LILEVO

iTrader: (1)

I hope this is an "end all be all" control arm thread. I read the others and they are kind of all over the place with different bits of information. Typically my contributions here are very thorough and detail oriented. There was some talk in another thread about pictures from Russia using revised lower controls arms on pre-2012 RWD models. I'm happy to report this is true and completely works.

2007-2009 (and 2010-2011) Lexus LS460 RWD CAN upgrade to the revised 2012-2017 control arms. Lexus does NOT advertise this. Maybe they just want you to buy a newer car?

1) The steering knuckle is the same 07-17. This is good news if we are going to start swapping different part numbers control arms. That tells us the geometry is going to be the same.

2) The front lower arm was revised from silver to the black painted version, per the TSB related to knocking noise when braking.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/att...e-bulletin.pdf

3) The original part numbers for this front lower arm are 48620-59015 and 48640-59015. The revised part numbers are for the 2012+ fitment and are 48620-59035 with 59055 replacing that one and 48640-59035 with 59045 replacing that one. Based on the TSB, Lexus confirmed that 07-17 lower front arms interchange, but websites only show the new part numbers as fitting 2012+. Beware! If you have a 2007-2011 there is a great chance that Lexus will sell you the old, original silver arms referred in the TSB.

3) Lastly, while there is nothing official, the same conclusion can be said about the revised lower main arms that only show fitment for 12-17. Original 2007 part numbers are 48620-50070 and 48640-50070. The revised better bushing versions show on websites as "only" fitting 2012+ and are 48640-50131 and 48620-50131. Beware! If you have a 2007-2011 there is a great chance that Lexus will sell you the old, bad arms seen in this video.

These are the part numbers you need to order for any 2007-2017 LS460 RWD, especially 2007-2011 since they all have the original bad control arm design.

Lower main 48640-50131 (2012-2017)
Lower main 48620-50131 (2012-2017)

Lower front 48620-59055 (2012-2017)
Lower front 48640-59045 (2012-2017)

Upper front RH 48610-59125 (2012-2017)
Upper rear RH 48610-59135 (2012-2017)
Upper front LH 48630-59125 (2012-2017)
Upper rear LH 48630-59135 (2012-2017)

My videos don't specifically cover the upper arms, but there are old part numbers of the upper arms as well. I'm unsure if the rubber or design as a whole was changed to improve longevity, but the part numbers above are the "2012-2017" revised P/Ns.

jdanielca

great job, now question, the washer did you scrutinise it ? Does it come off? Is it loose is it tight? What does it rest on that allow its to float ? And if it doesn’t touch the top of the bottom how do you think it works?

thanks

LILEVO

iTrader: (1)

The new washer is part of the entire shaft. It doesn't move, rotate or come loose. So the whole thing is torqued to 107ft/lbs to the subframe like the original, and the rubber bushing itself twists and rotates with suspension travel. I'm not sure how the physics or dynamics work allowing the "washer counterweight" to improve rubber bushing life.

Anfanger

Did you set the proper torque under the vehicle load? If not, you should otherwise your brand arms will not survive for long.

LILEVO

iTrader: (1)

My videos described doing so several times throughout the process on all 8 control arms.

Anfanger

Yes, you did. I think, you should have included that in your video. I mean, the actual procedure. It is just a recommendation.

AWD is harder to do also it requires alignment after front lower control arm change due to presence of adjusters on control arm bolts. For me, it took 2 alignments for a local Lexus dealer to get it right.

I am jealous of your garage especially the lift. I do everything in the driveway on ramps and jack stands.

LILEVO

iTrader: (1)

Ah, gotcha. There are no caster or camber eccentric bolts so everything is fixed on RWD. Does AWD suffer the same control arm failures despite having different control arms?

The torque sequence is relatively simple. Both lower arms are torqued to the subframe at 107ft/lbs with the vehicle at normal ride height.

Anfanger

Yes, same issues. Though, it seemed original arms lasted 155k on my car. I couldn't find any record of the arms being replaced before.

It was expensive even though I got OEM replacement arms from overseas.

LILEVO

iTrader: (1)

AWD definitely appears to have a more robust bushing design.

jdanielca

the awd doesn’t have that tube sticking out, do you think it would fit our cars

sdls

I mean I doubt it because I think the front suspension overall geometry is different to accommodate the front cv axle

Anfanger

AWD needs more robust arms due to heavier front and additional torque due to axles. From what I have seen lower AWD and RWD arms are not interchangeable. Only upper forward arms the same in both drive trains.

toantran99

The parts are around $2500

LILEVO

iTrader: (1)

I was able to get them all new for $1483 through a combination of https://www.discountpartsmonster.com/ and Ebay sellers liquidating OEM arms.

$234 Lower main 48640-50131
$234 Lower main 48620-50131
$100 Lower front 48620-59055
$245 Lower front 48640-59045
$150 Upper front RH 48610-59125
$77 Upper rear RH 48610-59135
$242 Upper front LH 48630-59125
$201 Upper rear LH 48630-59135


Get on ebay and save those part numbers as daily searches. You will get emailed daily on new auctions. Might take a few weeks or months to accumulate them all.

LILEVO

iTrader: (1)

You could also take this a step further based on all the data and say all 07-17 air suspension interchanges as well, and potentially the air suspension computers so there is a chance you could install the 12-17 air struts and the computer that "controls" them. I'm not at that point though to guinea pig it. I have all new struts installed with the 07-10 interchange part numbers.