Warning To All 2nd Gen Gs Owners
#181
I guess my point is that there really isn't anything to complain about. Our lower ball joints will eventually fail if not replaced when they need it (hence the "tear" part of "wear-and-tear item"). Those that have broken are just those that were not maintained properly.
Your complaint says that your LBJ's were making creaking noises, you didn't replace them, and then one failed. So what's to complain about? If my brakes were squealing and I didn't replace the pads and then my brakes failed causing damage to my car, is that Lexus' fault? Should I write the NHTSA about it?
I'm not trying to be a jerk. But I do think this whole "It's a Lexus...this shouldn't happen." attitude 2GS owners have about their lower ball joints is a bit ridiculous. Especially if you've read the owner's manual – which tells you precisely how to care for them.
If you had a mechanic tell you that your lower ball joints with over 75k miles on them were fine and then they failed, I'd complain about the mechanic, not the car.
Your complaint says that your LBJ's were making creaking noises, you didn't replace them, and then one failed. So what's to complain about? If my brakes were squealing and I didn't replace the pads and then my brakes failed causing damage to my car, is that Lexus' fault? Should I write the NHTSA about it?
I'm not trying to be a jerk. But I do think this whole "It's a Lexus...this shouldn't happen." attitude 2GS owners have about their lower ball joints is a bit ridiculous. Especially if you've read the owner's manual – which tells you precisely how to care for them.
If you had a mechanic tell you that your lower ball joints with over 75k miles on them were fine and then they failed, I'd complain about the mechanic, not the car.
I'm not trying to be a jerk or anything like that bro and I don't think you are
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I found this on the http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/complaints/results.cfm
I would say that since there is only one complaint there is no way that we would get any kind of recall. I think that everyone that has a bad ball joint removed needs to complain to get Toyota to do anything.
the NHTSB also shows a recall for the 97 GS ball joint due to lubrication. HMM.. Maybe this is our issue.
this is the only complaint on their website for 98.
Complaints Summary
Make: LEXUS
Model: GS
Year: 1998
Complaint Number: 10213228
Summary:
ANOTHER LEXUS GS-300 OWNER FILED THIS REPORT ON MARCH 6, 2007: "WE OWN A 1998 LEXUS, MODEL GS 300. THIS SATURDAY MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE LEXUS AND THE ENTIRE WHEEL ASSEMBLY CAME OFF THE VEHICLE DUE THE FAILURE OF THE LOWER BALL JOINT. IN REVIEWING RECALL INFORMATION FOR LEXUS\TOYOTA, IT IS VERY APPARENT THERE IS AN ONGOING ISSUE OF QUALITY CONTROL RELATED TO THEIR LOWER BALL JOINTS. FOR OUR SPECIFIC MODEL, THERE WAS A RECALL IN 93, 94, 95, 96 AND 97 SPECIFIC TO THIS PART. GIVEN WE HAVE A 98 AND A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED (YET), THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO PROVIDE US WITH ANY ACCOMMODATION TOWARDS FIXING THE FAILED PART, OR THE RESULTING BODY DAMAGE RELATED TO THE VEHICLE TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD ON ONLY THREE WHEEL. FORTUNATELY, WE WERE NOT TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, BUT A SIDE STREET WHEN THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED. BUT MOREOVER, REGARDLESS OF OUR FINANCIAL LOSS, IN MY OPINION, THIS IS A PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERN..." WE EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR FAILURE WHEREIN THE LOWER DRIVER'S SIDE BALL JOINT FAILED WHILE BACKING OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY. PRIOR TO THIS EVENT THE WHOLE FRONT SUSPENSION HAS BEEN MAKING A "CREAKING" NOISE DURING SLOW DRIVING WHILE TURNING. *TR
BP
Last edited by kevin.tran; 02-05-09 at 12:16 PM.
#183
I'd like to know this too.
I bought a 2001 gs430 last week. Rides super smooth with no noises..... but now i'm paranoid.
#184
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (4)
my friend has a 01 gs430 @ 150k miles and has never changed the ball joints. i checked it a few months back and it seems fine. i changed my '01 @ 105k just to be on the safe side. remember most of you bought your car pre-owned and you don't know what the car's been through in terms of driving style.
the '01 joints are a lot stronger, and all the new joints you buy from the dealer is the 01+ joint.
the '01 joints are a lot stronger, and all the new joints you buy from the dealer is the 01+ joint.
#185
Holy cr^p! Kevin you are ok! oh ******! my 200 gs just turn 100K and all kind of noises. brakepump, pumps very 4-5 pedal steps, exhaust leaks, winshield cracked, oilpan leaks, wife hit the garage banked up left side bumber, been through theft recovery, but the car is a demon, still pulled strong, all electronics works, that why i still love driving it. can't say i'm ready for that, thanks Kevin, if any car need new balljoints, it is mine. Glad you're came out of it!
#188
Driver School Candidate
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Question:
My car shakes as I am going 60+ in it. When I turn I hear the pop/thump you guys are talking about. My mechanic said I need to replace my lower control arms and my caster arm on the passenger's side. Should I ignore his advice and just get the ball-joints? Or should I replace everything and send my debt into a bigger hole?
Thanks
My car shakes as I am going 60+ in it. When I turn I hear the pop/thump you guys are talking about. My mechanic said I need to replace my lower control arms and my caster arm on the passenger's side. Should I ignore his advice and just get the ball-joints? Or should I replace everything and send my debt into a bigger hole?
Thanks
#189
Pole Position
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start with ball joint's i say as chance's are they shoud be replaced by now anyway..
while your at it,maybe get the daizen control arm bushing kit to fit aswell,although it's on back order
while your at it,maybe get the daizen control arm bushing kit to fit aswell,although it's on back order
#191
For those of you who have replaced your ball joints, has anyone had to replace them for a second time? 99 GS4 with 136,000 miles. I replaced the ball joints at 80,000 (as well as the stock shocks all around), so it's been 56,000 miles. It's hard to explain, but my front end feels and sounds loose. When I drive slowly over uneven pavement, I hear this soft, hollow clunking noise. Could the ball joints need replacing again?
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#193
#194
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Hey Lexizm thanks. I thought it may be the ball joints but not sure? Does anyone know where you get replacement ball joints? and are they a DIY or do you have to have some special tool? Now Im kinda freaked to drive my baby for the sake of hurting my son and wife?