Worn Caster bushing cause vibrating steering wheel?

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Sep 6, 2012 | 07:03 PM
  #1  
I just got a '99 GS300 with 153k miles on it and was inspecting the bushings/ inner/outer tie rods because of massive wheel vibration at around 70 mph. I replaced one outer tie rod due to torn boot and also noticed these bushings look worn. I believe these are caster bushings? Could they be the culprit of the wheel vibration? I had an alignment done last week.
Also, are there any kits available that have all front end bushings?

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Sep 6, 2012 | 07:38 PM
  #2  
don't leave it on the lift or jackstand for too long. Its may getting worse
Quote: I just got a '99 GS300 with 153k miles on it and was inspecting the bushings/ inner/outer tie rods because of massive wheel vibration at around 70 mph. I replaced one outer tie rod due to torn boot and also noticed these bushings look worn. I believe these are caster bushings? Could they be the culprit of the wheel vibration? I had an alignment done last week.
Also, are there any kits available that have all front end bushings?

L-Tune @ Carson Toyota or Sewell Lexus both carry Polyurathene bushing if you can the road noise. Or stick with OEM part and its may last another 150K miles. There is a sticky post regarding caster pushing and plenty of post regarding this topic.
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Sep 7, 2012 | 07:18 AM
  #3  
Thanks, you're right there are too many threads on this topic. Wish we could consolidate it all into one thread with part #s, websites to get the parts and DIY links . I'll probably go with oem.
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Sep 7, 2012 | 07:19 PM
  #4  
Here you go
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...ou-search.html

You will be surprise to see how the car handle after you replaced the Caster arm bushing. I just did mine about three weeks ago. Your mpg will increase as well.
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Sep 8, 2012 | 03:48 AM
  #5  
Quote: Your mpg will increase as well.
lol, explain.....
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Sep 8, 2012 | 08:29 AM
  #6  
Quote: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...ou-search.html

You will be surprise to see how the car handle after you replaced the Caster arm bushing. I just did mine about three weeks ago. Your mpg will increase as well.
You Rock, thanks
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Sep 8, 2012 | 09:22 AM
  #7  
The car track much better than before
Quote: lol, explain.....
My car have the tendancy to drift the right and was really pulling to the right prior to the caster changed. It's was like 17-18 mpg city and 21-22 mpg on freeway. Now 20-21 city alone. The car seem to track much better than before. That is what the trip infor telling me. Anyway I just did a trip exactly 200 miles, 40/60 city/freeway. And am manually calculated on the 1st half of the tank. Maybe you know something that I don't

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sus...and-facts.html
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Sep 8, 2012 | 01:34 PM
  #8  
Quote: My car have the tendancy to drift the right and was really pulling to the right prior to the caster changed. It's was like 17-18 mpg city and 21-22 mpg on freeway. Now 20-21 city alone. The car seem to track much better than before. That is what the trip infor telling me. Anyway I just did a trip exactly 200 miles, 40/60 city/freeway. And am manually calculated on the 1st half of the tank. Maybe you know something that I don't

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sus...and-facts.html
lol, no i dont know something different, i just didn't think about the car tracking the road differently as a form of gas mileage reduction. i was thinking you meant performance wise you would gain mileage which wouldn't be the case
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Sep 8, 2012 | 11:27 PM
  #9  
Quote: I just got a '99 GS300 with 153k miles on it and was inspecting the bushings/ inner/outer tie rods because of massive wheel vibration at around 70 mph. I replaced one outer tie rod due to torn boot and also noticed these bushings look worn. I believe these are caster bushings? Could they be the culprit of the wheel vibration? I had an alignment done last week.
Also, are there any kits available that have all front end bushings?

Um, yeah, that bushing is toast!! You'll be amazed at the difference once you have new ones on there.
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Sep 23, 2012 | 07:51 PM
  #10  
so did you replace the caster bushings and did it help the vibration?
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Sep 23, 2012 | 08:15 PM
  #11  
did the poly's from sewell.

ur car will handle great, but if ur wheels are slightly out of balance or even a very slight bend in them, u will feel it more.

if u want the stock soft feel again, then go with oem.
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Sep 24, 2012 | 02:37 PM
  #12  
If the car is stock I would recommend the OEM ones again, they last plenty long and ride fine.

If it is lowered then look at the poly or FIG spherical.
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Sep 25, 2012 | 07:54 AM
  #13  
I just replaced LBJ, UCA, LCA, Caster bushing, and tie rods. I also had my wheels straightened about 6 months ago.

My car has zero vibration at highway speeds. I could not pin point which one had the biggest impact because it was done all at one time.
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Sep 25, 2012 | 01:32 PM
  #14  
Quote: I just replaced LBJ, UCA, LCA, Caster bushing, and tie rods. I also had my wheels straightened about 6 months ago.

My car has zero vibration at highway speeds. I could not pin point which one had the biggest impact because it was done all at one time.
Exactly right.

It's sometimes difficult to pin-point one main culprit because they all influence the vibration.

As an example, if your balance is a little off, but your bushings are all tight and in great shape, you might not feel anything. Take that same slightly off balance and combine it with a badly worn pair of caster bushings that aren't holding the alignment steady and now you might feel something that you didn't feel before.

I'm chasing a light vibe myself. I think mine is mostly attributed to slight play in the hubcentric rings on my hub, but I will be replacing the caster arm and rack bushings at the same time since they need it.
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Sep 25, 2012 | 01:40 PM
  #15  
Quote: Exactly right.

It's sometimes difficult to pin-point one main culprit because they all influence the vibration.

As an example, if your balance is a little off, but your bushings are all tight and in great shape, you might not feel anything. Take that same slightly off balance and combine it with a badly worn pair of caster bushings that aren't holding the alignment steady and now you might feel something that you didn't feel before.

I'm chasing a light vibe myself. I think mine is mostly attributed to slight play in the hubcentric rings on my hub, but I will be replacing the caster arm and rack bushings at the same time since they need it.
Other worn suspension parts not withstanding, replacing the caster arms alone makes a HUGE difference.
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