Lukas99GS

Lexus has reccomended I do the upper ball joints, which I've come to understand you have to buy the entire control arm to do, Lexus wanted 1660$ to do them, it seems like they'd be fairly easy to replace at least right? I'm no mechanic but i can do basic projects, my big question however is has anyone bought any besides oem? It's sounding like oem control arms are in the 500-600$ range a piece, I thought I saw some on rockauto for 150ish but I could be mistaken, I guess I'd just like to know if aftermarket parts would degrade the ride quality of the car I like to buy oem but I'm on a budget at the moment, but if anyone's had problems with aftermarket ill save for the oem.

DarKnight

iTrader: (3)

I did mine with aftermarket control arms and the quality seems to be on par with the OEM ones. Save yourself the cash from the overpriced OEM ones. The job isn't difficult either especially if you're on stock suspension. The only snag I ran into was that I have aftermarket springs on the stock shocks so I had to remove the shocks because the bolts wouldn't come out completely since the springs are more compressed.

repugnante

What brand did you go with? How long have you been running them?

Lukas99GS

I may have to go with aftermarket, if and when I do I'll be sure to leave a write up with how it went, I think you only have to remove three screws right? And then you'd need an alignment I believe?

CodPiece

Let me know which aftermarket ones you end up buying. I'm currently looking at the moment.

DarKnight

iTrader: (3)

I bought Dorman. The part #'s are 520-457 & 520-458. They have them on Amazon for less than $100 each.

CodPiece

Those are front upper arms.

OP referring to rear upper arms...I think?

At least I was.

DarKnight

iTrader: (3)

I think the op might have been referring to the front ones because Rock Auto doesn't sell the rear ones for our cars, at least from what I saw. As far as the rear UCA, from my quick search, aftermarket seem to be pretty expensive as well. You might be able to save a few hundred dollars by going aftermarket. They go for about $1,200 for the pair on Sewell Lexus Parts with the Club Lexus discount, about $1,000 for the pair on Amazon.

tmf2004

iTrader: (15)

i just replaced my UCA with a set from ebay a few weeks ago and the install went easier than i thought. The alignment shop wanted $212 for installation so i figured i would do it myself.. The hardest part is working on the car while on the ground.. After a few hours i was so sore from wrenching in a seated position..

Lukas99GS

I did see oem new UCAs for 370$ each on eBay which still expensive is a lot cheaper than what the dealer wanted, seems the labor is actually pretty easy? I'd have to do it on the ground too though..

Revive

iTrader: (1)

Lukas, you're talking about rear upper arms yea?

Lukas99GS

No front, because I need the ball joints

Revive

iTrader: (1)

Oh... Yea any of the aftermarket ones will be fine man. Extremely easy job can be done in 1hr if you know what you're doing. Only 2 bolts and 1 castle nut w/ cotter pin per side. For the price of oem spec arms I would just go with Megan Racing adjustable. Just my opinion though. :P

Lukas99GS

Thanks a lot man, it does seem easy enough. I just don't understand what makes these so expensive in the first place! Would you have to get an alignment after or no?

Revive

iTrader: (1)

Yea I would recommend having alignment checked after.