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I would do the balljoints, outer tie rods, and get an alignment all at the same time. The car will feel a lot tighter!Originally Posted by intoran
I'd like to know this as well. I just bought an 01 GS430 with 45k, always garaged. For piece of mind I am going to order the MOOG lowers, but wanted to see if there were any suggestions for changing out other parts at the same time just due to the age.
Driver School Candidate
i know this is an old thread but i couldn't seem to find a average mileage marker for this. i've owned mine for 9 months and it has 150,000 miles... advice to just do it?
Driver
I would just do it to be on the safe side. Better to be safe than sorry. 
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Originally Posted by Bad99GS400
i know this is an old thread but i couldn't seem to find a average mileage marker for this. i've owned mine for 9 months and it has 150,000 miles... advice to just do it?
Banned Created Multiple Accounts
My moog ball joints and outer tie rods should be delivered tomorrow,Im not hearing no noise but I rather have that peace of mind that there good....
Advanced
My 2003 GS just clocked 161k miles and the dealership says I have play in the front suspension and recommends replacing the front lower ***** joints at $454.03 and the front upper control arms at $1741.41. (and an alignment at $124.95) I thought this seemed really high, so I'm taking it to a local dealer alternative shop with a good rep. Am I wrong in thinking this should not cost upwards of $2300.00?
Lead Lap
Front upper control arms should not need to be replaced...like...ever. All they do is hold the wheel straight up. There is no weight and very little stress on them.
Lower ball joints are a do-it-yourself job if you're mechanically inclined enough to, say, change your own oil. Just follow the write-up from this site. If you want to take it to an outside shop to do it, they can easily knock it out in under 2 hours. Even at an expensive shop that's less than $200 in labor.
You should be out the door for no more than $400-$500, all-in.
The dealership saw you coming from miles away....
Lower ball joints are a do-it-yourself job if you're mechanically inclined enough to, say, change your own oil. Just follow the write-up from this site. If you want to take it to an outside shop to do it, they can easily knock it out in under 2 hours. Even at an expensive shop that's less than $200 in labor.
You should be out the door for no more than $400-$500, all-in.
The dealership saw you coming from miles away....
how can u say not to change the upper control arm ? if there worn then there's slop in the ball joint therefore unable to keep the wheel straight.
Sent from my iPhone using IB AutoGroup
Sent from my iPhone using IB AutoGroup
Driver School Candidate
even from new (of gs430)it was always a little vague, thought it was normal, our car must have been a demo, had a bout 1,000 miles on it... maybe someone wacked a pothole or something, anyway after replacing everything its better than new. was just under 2k at an independent.
Advanced
Quote:
Lower ball joints are a do-it-yourself job if you're mechanically inclined enough to, say, change your own oil. Just follow the write-up from this site. If you want to take it to an outside shop to do it, they can easily knock it out in under 2 hours. Even at an expensive shop that's less than $200 in labor.
You should be out the door for no more than $400-$500, all-in.
The dealership saw you coming from miles away....
Got my car back yesterday evening from the independent. The tech said there was nothing wrong with the upper control arms, but the ball joints did need to be replaced as they had 3-4mm of play along with two worn out hood struts. Out the door for $680.00 and the car drives like new!Originally Posted by mk2tmr2
Front upper control arms should not need to be replaced...like...ever. All they do is hold the wheel straight up. There is no weight and very little stress on them. Lower ball joints are a do-it-yourself job if you're mechanically inclined enough to, say, change your own oil. Just follow the write-up from this site. If you want to take it to an outside shop to do it, they can easily knock it out in under 2 hours. Even at an expensive shop that's less than $200 in labor.
You should be out the door for no more than $400-$500, all-in.
The dealership saw you coming from miles away....
I've been taking my vehicles to the local Lexus dealership for 12 years now and along the way have had many repairs done with them. I'm beginning to wonder just how many of those repairs were truly necessary and what exorbitant price I probably paid.
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I've been taking my vehicles to the local Lexus dealership for 12 years now and along the way have had many repairs done with them. I'm beginning to wonder just how many of those repairs were truly necessary and what exorbitant price I probably paid.
My alignment is under warranty but i'm paying $200 to get my UCA installed.. I could probably do it myself but why not have them do it before the alignment..Originally Posted by Jayson
Got my car back yesterday evening from the independent. The tech said there was nothing wrong with the upper control arms, but the ball joints did need to be replaced as they had 3-4mm of play along with two worn out hood struts. Out the door for $680.00 and the car drives like new!I've been taking my vehicles to the local Lexus dealership for 12 years now and along the way have had many repairs done with them. I'm beginning to wonder just how many of those repairs were truly necessary and what exorbitant price I probably paid.
Driver
Just joined the forum and this is what everyone is saying to do. So now I'm on a LCA hunt lol.
Driver School Candidate
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Replaced my lower ball joints around 150K mark. At 216K now and just told its time to replace upper control arm. $1900 dealer (1300 parts). Ouch, but finding alternatives sites for authentic parts and suggestions for aftermarket parts which are pretty cheap.Originally Posted by Bad99GS400
i know this is an old thread but i couldn't seem to find a average mileage marker for this. i've owned mine for 9 months and it has 150,000 miles... advice to just do it?
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Multiple threads on replacing UCA's. Ebay and Rockauto are your best choices IMO...Originally Posted by Bevfab5
Replaced my lower ball joints around 150K mark. At 216K now and just told its time to replace upper control arm. $1900 dealer (1300 parts). Ouch, but finding alternatives sites for authentic parts and suggestions for aftermarket parts which are pretty cheap.
Driver School Candidate
Found Front Upper Control Arm set through Sewell Lexus Parts for $736 plus shipping vs $1300 at dealer parts department. Ordered part on Wednesday morning and part arrived on Friday afternoon. Labor estim at $400-450. Aftermarket parts didn't provide enough discount, so just stuck with Lexus part.