GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005) Discussion about the second generation GS300, GS400 and GS430 (1998 - 2005)

ball joint

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-20-04, 04:45 PM
  #1  
lexforlife
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
iTrader: (7)
 
lexforlife's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: So Florida baby
Posts: 6,864
Received 18 Likes on 16 Posts
Question ball joint

has anyone had to change their lower control ball joints at around 60k miles exculding those involved in accident or those who drive daily in new york city areas (i am former new yorker , i know how rough the craters can be)


need to know if its even worth it to change mine seeing i have only 62k miles on my car and i am 2 owner and was always a lady driven south florida car.. i popped one of my outer tie rods 2weeks ago from badly warped and stress cracked front powerslot cheap casted rotrs.. the steering shook violently when coming to a stop it busted one of the boots on the tie rod so i figured if i am changing that why do ball joint the same time since i am in there .. although i am doing it myself , i really dont feel like going through the motions to remove caliper and rotor


do you guys really think its worth it to change .. i do have a concern though that if i do the tie rod ends and lower ball joints the lower control arm bushing will now be weakst point and i wanted to do it while doing the daizen lower control arm bushing (hopefully before iraq becomes violence free these will be done) so everthing would have been complete
Old 10-20-04, 07:16 PM
  #2  
LMSguy
Pole Position
 
LMSguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Nevada
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I just had to change mine.But Ive got more miles than you do .
Old 10-20-04, 09:19 PM
  #3  
rominl
exclusive matchup

iTrader: (4)
 
rominl's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Lovely OC
Posts: 81,671
Received 190 Likes on 148 Posts
Default

i have 61k miles and i can feel that my joints are getting weak. hopefully it will be time for some good sutff soon
Old 10-21-04, 12:23 AM
  #4  
LMSguy
Pole Position
 
LMSguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Nevada
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Mine was creaking when I turned the wheel. But other then that I couldnt FEEL it needed replacing.
Old 10-21-04, 01:36 AM
  #5  
RRocket
Lexus Test Driver
 
RRocket's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,212
Likes: 0
Received 84 Likes on 65 Posts
Default

Chris,

How much and how hard was it to do?
Old 10-21-04, 01:51 AM
  #6  
Pearlpower
Lexus Fanatic

iTrader: (2)
 
Pearlpower's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: California
Posts: 7,075
Likes: 0
Received 18 Likes on 15 Posts
Default

Replaced both of mine at 100k+ to the updated balljoints. Very easy to replace.
Lee
Old 10-21-04, 04:07 AM
  #7  
NT2SHBBY
Lexus Test Driver
 
NT2SHBBY's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: New York
Posts: 1,387
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

well I know you don't want to hear me yap, but I replaced mine at 39k (when I bought her)

my car came from brooklyn, nuff said
Old 10-21-04, 04:50 AM
  #8  
yoshi
Pole Position
 
yoshi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: International
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I replaced my first bottom ball joint (front) @ 25,000 miles. Scottish roads are ****.

It is essential you have the suspension setup correctly, camber, toe-in etc. You can get the data from my web site at http://www.lexusvertex.com/aristov300_tyres.htm

I have the full Lexus service manual for the US GS model so let me know if you need any further data.
Old 10-21-04, 05:33 AM
  #9  
lexforlife
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
iTrader: (7)
 
lexforlife's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: So Florida baby
Posts: 6,864
Received 18 Likes on 16 Posts
Default

Originally posted by yoshi
I replaced my first bottom ball joint (front) @ 25,000 miles. Scottish roads are ****.

It is essential you have the suspension setup correctly, camber, toe-in etc. You can get the data from my web site at http://www.lexusvertex.com/aristov300_tyres.htm

I have the full Lexus service manual for the US GS model so let me know if you need any further data.
thanks for the info

could you scan into this thread or post another link the books way and type of tool they use to remove lower ball joint and what the correct torque numbers are for the 3 bolts

thanks
Old 10-21-04, 08:33 AM
  #10  
LMSguy
Pole Position
 
LMSguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Nevada
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

It was about 100 bucks from the dealership and I had a friend do it cause I was too busy.He said its pretty easy.If I was a normal customer he would have charged 1 hour labor.
Old 10-21-04, 12:54 PM
  #11  
RRocket
Lexus Test Driver
 
RRocket's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,212
Likes: 0
Received 84 Likes on 65 Posts
Default

Chris,

Have you done any other "things" to your GS yet??
Old 10-21-04, 04:13 PM
  #12  
LMSguy
Pole Position
 
LMSguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Nevada
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Nothing that I have put ON the car yet Ron.Dont worry, youll be the first to know.

I DO have a company from Japan that is bringing me some parts to put on before SEMA.They are going to be here for SEMA and decided to use my car as a model, so they are staying a few extra days and we will be doing a couple different photo shoots.I'm kinda stoked about it.
Old 10-22-04, 04:54 AM
  #13  
DrewGS4
Lexus Test Driver
 
DrewGS4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 1,074
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

I too am looking to replacing my ball joints in the near future. I would love to do the lower control arm as well but what is the deal with daizen?. Its been well over a year and the company says they are coming out with the LCA but no product yet
Old 10-22-04, 09:06 AM
  #14  
TurboSC
Lexus Test Driver
 
TurboSC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 884
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Changed my driver side front balljoint, now waiting for the passenger side to come from Steve. It was only like $70 or something. They are easy to replace! If you do it yourself, you might have to go get the proper pullers from Auto Zone or something, you can rent them.
Old 10-22-04, 10:00 AM
  #15  
rominl
exclusive matchup

iTrader: (4)
 
rominl's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Lovely OC
Posts: 81,671
Received 190 Likes on 148 Posts
Default

i am waiting so bad for the RIGHT time to come


Quick Reply: ball joint



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:21 AM.