CA2WALS430

Hey @bradland and @koreywill , good to see familiar names chiming in here. Thanks!

Correct, no rush here. My suspension is making one clicking sound in very low speed turns but I feel confident this part list will remedy that. This is more about the thread title, a little more robust and taut. I plant to keep it for a long time.
Wow, I love Bell, but have to agree with Koreywill's comment 3 years ago above that when the bill is this big, you can't ignore savings like that. If it was under $100, I would say eh, but $557! Thank you so much for doing that comparison, saved me time tonight. Also, I will not be doing the labor so a little more savings is a good idea.
Koreywill, do you agree with Bradland about tie rods and ends? My service advisor said he rarely sees those things breaking or needing replacement. Just surveying here, not challenging.

bradland

I wouldn’t be as worried about the inner tie rods but the outer are under constant abuse. The ball joint of an outer rod becomes loose and kinda sloppy. I’m sure you’ll have the car aligned after everything is installed. Trying to achieve a specific toe setting with a sloppy tie rod end doesn’t make a lot of sense.
Not to mention, they’re only about $50 ea from Amayama. Large bulky items like the 2 LCA’s will certainly affect International shipping rates. Might be worthwhile to have them shipped free from Bell. Check both ways to be sure before ordering.

CA2WALS430

Thanks, @bradland ! I am convinced, especially since you are not on commission, ha! Yes, alignment is mandatory after all this.
That's a great idea about the heavy items. I will compare. I have had a couple of great customer service experiences with Amayama in the past.
Right now the car drives really nice, but I just know from my last LS430 that the front suspension could be tighter and more robust. I think the original owner did a lot of in-town miles through inner city parts of LA, so that would account. I have had all 4 struts done already, the fronts 2-1/2 years ago. I bought the car with 78k and almost no rock chips in the front and no new paint, so that indicates a lot of in-town I think also. Now she has 147k and gorgeous and the headlights sparkle.

koreywill

His logic is pretty sound but.... I had quite a few miles on my 2003, 340,000 or so miles. I knew they'd never been changed to that point so I figured, what the heck. Replace 'em and have peace of mind.

CA2WALS430

I mean, no extra labor at that point, so yeah, why not?

aypues

FYI regarding the duties…just got a $45 duty bill from FedEx from my recent rear air strut pair I bought from Impex Japan. Still saved about $3500 over retail but wasn’t expecting that.

CA2WALS430

@bradland , shopping for tie rods is confusing. I searched for just "tie", and all I get is "Ends" and "Radiator Support Tie Bar". The only option for the bar are Upper and Front/Rear.
No mention of Inner or Outer. Are they called something else?
Also, I read the thread about bushings and arms. Thank you. So I have the bushings and arms I need, correct?

tammap

The inner tie rods is Steering Rack End Sub-Assembly
https://autoparts.puentehillstoyota....rin-4550309240

tammap

This is your inner tie rod

https://parts.belllexusnorthscottsda...550359065.html

CA2WALS430

Thanks, @tammap ! So @bradland , you are referring to the following part codes: 4546059045 and 4547059045 ?

koreywill

4550359065 at amayama $53.55 ea. Makes it pretty affordable.

CA2WALS430

OH, duh, the exact link tammap sent. Too many numbers. So are the part codes I mention the outers?

My cart is loaded up. I forgot Amayama won't let you pay until they do the double-check on the order, probably not a bad idea.

Thanks again, All!

bradland

Sorry. I've been MIA for a few days.
The inner tie rod is interchangeable the same part will fit both sides.
The outers are side specific so make sure you get the correct part numbers.
Right- 45460 59045
Left- 45470 59045

I'm not sure what you're referring to re bushings and arms.

CA2WALS430

Thanks, @bradland ! Earlier in the thread you told me all I had were the bushings and not arms:

"The LCA you've listed is just the bushing and will have to be pressed into the bracket. IS and GS-F bushings are sold with the bracket and are a bit cheaper- https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...the-ls430.html"

But I think the list I have now is comprehensive and I will let the dealer rob me if they see something I missed in order to just install what I have ordered. I heard a little more noise today so it could be a photo finish!

bradland

It looks like you're only buying the bushing. The old bushing will have to be pressed out of the bracket and the new pressed in.