Did my lower control arm #2s last week and just finished the lower ball joints today. 146,000 miles and 100k of that was lowered. I was not looking for a wheel to fly off after reading about it here. Thanks CL!

 

I've been a long time member, but mostly just lurking. This is a great post. My 1999 GS400 has 150k on it right now, and I'm getting ready to do some suspension replacements (shocks/struts). I'm all stock, so no lowering in my future.

I used to have all my work done at Lexus, so I remember when they asked me to replace this. I looked it up in my receipts and it was 2007 at 115k miles. I remember the service guy telling me they wanted to replace the ball joints, which I thought was very strange, but he seemed insistent, so I had them do it. I'm really glad they did! So this is not an "unknown", if Lexus was hounding me to do it back in '07 on my stock 1999 GS400.

Now I've just got to hold my breath to see how much its going to cost to get the suspension "updated". I know shocks are needed, I'm going to have to find out what other things I need.

 

Are most of you guys replacing the lower balljoints with OEMs or are there aftermarket alternatives that are better?

 

stay away from the aftermarket brands....

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sus...ll-joints.html

i got mine at a local place called car quest the one i ordered mine from is (901) 373-8464 but they are nationwide too. very helpful place, they came sealed in the oem toyota bags as they are a OEM toyota part and are $67.68 a side! (NOW they are even cheaper at $67.59 a side)

on the left lower part # is L2020-139818-OES
on the right lower part # is L2020-139817-OES

or sewell has them for $133.12 shipped.

 

Thanks a lot for that heads up! You wouldn't happen to know the parts #s for the tie rods too would you?

 

Noo ne questioning this post about the rears? yet another concern? anyone?

 

I just thought I would update this thread.

When I got home from school last week I started driving my car and noticed that whenever I would steer at low speeds or at a stop, the front suspension (especially the right side) would make an AWFUL creaking/squeaking noise. I have since parked the car and I am bringing it to the mechanic tomorrow to have it diagnosed.

I'm pretty sure it's the lower ball joints if I am reading all of the 19 pages on the discussion correctly, so I will keep you all updated on what happens. My car is a 2000 GS300 with 110,000 on the odometer. I got the suspension inspected in September and the mechanic said it all looked fine. Given the nature of our cars however, I think it's absolutely plausible for the ball joints to be a culprit here still. I don't know where else the sound could be coming from. It is incredibly frustrating to have such a luxurious car with a bulletproof powertrain to have stupid suspension problems such as this.

I pray they don't break on the drive to the mechanic tomorrow morning.

 

you should be fine for one last drive man..just nice easy slow driving. ..

I bought my car 3 weeks ago wit h148xxx..no clue if they have been changed but the suspension is dead silent. only issue im having is vibration..which i believe it to be tire balancing.

ON A SIDE NOTE

has anyone ever run this stuff? for replacement parts.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lexus-GS300-...item5ade94ccfd

 

Replaced the following on the front end:

-Upper control arms
-Lower ball joints
-Right wheel bearing

Whisper quiet. No sound coming from the front end at all. The upper control arms are on the expensive end but the results are just wonderful. My steering is back to normal and the car actually sounds like a Lexus.

 

did you get OEM UCA?

 

Yes.

$490.00 a pop from the dealer. Ouch.

 

OUCH.... so $980 + tax no ty

im still waiting on these

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sus...roto-pics.html

 

Yeah, and that's before the labor too

It was a pricey job but I feel much better about the ride of my car now. Also, all the work done with my mechanic has a 12 month/unlimited mile warranty soif anything goes wrong I can always bring it back.

Brian, how much do those UCAs go for?

 

no clue yet....

 

the install isnt that hard FYI. prolly coulda saved you some $$ if you DIY

but $1k for UCA is really steep :/

hopefully FIGs isnt that much... I might have to look into aftermarket UCA later on if its all expensive lol