Aspect

Hello CL,

can anyone confirm if there are any differences between an upper control arm on a IS250 RWD and AWD? My ball joint went bad and I need to replace it but so far no aftermarket sites I've looked at carry one that specifies for AWD applications, and my local Lexus dealer is asking $394 CAD versus $50 USD I could get off RockAuto. Upon looking at stock pictures of both arms online they look nearly identical.

Thanks

DaveGS4

iTrader: (2)

Not an answer to your question, but discount at RockAuto for our members

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/clu...ml#post9863348

rwhtide

hey aspect,
you ever find a solution to this? had forgotten about it, but I had to almost strip my upper driverside ball joint when doing spring install. castle nut thing wouldn't budge. think that may be contributing to my car's twitchiness. Ive also read that some ppl say you need to buy the entire upper control arm when replacing ball joint, but others say nah, just need the joint itself... dunno whats what. ive seen both the individual joints and the entire horseshoe-shaped arm assembly with the ball joint included. also, if I'm doing one side, should I go ahead and do both sides, kinda like when doing brakes?

MikeFig82

iTrader: (13)

For the AWD there is a separate ball joint. You don't need to replace the whole arm. You can find them on Rockauto.com.

Aspect

Mine was one whole unit. Ball joint and arm together. As far as my research has gone and my experience replacing both upper control arms go you have to buy the whole arm with the ball joint. If you can prove me wrong otherwise I'd be glad to hear it out, would've saved me a lot of money

rwhtide

somethin lika dis?

https://www.partsgeek.com/gbproducts...-05458643.html


oh but it says rwd..

rwhtide

considering the mild drop, feel like I should go for the spc modifiable ones. although I dunno wth I'm talking about at that point. my knowledge and car know-how only go so far. I can remove and install, but "adjusting" is not my forte

MikeFig82

iTrader: (13)

Did you happen to buy the complete RWD arm? If so how's the fitment? I'm considering getting the Megan Racing ones if they work on the AWD.

MikeFig82

iTrader: (13)

How's the arm holding up from the RWD?

Aspect

I ended up going with OEM AWD UCAs. Didn't want to risk the hassle of getting the wrong part or it not fitting correctly. Sorry I can't confirm the compatibility

MikeFig82

iTrader: (13)

Thanks. I may just get the separate upper ball joint offered by Moog. It's going to be a PIA to remove with the stock spring assembly in the way.

rwhtide

looked at mine. awd upper arms are (obviously) horseshoe or U-shaped. awd's however are symmetrical with the joint placed in the middle. rwd looks like they are slightly offset from the exact middle

rwhtide

was talking to one of my best good buddies (ex-indy lex shop mechanic), said the main reason you would want to buy the entire arm just to replace theball joint is because of the pressing aspect of installing the joint into the arm. so if you have the means to a press of some sort, it may be slightly more time consuming, but also much cheaper. especially in my case, where I'm gunna go ahead and replace both. firm believer in doing both sides the same always

MikeFig82

iTrader: (13)

Yes sir you are correct. The thing is they don't have an after market AWD replacement. Is there another way to put the bushing in without a press? I have access to one but I prefer to do the work at home. It looks possible to do the stamped steel looks thin enough. I'll have to look on YouTube or google some pics.

rwhtide

zero experience with that. ive heard rumors that, in a pinch (haha), its possible to use a size-appropriate, run-of-the-mill C-clamp... I can imagine though that they make a tool for specifically that? maybe..