Hmmmm I guess I should get this done to... and the tie rods.. anyone have the part numbers handy, i know I could just look them up but it might be nice to have them in this thread.

 

Alignment necessity after ball joint can be arguable. If they are on the verge on disintergrating and are knocking heavily. Then I would recommend an alignment. Reason being that the suspension had so much play in it that it could of thrown off the alignment. Once you put in the new arms, the suspension geometry will stiffen up significantly and it MIGHT be different than what it was before. Now, if you're replacing balljoints just as preventative maintenance and have no severe wear and tear issues...then in that case I guess you can forgo the alignment.

 

WTF does thayt matter? if i did or not it wont change nething!

i never changed my tie rods, i probably should but i didnt!




ok TO THE OP Ckroush
i got them at a 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 and are $67.68 a side!

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

 

If you changed them yourself, you'd understand what it does properly, and see that you didn't remove anything adjustable, hence no adjusting, hence not changing any alignment specs, hence not needing an alignment.

Again, you definitely only need an alignment when changing tie rods as well.

Jeff brings up a point, but only in extreme situations would that occur, and your car may need a new fender at that point too.

 

Way too much! Dont go to dealer too expensive!

 

I thought I'd update everyone. I paid $110 for the pair from Sewell. One of the parts they sent was wrong though and I didn't know it until the Lexus dealership called me after they had completed half the work. I had to pay an additional $90 for the part through the dealer, but I'm going to call Sewell for a refund.

The dealership, Hendrick Lexus, the only Lexus dealership in Charlotte charged me $100 per side plus $100 for the alignment. I realize this is high and I could have gotten out cheaper at an independent shop, but I paid more for peace of mind. I also asked them to grease the sway bar bushings to stop the horribly loud squeak I hear every time I go over speed bumps.

Total: $461

Let me just say, I had no idea how badly I needed new ball joints until after the work was done. The difference is like night and day. The steering feels crisper and more “sturdy.” The car now feels like it’s actually turning.
The car still squeaks like crazy going over bumps, so either they didn’t actually grease the sway bar bushings or that wasn’t the problem. I have some lithium grease and maybe I’ll just do it myself in the driveway when it’s not 30 degrees. Any ideas on what else it could be? I’ve heard it could be the rubber piece that sits on top of the spring.

Also, the alignment sucks. They charged me $30 more than other places would have and they actually screwed it up. The car pulls to the left really bad so I have an appointment to take it back and have them re-do it.

BTW, the work took them 5 hours so they gave me a loaner. A new 09 RX 350. I could get used to those things. I hate SUVs, but I loved that one.

And here is the stuff they tried to add on to my service:

$570 to replace control arm bushings (***** off)
$170 for a new battery (That much, huh?)
$30 to clean my battery terminals (I can do that with free water and a $2 box of baking soda)

 

Oh I forgot to say... There was another GS there getting their ball joints replaced, only it wasn't "preventative maintenance" if you know what I mean.

 

You better go get that part from the dealer back!

Did you JUST change ball joints? I purchased a pair of lower ball joints, and all they were, were the ball joints, and bolts that go on them. There weren't any other parts that would cost 90 dollars....Just make sure they didn't jack you for something since you didn't purchase from them...

 

Yeah Just ball joints. They gave me back the wrong part from Sewell and put it back in the box with all my paperwork. I wish I knew part numbers, so I'd know if it REALLY WAS a wrong part, or if they just wanted to sell me one with a higher markup.

 

Carson Toyota has them for 121 for each side i believe, that where i got mine from

 

If you ever need some more work done and are in the Columbia SC area, stop by Toyota Center. I am a Service Advisor there and can definately help you out.

 

This thread is getting cold, but I thought I'd say... that $170 for the battery... I should've paid attention.

The car wouldn't crank while I was in the parking lot today. Got jumped off, drove about 4 miles, then it cut off as I entered a parking deck. I had someone help me push it into some handicap spots then jump me off. It died on me after about a minute.

It took me two trips to Toyota, and two trips to the store, about 5 hours to get it replaced and good to go.

I might do that sometime, although that's really kind of far for me. If I ever need some serious work done, I'll definately look you up. Thanks.

 

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Ok guys I have just ordered a pair of Lower Ball Joint for $145 from CasonToyota and a pair of outter tie rods from http://alleurasianautoparts.com/ (free shipping) ,

Lower Ball Joint:

Qty Description Core Price
1 Mechanical Catalog - 2000 - Lexus - GS 300
Front suspension, Lower control arm, Lower ball joint, Lower ball joint, gs300, gs400, right - gs300/400/430, is300, sc430 - GS300/400/430, IS300, SC430 $0.00 $66.08
1 Mechanical Catalog - 2000 - Lexus - GS 300
Front suspension, Lower control arm, Lower ball joint, Lower ball joint, gs300, gs400, left - gs300/400/430, is300, sc430 - GS300/400/430, IS300, SC430 $0.00 $66.08
Sub Total: $132.16
Tax $0.00
Shipping $13.22
Total: $145.38

Outter Tie Rod:

Qty Brand Sku Description Retail Price Core Total
1.00 AAA:SNK M3010-146588 Tie Rod End 54.74 49.38 0.00 49.38
1.00 AAA:SNK M3010-146591 Tie Rod End 73.72 57.07 0.00 57.07

Core Charges: 0.00
Subtotal: 106.45
Additional Shipping Charge: 0.00 Shipping - UPS Ground Residential: 0.00
Total Weight ( 2.70 pounds ):
Tax: 0.00 0.00
Order Total: 106.45


The Total is (Ball Joint + Tie Rod) = $251.83

what u guys think ?? fair enough?

 

Not bad. I bought mine from Sewell Lexus. I had to pay $46 shipping to Hawaii, so it came out more than what others typically pay

It was $107 for the ball joints, and $102 for the tie rods, plus the shipping. All OEM Toyota.

Sub-Total:$209.44
Shipping: $46.55
Tax:$0.00
Total:$255.99

 

It's easier to change the balljoints+tie rod than just changing the balljoints by itself. in fact, it was so easy, I've forgotten how to do it! Inflating tires to the correct PSI is more difficult.