really wanted to get the Daizen control arms but not sure when these will be available.
07-11-05, 12:46 PM
#7
Originally Posted by DrewGS4
My GS has now become my daily driver. I never thought the GS would become the beater car but it is currently my oldest and most fuel efficient car!
It became evident that I needed to give a little TLC to the GS. Just passed 75k miles on it. The steering was feeling a bit off. It felt like I was losing a bit of control at low and high speeds. With all my suspension mods I felt there was something else wrong. Had my local Lexus dealer check the play in the ball joints. He said its normal and not bad. Well, that was not a good enough answer for me...so I ordered the ball joints and tie rods. Had it replaced by another mechanic and ....WOW what a difference in the steering. Much more solid and tight.
The difference is night and day and the steering just came alive.
When you replace tie rods you will need to get a 4 wheel alignment.
I was so happy with the results, that I even decided to clean my SRT intake filter and carb. The filter was incredibly dirty and the carb well that was just black with soot. I must of went through a whole role of bounty towels cleaning out the carb...it was that dirty.
That was a mini maintenance on the car that did wonders to the overall feeling. Next up will be water pump and timing belt.
It became evident that I needed to give a little TLC to the GS. Just passed 75k miles on it. The steering was feeling a bit off. It felt like I was losing a bit of control at low and high speeds. With all my suspension mods I felt there was something else wrong. Had my local Lexus dealer check the play in the ball joints. He said its normal and not bad. Well, that was not a good enough answer for me...so I ordered the ball joints and tie rods. Had it replaced by another mechanic and ....WOW what a difference in the steering. Much more solid and tight.
The difference is night and day and the steering just came alive.
When you replace tie rods you will need to get a 4 wheel alignment.
I was so happy with the results, that I even decided to clean my SRT intake filter and carb. The filter was incredibly dirty and the carb well that was just black with soot. I must of went through a whole role of bounty towels cleaning out the carb...it was that dirty.
That was a mini maintenance on the car that did wonders to the overall feeling. Next up will be water pump and timing belt.
Tommy
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07-11-05, 12:52 PM
#8
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Thanks neo for the update. So the bushing will be available soon and time frame?
LMSguy, thanks for pointing that out. My bad as I used a carb spray to clean it and forgot that it was called the throttle body and not the carb. ...
I made the correction.
As for the parts they come out to be roughly $200 bucks for 2 tie rods and 2 ball joints.
LMSguy, thanks for pointing that out. My bad as I used a carb spray to clean it and forgot that it was called the throttle body and not the carb. ...
I made the correction.As for the parts they come out to be roughly $200 bucks for 2 tie rods and 2 ball joints.
07-11-05, 01:01 PM
#9
okay drew heres the deal
the control arm bushings are what wears out rather quickly usually by 50k miles
when you changed the ball joints and tie rod ends you will be now transferring the energy more into the control arm bushings
the arms will cost new approx 180 each those you would change maybe every 50-60k the tie rod ends and balljoints maybe every 60k +
i have already started to feel the understeer because of the movement within the arms/bushings
the control arm bushings are what wears out rather quickly usually by 50k miles
when you changed the ball joints and tie rod ends you will be now transferring the energy more into the control arm bushings
the arms will cost new approx 180 each those you would change maybe every 50-60k the tie rod ends and balljoints maybe every 60k +
i have already started to feel the understeer because of the movement within the arms/bushings
07-11-05, 01:31 PM
#10
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Originally Posted by DrewGS4
Thanks neo for the update. So the bushing will be available soon and time frame?
LMSguy, thanks for pointing that out. My bad as I used a carb spray to clean it and forgot that it was called the throttle body and not the carb. ... I made the correction.
As for the parts they come out to be roughly $200 bucks for 2 tie rods and 2 ball joints.
LMSguy, thanks for pointing that out. My bad as I used a carb spray to clean it and forgot that it was called the throttle body and not the carb. ...
I made the correction.As for the parts they come out to be roughly $200 bucks for 2 tie rods and 2 ball joints.
07-11-05, 02:55 PM
#12
Yes. CRC also has "air intake cleaner", avail at Pep Boys.
Also had same ball joint experience a few months ago. Once replaced, the steering was tight, felt awesome. But now about 5-10k miles later, the steering feels like it did before. I think the ball joints wear quickly, esp. with larger rims.
Also had same ball joint experience a few months ago. Once replaced, the steering was tight, felt awesome. But now about 5-10k miles later, the steering feels like it did before. I think the ball joints wear quickly, esp. with larger rims.
07-11-05, 03:10 PM
#13
Originally Posted by engin_ear
Yes. CRC also has "air intake cleaner", avail at Pep Boys.
Also had same ball joint experience a few months ago. Once replaced, the steering was tight, felt awesome. But now about 5-10k miles later, the steering feels like it did before. I think the ball joints wear quickly, esp. with larger rims.
Also had same ball joint experience a few months ago. Once replaced, the steering was tight, felt awesome. But now about 5-10k miles later, the steering feels like it did before. I think the ball joints wear quickly, esp. with larger rims.
did you ever look into your lower control arm bushings this is what i am explaining to drew within a few thousand miles of doing mine i too exp alittle loosness /understeer and its from the lower control arm bushings now being forced to take all the pressure
07-11-05, 03:19 PM
#14
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I've logged 100K miles on my GS4 and I don't think the ball joints on my car have been replaced yet. I called up Carson Toyota and they asked if I was looking for lower or upper ball joints. I'm guessing I need to replace the lower ball joints. Can someone confirm this?
07-11-05, 03:32 PM
#15
Originally Posted by lexforlife
did you ever look into your lower control arm bushings this is what i am explaining to drew within a few thousand miles of doing mine i too exp alittle loosness /understeer and its from the lower control arm bushings now being forced to take all the pressure
The whole thing is pretty damn irritating if you ask me. Why doesn't Toyota/Lexus have more reliable parts in there? Do people also have these problems with BMW's and Mercedes?