Kennyr44

I bought those 4 upper arms from Amazon for $150. They look good and are waiting on my workbench for me. I have no symptoms yet at 90k but for $150 why not. I will report back about my self install experience. No rush they look so pretty on my work bench.

Ive been a mechanic my whole adult life and I'm not afraid of aftermarket parts. Manufacturers don't make their own parts. They just mark them up, sell them to their dealers and the dealers mark them up way over their suggested list price. Then people pay it because they don't know any better or enjoy getting screwed.

Doublebase

I agree with what you say to an extent, but not with the control arms. The aftermarket arms I used have held up extremely well and there was no difference in handling or feel. Now if we were talking about aftermarket struts, yeah the spring rates and or dampening effect could make a difference, but we are talking about aftermarket control arms that are structurally the same, with a bushing. There are millions of people driving around with aftermarket control arms on various vehicles. Lexus OEM control arms have proven one thing, that they fail.

Are people not supposed to buy aftermarket brake pads and rotors? Are we not supposed to buy Mobil 1 because it's not Toyota Genuine Synthetic? What about brake fluid? Wiper blades?

RayLS

When I had my control arms replaced thru CPO warranty, my SA said no safety issues with worn out control arms.
Maybe front suspension noise and tread wear / alignment issues.
Should be okay to wait and shop around for a better deal. Or buy aftermarket parts and DIY or reputable shop.
Some aftermarket parts are better than OEM. I don't have problems aftermarket parts as long as the installer/mechanic is competent.

litesoarer

I think I'll let it ride out till the Spring then since the car is primarily a highway car.

I guess I'll run it down to firestone and get lifetime alignment special and keep an eye on it.

Lynzoid

I pity those people. Lexus bushings aren't bushings. Do some research... Where aftermarket bushings are just those - pieces of cheap chinese rubber.

SW17LS

Pray tell, what is magical about "Lexus bushings"?

Lets not forget that these "Lexus bushings" are the ones that prematurely fail...

Doublebase

That moment when...a guy tells you to do research on Lexus bushings....when Lexus bushings are the worst part of the car.

litesoarer

Next worse part is the speed governor.

roadfrog

Or how 'bout "quality Lexus rotors".that warp as soon as you breathe on them.

'll take the cheap Chinese ones please.

2v1g

I ask my local lexus service manager if they do just replace bushing for the control arms. He said they don't do it because Lexus/toyota doesn't sell separate bushing by itself. Whole control arm will be replaced if the bushing is out.

Kennyr44

Today I installed the upper control arms on my drivers side. I had to remove the strut so it took about an hour total car in and out the door, remember I'm using a lift. I didn't do the passenger side since after looking at the lower bushings up close I decided to stop there until I get new control arms to install. I ordered the lowers at RockAuto along with 2 link rods. This order came to $360 shipped. I previously paid $150 for the uppers on Amazon. I can probably do this job in 3 hours easily after practice. This is pretty straight forward wrenching for any mechanic. If I was getting paid 8 hours to do this I would be selling this repair as often as possible. Coupled with pads and rotors this is 12 hours of pay by noon including a roach coach break in between.

Doublebase

And I think you're being very realistic when you say that with practice you could do the job in three hours, that's what I figured it out to be too. And I'm sure that there's some Lexus techs that have found shortcuts to get it done even quicker. This is a pretty basic repair for an experienced tech, no big deal...certainly nowhere as big as it's been made out to be.

2v1g

Why need 3 hours? What is the time consuming part of replacing the control arm?

roadfrog

I just got back from the local tire/wheel shop to get a wheel alignment. Shortly after dropping the car off, I got a call from them saying, "no go on the wheel alignment, you're lower front control arm bushings are shot". They also stated that I needed ball joints.

So, it looks like it's finally caught up to me. They quoted me 1150 dollars - 440 labour, 114 for wheel alignment and the rest for parts which must be just the bushings.

Since I'll be DIY'ing this, I need to decide which parts to go with and with who. I'll be hitting some of you guys up for advice here.

2v1g

you don't feel it when lower control arm bushing and ball joint are shot?