i'm about to get my car dropped and at the same time replacing my lower ball joints. since i'm doing all this, i was wondering if you guys know if the caster arm bushings can be replaced. does the dealer sell oem bushings or would i have to change the whole assembly like the picture i attached? thanks.

 

No,
the bushings are not available on its own (not in Ireland anyway). They only sell the complete arms for €180 each ~ $240.

And that is why I am replacing them soon with Daizen bushings.

 

how difficult is it to change out the bushings with daizens if going that route?

 

All the info you need is here:

http://sr1.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=176231

and here:

http://sr1.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=217506

and here:

http://sr1.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=206934

 

Well you will need to go to a shop, unless you have the tools for this job. You will need a press, 10ton will do. You will need to take those stock bushings out of there. The best way I was able to do it, is cut the bushing and the metal sleeve encasing it with a Sawzal. Then bend the metal sleeve in, and hammer the whole thing out. Then you will need a file or a dremmel to smoothe out the the edjes of the arm hole. Lube the bushing up with grease, and press it in, you will know when it is in right away. It will pop in. You will not be able to insert this bushing without a press. Then you hammer in the inner sleeve, put it back on the car, and you are done. This must be the biggest PITA bushing to do out of the whole kit.

 

man, i think i'm just gonna go oem and do the swap myself.

i heard there's a difference between the 98-00 and the 01+ casters. what would be the reason for the difference and can i go wrong putting in the 01+ designs?

 

i did all mines with a air chisel, torch, airsaw. lmao and it worked out! just took about 2-3 hours! thats the FAT ONE? the one that looks like the end of a mallet bushing? lol yeah that ones was a pain every time i pressed it in and i couldn't find things to sit it in straight it would jsut pop back out to much space to cover! but if u get the kit auto shops charge about $15-$20 more or less to press each bushing so mabe you could do the rest and bring those arms to a shop and have them just press 2 in for you if u do decide to diy

 

Yes there is. The part numbers are:

JZS16# 03.01-
- Front suspension lower arm No.2 RH (item # 48660-30281)
- Front suspension lower arm No.2 LH (item # 48670-30281)

JZS16# 99.08-03.01
- Front suspension lower arm No.2 RH (item # 48660-30280)
- Front suspension lower arm No.2 LH (item # 48670-30280)

JZS16# 97.08-99.08
- Front suspension lower arm No.2 RH (item # 48660-30240)
- Front suspension lower arm No.2 LH (item # 48670-30240)


For the 97-99 version, Sewell sell them for $118 each.

I have these on order from Sewell at the moment I was going to go Daizen, but I changed my mind as I wanted comfort/OEM/easy-to-install vs. sportier/harder/harder-to-install bushings.

 

Castor wise, you won't feel a sportier effect. Install wise, you will see, changing those damn arms is half the battle. Taking it out is one thing, putting it back is another. But you will never get that stupid clunk when going reverse, or exiting your driveway. It's up to you.

 

I got my new arms delivered yesterday from Sewell. Wow, super-fast delivery for the price.

These arms in Ireland are €180 (~ $240) EACH, so that would have cost me nearly $500 for the parts!!,
Sewell delivered them in 3 days for a total of $118 for each of the arms + $44 delivery, total $280, nearly half the price!!.

I will DEFINETLY use Sewell www.lexus-parts.com for all my parts again and again.!!!

I am putting these arms in this weekend, I will let you know if it cured my problems

 

I put them in today, it made a noticable difference!

The steering is sharper, more responsive and removed some of the play. The cold 60mph vibration *seems* to be gone, only time will tell.

 

I had to replace the driver side caster arm when we stripped the bolt it while installing my toms coilovers.

Many people don't realize this key bushing to replace to get rid of the infamous GS steering wheel vibration problem.

I only replaced the driverside one; and that alone cleared up about 80% of the vibration problem. I'm replacing the driverside caster arm soon along with a new set of ball joints. Hopefully, this were cure the remaining 20%.

I HIGHLY recommend replacing the caster arm on a high milage GS. I wonder if its worth changing out the outter tie rods as well... hmm...

 

I def need to replace mine.. Where did you order yours from? Are they pricey?

 

How hard is it to DIY the caster arm?

 

Replacing the caster arms are not difficult. You will need an impact gun with 650 to 750 lb-ft-torque, jack stands, and a jack to jack up the lower control arm to align the bolts's hole to the caster arms. I found that was the easiest way to get the bolts back in. I already changed mine, and I am now wating for the upper control arms which quite an expensive. You might get away by not using an impact gun, if you are strong enough. In my case, I prefer an impact gun which get the job done a little quicker. You will need to remove three bolts from the caster arm on each side, then another 8 botls (may be 12mm) from the holding bracket. The caster arm two bolts might be a 14mm which attached to the lower control arm. I did not buy the Daizen bushing, I bought the oem from my lexus dealer with 20% discount. It is too hassle to replace just the bushings. That's just me. Good luck with your DIY whichever suite you best. Good luck.