How to remove front lower control arms?
11-01-20, 10:29 PM
#16
Intermediate
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I am not sure how much different it is in design of the lower rear control arms between LS460 AWD and RWD. When I replaced my 2008 LS460 RWD lower rear control arms, it wasn't that difficult at all. I didn't even need to take off the brake calipers to replace the rear lower control arms. The key is to have the right pulling tool. I used the long pulling tool from this 6-piece ball joint removal tool set: https://www.ebay.com/itm/6Pcs-Ball-J...8AAOSwqqJb2Uwl. I removed the ball joints of the two upper control arms from the steering knuckle first to allow me to slightly tilt the steering knuckle outwards, so that I could have sufficient room to place the long puller under the lower rear arm at the ball joint, Then, I tightened the screw on the puller. It only took a few turns for the rear lower control arm to separate from the ball joint. The whole process took about 10 minutes, including removing the two upper control arm ball joints from the steering knuckle. For me, the most time-consuming part of the work is to align the new rear lower control arm's rubber bushing end with the bolt hole on the body frame. I spent a good 15 minutes to align the new rear lower control arm with the bolt hole on the body frame. BTW, if you take off the brake caliper, Lexus shop manual says that you need to use a set of new bolts to mount the brake caliper back. That is, don't re-use your old caliper mounting bolts. Hope that my experience can be of some help to you all who are replacing your lower rear control arms.
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I am not sure how much different it is in design of the lower rear control arms between LS460 AWD and RWD. When I replaced my 2008 LS460 RWD lower rear control arms, it wasn't that difficult at all. I didn't even need to take off the brake calipers to replace the rear lower control arms. The key is to have the right pulling tool. I used the long pulling tool from this 6-piece ball joint removal tool set: https://www.ebay.com/itm/6Pcs-Ball-J...8AAOSwqqJb2Uwl. I removed the ball joints of the two upper control arms from the steering knuckle first to allow me to slightly tilt the steering knuckle outwards, so that I could have sufficient room to place the long puller under the lower rear arm at the ball joint, Then, I tightened the screw on the puller. It only took a few turns for the rear lower control arm to separate from the ball joint. The whole process took about 10 minutes, including removing the two upper control arm ball joints from the steering knuckle. For me, the most time-consuming part of the work is to align the new rear lower control arm's rubber bushing end with the bolt hole on the body frame. I spent a good 15 minutes to align the new rear lower control arm with the bolt hole on the body frame. BTW, if you take off the brake caliper, Lexus shop manual says that you need to use a set of new bolts to mount the brake caliper back. That is, don't re-use your old caliper mounting bolts. Hope that my experience can be of some help to you all who are replacing your lower rear control arms.
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steedls400 (11-04-20)
11-02-20, 04:11 AM
#17
Pole Position
Thread Starter
It is not simple for me as bolts and toe adjusters fused together, and to the control arms. Even when I cut out the arms and having them on the ground, I couldn't hammer bolts out.Whole control arm mounting gear must be replaced. I suspect the car had original arms, though, I don't how it they survived this long in NY and NH climates. However, the ball joints are wore down significantly.
11-02-20, 05:33 AM
#18
Pole Position
Thread Starter
11-02-20, 06:17 AM
#19
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I am not sure how much different it is in design of the lower rear control arms between LS460 AWD and RWD. When I replaced my 2008 LS460 RWD lower rear control arms, it wasn't that difficult at all. I didn't even need to take off the brake calipers to replace the rear lower control arms. The key is to have the right pulling tool. I used the long pulling tool from this 6-piece ball joint removal tool set: https://www.ebay.com/itm/6Pcs-Ball-J...8AAOSwqqJb2Uwl. I removed the ball joints of the two upper control arms from the steering knuckle first to allow me to slightly tilt the steering knuckle outwards, so that I could have sufficient room to place the long puller under the lower rear arm at the ball joint, Then, I tightened the screw on the puller. It only took a few turns for the rear lower control arm to separate from the ball joint. The whole process took about 10 minutes, including removing the two upper control arm ball joints from the steering knuckle. For me, the most time-consuming part of the work is to align the new rear lower control arm's rubber bushing end with the bolt hole on the body frame. I spent a good 15 minutes to align the new rear lower control arm with the bolt hole on the body frame. BTW, if you take off the brake caliper, Lexus shop manual says that you need to use a set of new bolts to mount the brake caliper back. That is, don't re-use your old caliper mounting bolts. Hope that my experience can be of some help to you all who are replacing your lower rear control arms.
