When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Hi all, I have a 99 ls400 with 225k on the clock. Since i purchased last march the front left has gotten considerably worse suspension wise. Can hear most big bumps,with that weird hollow hard to describe sound when susp. parts start to gom, feels loose period and has a wobble at different speeds. My Question is what do i start with first to get this problem fixed? Should i go ahead and get a Dorman UCA, I know the OE are ridiculously expensive and seems dorman is the best aftermarket route. Or should i go to the struts first and replace the bar/mount area? Any suggestions highly appreciated!
Hi all, I have a 99 ls400 with 225k on the clock. Since i purchased last march the front left has gotten considerably worse suspension wise. Can hear most big bumps,with that weird hollow hard to describe sound when susp. parts start to gom, feels loose period and has a wobble at different speeds. My Question is what do i start with first to get this problem fixed? Should i go ahead and get a Dorman UCA, I know the OE are ridiculously expensive and seems dorman is the best aftermarket route. Or should i go to the struts first and replace the bar/mount area? Any suggestions highly appreciated!
on my 99LS, I replaced lower control arms and ball joints, from ebay and strut rod bushings from Lexus, both motor mounts and tranny... all 4 tie rod ends all ebay.... be careful not to get any "poly" ..
align and balance and it ran/drove like new.. my upper ball joints have very little movement... sway bar bushings (lexus) and links ebay..
I have some looseness in the rear, but no problems yet.. I'm at 238k on the clock..but I have had it over 10 years...
My Question is what do i start with first to get this problem fixed?
Answer;
Without a second guess---CHANGE THAT TIE-ROD.
I'm very surprised, and you're very lucky, that hasn't snapped yet, then you'd lose all your steering. I've driven on some really questionable parts, in my youth, but I wouldn't even dream about taking a chance on that one. Even if you're financially strapped and can't fix all the tie-rods, I would at least spend $50 to change just that outer. The Upper Control Arm looks ok but can't really be sure without feeling if there's any play in it or seeing the bushings. The Dorman UCAs I finally put on my 94 LS tightened up the front end pretty good but the hole for the cotter pin doesn't match up with the castle nut. (Others have said the same thing) Also, on one of mine I was able to move the ball joint way too easy right out the box so, I know it's not 100%. I just installed it anyway cuz I had them for a year before installing so I couldn't return it. Plus I didn't have time to wait for another to be delivered, and it feels OK.
Would i do just the outer tie rod or do inner and outter? Seems inner is more complex to replace
I only did outers on mine ( I did lower ball joints same time) because the inners are more complex and they felt fine when I had the outers off. With the amount of mileage you have I would think that the upper ball joints would be bad (definitely check them) if they're original. I've had 2 UBJ snap on me. Both were over 200K. Not fun when they snap, bad design.
Originally Posted by kambam3627
Billy, that LS pic is beautiful, but I think we’ve all seen it about 1000 times 🤣
That's cuz it's so pretty. And very well maintained.
that outer rod does not look factory to me, as I don't ever remember lexus using that type of nut (i suspect nylon self locking nut).
Usually they are a flanged castle nut - that also self locks with a cotter pin (like your upper bj).
yes change the outer rods, and while you are at it change the LBJs which should be done IMHO at 200k (earlier if lowered).
I did the strut rods, inner/outer tie rods, struts and lower control arms on both sides. Upper control arms looked to be done recently. They were all ripped or starting. Struts were were blown.
Which brand and where are yall sourcing you outers? Juat local auto parts store and what they can get? Or does someone have a good amazon/ebay seller link?
04-20-20, 07:09 AM
Which part to do first on front end?
