GS - 4th Gen (2013-2020) Discussion about the 2013 and up GS models

Worn out LCA bushings

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-07-20, 01:43 PM
  #1  
Bendaii
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
Bendaii's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: CA
Posts: 42
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
Default Worn out LCA bushings

Hello,

Are worn out front lower control arm bushings common at 100k miles? And would it require replacing entire control arm? I’m surprised at the quoted cost but maybe I should budget for more wear items at this point.

I received this inspection report from dealer after they installed new tires.


(Never mind the curb rash). Something I need to address? I haven’t noticed any clunking.

Thanks!
Old 03-07-20, 03:17 PM
  #2  
AJLex19
Lead Lap
 
AJLex19's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: NY
Posts: 3,656
Received 1,166 Likes on 861 Posts
Default

That seems high but the dealerships charge a lot for labor. Suspension components can definitely wear out by the time you hit 100k miles. On my previous GS, ball joints and control arms had to be replaced around 115k miles. This gives you an idea of how much the front lower control arms cost from a parts perspective:

https://www.ssl-parts.com/v-2013-lex...er-control-arm



The curb rash is usually cosmetic and up to you to fix. The lower control arms can probably go for a few thousand miles more but that's really your call as its more safety related than anything else (vibration, clunking, steering pulling to one side - are usual symptoms of bad control arms).
The following 2 users liked this post by AJLex19:
Bendaii (03-07-20), Parrokeete (10-20-21)
Old 03-07-20, 03:22 PM
  #3  
Knucklebus
Instructor
 
Knucklebus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 1,158
Received 402 Likes on 284 Posts
Default

It depends on the lower control arm (LCA) they are talking about. If it is the one most people replace, it is easy and cheap enough. Someone is looking to gouge you, no two ways about it.

Stock-ish ones from Advance Auto are cheap and easy enough to replace. Advance Auto LCA Bushing

The performance version is still WAY cheaper than $2.5K. If it takes a competent mechanic more than an hour to do both, I'd be greatly surprised. RR Racing LCA Bushing
The following 3 users liked this post by Knucklebus:
AJLex19 (03-07-20), Bendaii (03-07-20), Parrokeete (10-20-21)
Old 03-07-20, 06:00 PM
  #4  
eddie420
Moderator
 
eddie420's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: NJ
Posts: 1,970
Received 634 Likes on 453 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Knucklebus
The performance version is still WAY cheaper than $2.5K. If it takes a competent mechanic more than an hour to do both, I'd be greatly surprised. RR Racing LCA Bushing
Agreed, can do it yourself if you have a bit of time and tools. I still have the bushings from RR Racing, brand new sitting in my garage. Never got to install them prior to wrecking my GS. Here is how to install them:
The following users liked this post:
Bendaii (03-07-20)
Old 03-07-20, 10:49 PM
  #5  
Bendaii
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
Bendaii's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: CA
Posts: 42
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Any reason to replace the entire control arm vs only the bushing?
Old 03-08-20, 05:03 AM
  #6  
richard203
Racer
iTrader: (1)
 
richard203's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SF
Posts: 1,489
Likes: 0
Received 121 Likes on 107 Posts
Default

will the rr racing lca bushiing make the ride quality hash?
Old 03-08-20, 06:58 AM
  #7  
Knucklebus
Instructor
 
Knucklebus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 1,158
Received 402 Likes on 284 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Bendaii
Any reason to replace the entire control arm vs only the bushing?
If it is bent or cracked, which wouldn't happen without a major impact. Otherwise, I can't imagine the whole arm is worn to the point of replacement.

Originally Posted by richard203
will the rr racing lca bushiing make the ride quality hash?
While I do not have them in my car, they shouldn't really alter the day-to-day driving but should help improve the steering feel by dialing out some of the flex on LCA. The strut and spring are still doing their jobs.
The following users liked this post:
Bendaii (03-08-20)
Old 03-08-20, 08:55 AM
  #8  
eddie420
Moderator
 
eddie420's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: NJ
Posts: 1,970
Received 634 Likes on 453 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by richard203
will the rr racing lca bushiing make the ride quality hash?
You will have better or more direct steering wheel response. It will remove the 'softness' when turning, especially on corners.

Here is a great comparison between the stock bushing vs the RR Racing bushing (starts at 6m 22s):

Old 03-08-20, 12:50 PM
  #9  
bclexus
Lexus Test Driver
 
bclexus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Texas
Posts: 9,523
Received 2,273 Likes on 1,619 Posts
Default

eddie420 - Does that say under your name?
Old 03-09-20, 09:45 PM
  #10  
Bendaii
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
Bendaii's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: CA
Posts: 42
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Is the Lower Control Arm Bracket the same as the bushing? I’d like to compare OEM cost to the rr-racing one.
Old 03-09-20, 10:09 PM
  #11  
Bendaii
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
Bendaii's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: CA
Posts: 42
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by richard203
will the rr racing lca bushiing make the ride quality hash?
I thought this was an interesting question so I researched trade offs between hard vs soft bushings. A summary of what I’ve found:


https://www.suspension.com/blog/rubb...sion-bushings/

Not sure about the last three considerations (squeaking, grease, install) but the rest I’ve consistently read on a few websites.
Attached Files

Last edited by Bendaii; 03-09-20 at 10:12 PM. Reason: Irrelevant attachment
The following 2 users liked this post by Bendaii:
eddie420 (03-10-20), swat1727 (10-29-21)
Old 03-10-20, 02:50 AM
  #12  
richard203
Racer
iTrader: (1)
 
richard203's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SF
Posts: 1,489
Likes: 0
Received 121 Likes on 107 Posts
Default

i guess i'll go with the oem i dont want to increase my ride more hash
Old 12-11-20, 10:13 AM
  #13  
Bendaii
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
Bendaii's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: CA
Posts: 42
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
Default Bracket includes bushing?

[QUOTE=AJLex19;10753698]That seems high but the dealerships charge a lot for labor. Suspension components can definitely wear out by the time you hit 100k miles. On my previous GS, ball joints and control arms had to be replaced around 115k miles. This gives you an idea of how much the front lower control arms cost from a parts perspective:

https://www.ssl-parts.com/v-2013-lex...er-control-arm




Hi everyone, finally coming back to this item. Does the bracket include bushing? If yes, which degree offset is standard for 2013 F-Sport? I see three options for purchase (0, +20 deg, - 20 deg).
Old 12-11-20, 10:42 AM
  #14  
peasodos
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
 
peasodos's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: USA
Posts: 5,523
Received 2,229 Likes on 1,450 Posts
Default

[QUOTE=Bendaii;10950868]
Originally Posted by AJLex19
That seems high but the dealerships charge a lot for labor. Suspension components can definitely wear out by the time you hit 100k miles. On my previous GS, ball joints and control arms had to be replaced around 115k miles. This gives you an idea of how much the front lower control arms cost from a parts perspective:

https://www.ssl-parts.com/v-2013-lex...er-control-arm




Hi everyone, finally coming back to this item. Does the bracket include bushing? If yes, which degree offset is standard for 2013 F-Sport? I see three options for purchase (0, +20 deg, - 20 deg).
Contact dealer and provide your vin number, can tell you which one you have.
The following users liked this post:
Bendaii (12-11-20)
Old 12-11-20, 05:28 PM
  #15  
primavera
Instructor
 
primavera's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Ontario
Posts: 1,205
Received 314 Likes on 265 Posts
Default

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...ings-deal.html
The following users liked this post:
Bendaii (12-11-20)


Quick Reply: Worn out LCA bushings



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:50 AM.