_______
I am not sure how much different it is in design of the lower rear control arms between LS460 AWD and RWD. When I replaced my 2008 LS460 RWD lower rear control arms, it wasn't that difficult at all. I didn't even need to take off the brake calipers to replace the rear lower control arms. The key is to have the right pulling tool. I used the long pulling tool from this 6-piece ball joint removal tool set: https://www.ebay.com/itm/6Pcs-Ball-J...8AAOSwqqJb2Uwl. I removed the ball joints of the two upper control arms from the steering knuckle first to allow me to slightly tilt the steering knuckle outwards, so that I could have sufficient room to place the long puller under the lower rear arm at the ball joint, Then, I tightened the screw on the puller. It only took a few turns for the rear lower control arm to separate from the ball joint. The whole process took about 10 minutes, including removing the two upper control arm ball joints from the steering knuckle. For me, the most time-consuming part of the work is to align the new rear lower control arm's rubber bushing end with the bolt hole on the body frame. I spent a good 15 minutes to align the new rear lower control arm with the bolt hole on the body frame. BTW, if you take off the brake caliper, Lexus shop manual says that you need to use a set of new bolts to mount the brake caliper back. That is, don't re-use your old caliper mounting bolts. Hope that my experience can be of some help to you all who are replacing your lower rear control arms.
_______
This is your car: https://jp-carparts.com/images/parts..._4802_0001.png
This is a ls600: https://jp-carparts.com/images/parts..._4802_0001.png
Two very different animals
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steedls400 (11-04-20)
11-02-20, 06:19 AM
#20
11-02-20, 06:34 AM
#21
Pole Position
Thread Starter
The link below is for the parts department. The phone number is (603) 218-3510, press 2 for Lexus.
https://www.iralexusofmanchester.com/parts/
Yes, the part number looks right but if you give them your VIN they will confirm fitment for you.
https://www.iralexusofmanchester.com/parts/
Yes, the part number looks right but if you give them your VIN they will confirm fitment for you.
11-02-20, 07:07 AM
#22
You live in California, here is your explanation. This is what we deal with: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7rYxh0XWuA
Also if you check the design of both model your control arm it's not the same as ls600 and awd ls460. On our car is very different, more complex and there is more parts. On both arm there is a special bolt to adjust the camber and one of them is a bolt in a bolt. First bolt on the rear arm is easy to remove just like your car but there is another bolt like a tube that is used for camber it goes in that is very hard to remove.
This is your car: https://jp-carparts.com/images/parts..._4802_0001.png
This is a ls600: https://jp-carparts.com/images/parts..._4802_0001.png
Two very different animals
Also if you check the design of both model your control arm it's not the same as ls600 and awd ls460. On our car is very different, more complex and there is more parts. On both arm there is a special bolt to adjust the camber and one of them is a bolt in a bolt. First bolt on the rear arm is easy to remove just like your car but there is another bolt like a tube that is used for camber it goes in that is very hard to remove.
This is your car: https://jp-carparts.com/images/parts..._4802_0001.png
This is a ls600: https://jp-carparts.com/images/parts..._4802_0001.png
Two very different animals
11-02-20, 07:31 AM
#23
Pole Position
Thread Starter
I am going to get all hardware tomorrow, I will take a picture of all involved pieces.
11-02-20, 07:47 AM
#24
The link below is for the parts department. The phone number is (603) 218-3510, press 2 for Lexus.
https://www.iralexusofmanchester.com/parts/
Yes, the part number looks right but if you give them your VIN they will confirm fitment for you.
https://www.iralexusofmanchester.com/parts/
Yes, the part number looks right but if you give them your VIN they will confirm fitment for you.
11-02-20, 07:51 AM
#25
Pole Position
Thread Starter
How far are you from US border? You can call the closest to you US dealer and once parts arrive go and pick it up.
11-02-20, 07:56 AM
#26
11-02-20, 08:00 AM
#27
Pole Position
Thread Starter
Find a seller on Ebay called triplecreations, he ships quickly if parts are in stock. Shipping is not cheap though, ends up about same price as in US for small parts.
11-04-20, 04:13 AM
#28
Pole Position
Thread Starter
11-05-20, 04:31 AM
#30
Pole Position
Thread Starter
Yesterday finished replacing front control arms and inner and outer joints on both sides. I replaced the serpentine belt as well. Right now I am sitting at the local Lexus dealership waiting for alignment.
I have to say after replacing 2 serpentine pulleys, the engine is significantly less noisy on cold start.
I have to say after replacing 2 serpentine pulleys, the engine is significantly less noisy on cold start.
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