ball joints and control arm problems
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: ca
ball joints and control arm problems
I have a 2000 GS 3000 with 65,000 miles on it. My mechanic reccomends that I replace my (both sides) lower ball joints, upper control arms, and struts. I've heard rattling coming from the driver side especially when I go over speed bumps. Is this a common problem on these cars espically at my low milleage? My mechanic said he would replace these things and to save me money he said buy the parts online. Where is a good place to get Lexus parts and he said that KYB are the best struts for this car? Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Suspension items on Lexus and many luxury cars start to wear down fast after 60K miles. Reason is all that nice soft comfortable ride has to be achieved somehow. That usually is in the rubber bushings absorbing most of the vibration. While your cars suspension components may not actually be bad at this point yet, they will definitely start degrading quickly and by 100K miles more than likely would need replacing. If your mechanic inspected them, you trust his honestly, I would replace it.
Lower ball joints is a major item to watch. Unlike many other cars that simply wear and the ball joint just becomes loose and has play, the GS lower ball joint is known to fail and literally break the bolt in half and you'll loose all steering control as the wheel will separate from the hub. It has happened many times before. Most of us change our lower ball joints a little early for preventative measure since they are cheap. Cost about $135 for a pair (Left and Right).
Lower ball joints is a major item to watch. Unlike many other cars that simply wear and the ball joint just becomes loose and has play, the GS lower ball joint is known to fail and literally break the bolt in half and you'll loose all steering control as the wheel will separate from the hub. It has happened many times before. Most of us change our lower ball joints a little early for preventative measure since they are cheap. Cost about $135 for a pair (Left and Right).
I have a 2000 GS 3000 with 65,000 miles on it. My mechanic reccomends that I replace my (both sides) lower ball joints, upper control arms, and struts. I've heard rattling coming from the driver side especially when I go over speed bumps. Is this a common problem on these cars espically at my low milleage? My mechanic said he would replace these things and to save me money he said buy the parts online. Where is a good place to get Lexus parts and he said that KYB are the best struts for this car? Any help will be greatly appreciated.
For OEM suspension parts (ball joints, control arms, etc) I would go to Sewell Lexus
www.sewellpartsonline.com
For shocks, Tire Rack
www.tirerack.com
If you call them make sure to mention CL for the best pricing, it helps.
Oh, if you're going to replace your shocks you might as well give yourself a little drop with some lowering springs
I have a 2000 GS 3000 with 65,000 miles on it. My mechanic reccomends that I replace my (both sides) lower ball joints, upper control arms, and struts. I've heard rattling coming from the driver side especially when I go over speed bumps. Is this a common problem on these cars espically at my low milleage? My mechanic said he would replace these things and to save me money he said buy the parts online. Where is a good place to get Lexus parts and he said that KYB are the best struts for this car? Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: ca
I found two KBR gas struts and two upper control arms rt and lft - Made by MEVOTECH all for $650. Sounds like a good price for all those parts. Anybody have experience with that brand?
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: ca
Found Good Price for Upper Control Arms and KBR STRUTS
GOOD PRICE FOR STRUTS AND CONTROL ARMS - $650 for everything. I have a 2000 GS 3000 with 65,000 miles on it. My mechanic reccomends that I replace my (both sides) lower ball joints, upper control arms, and struts. I've heard rattling coming from the driver side especially when I go over speed bumps. Is this a common problem on these cars espically at my low milleage? My mechanic said he would replace these things and to save me money he said buy the parts online. Where is a good place to get Lexus parts and he said that KYB are the best struts for this car? Any help will be greatly appreciated.[/QUOTE]
Last edited by therock5; Apr 18, 2009 at 09:28 PM. Reason: new info
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5
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From: OH
Not to hijack this but my 2000 GS300 has terrible vibration in the steering wheel when going over bumps at highway speeds. It really shakes the wheel and can actually feel it pull the steering wheel. I have replaced both upper control arms and lower ball joints only 300 miles ago. Does it sound like struts?
Thanks for the info!!
Thanks for the info!!
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