400 Degrez

Is replacing ball joints and tie rods a do it yourself job? How many have completed the job? How much does this job cost at lexus?

BLAZE

iTrader: (2)

If you have some mechanical backround and a decent set of tools it can be a do it yourself job. I did my own, but I didn't have all the right tools at hand, so it took me a little longer. Not too hard, but you gotta really beat on the old ball joint hard to dislodge it from the spindle. You need to be carefull with the wheel sensor, which also runs along the spindle. If you damage this, you are looking at a pretty penny to replace. I think you are in tampa, and if this is true they quoted me like $540. You may also want to try an independent shop, they are usually much less. Good luck Also if you are doing the tie rods be sure to get a wheel alignment afterwards. You can count the # of turns it takes to take them off, and install with the same amount, but this is only enough to get it "about right"

rgarjr

iTrader: (1)

It should be farily easy to change them out. You don't need all that many tools either, just a few sockets, a pitman puller and some time. I'll be swapping mine out when they get here, I think they are still the original ones.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

It's not that hard. Only a few things to remove. I'm confident that if you can do it yourself.

my666gs4

diy, its very easy to do depending on if youve ever worked on a car before.

400 Degrez

thanks I have some mech skills

Lexizm

iTrader: (2)

You can do it; it's really not that hard and you'll thank your pockets afterwards.

sbgs400

very easy, the only thing that the average person may not have laying around is a pittman puller and those are pretty cheap.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

yea. pitman puller is the only thing out of the ordinary tools you'll need. I bought mine for $10 at Autozone.

alister

iTrader: (1)

I thought someone had a small write-up or info thread on here too if I recall correctly.

DonJuan45i

I havent looked at the Gs's but I recently was going to do a minivans, was very straight forward, can easily be done, i just didnt have the correct tools.

Since I was running out of time, I ended up taking to midas where they only charged me $100 to get it done. on top of that they alligned it to make sure it was correct. they got it done in like 20 min.

you cant go wrong both ways.

BA_GS400

iTrader: (1)

Like GSteg said, that $10-$12 Autozone Pitman puller is the key. I used it for the balljoint too! (but a big hammer will work like someone said.)

FYI, of course you'll need an alignment when done. Don't wait too long to do it either, else you risk wearing the tire badly depending upon how much your alignment changes with the new parts.

Count the threads or turns on the existing tie-rod before taking it off to ensure your new one goes on the same amount.

eman88

iTrader: (2)

I did mine as well, took some hours of work, but it wasnt all that hard to do, just get the right tools and you should be fine..there is a complete write-up on this...I rented the tools from Autozone free of charge...

alister

iTrader: (1)

Ack. There are a lot of results in my search. Does anyone have a direct link to the write-up thread?

4GRAINR

Even though everyone tells you how easy it is, I had a shop (non-dealer) do it. It didn't take long, the price was good and I knew it would be done right. I've done a lot of mechanical work around the house during my remodel, but car things I would rather have a professional do it since there is a lot at stake.