[QUOTE=T.L.W.]
A 2001 suburban. I wanted to get a lexus is because I was paying to much for gas. So, now my car is just sitting at home and i'm now using the burban again. I feel safer driving my suv eventhough i'm spending more money on the gas.

 

I'm curious, is this a common thing on GS? cause it sound to be rather scary to have something so important to break.

 

call me stupid but where is the lower ball joint... i see a lot of joint

 

I had the same problem as everybody else...driving down the road and the ball joint seperated from the the lower control arm......screwed up my fender and so on....had to replace the part on site just to move the car...not fun..but solved the solution...still...how do you get those lights to come off...vsc,abs and so on....someone in the beginning of this thread said that it would cost $855 in parts...is this true??????? or is there a simplier suggestion......thanks..Paul...98 gs400...with 20's....also...what does it require to bleed brakes on these cars...the maual I borrowed from the dealership says you need a computer????????

 

Wow, how lucky you are! So you're finally back in business. Could you please tell me the contact numbers where you bought the ball joints at? I need them fo my SC, too. Thanks.

 

anyone know what the $855 parts covers...I think I only need the speed sensor on the side I broke or do I need both......

 

i have a 98 also and the same thing happened to me or actually my boyfriend while he was driving it...does this year have some kind of recall for this??? my lights are on too...and my fender got pushed up. ....

 

I don't think it's a recall or anything. In my case, I need the ball joints because I tore its dust boot while trying to remove it so I need to replace it. Otherwise, it should stay there for a long time. In your case, you may jack up your car to check if the ball joint jam nut is still attached. Also, check for its clip that's inserted through the nut and bend it to prevent the nut gets loose.

 

check here:

http://www.discounttoyotaparts.com

 

how do you check to see if the lower ball joint needs to be replaced?
we need detail instuctions please. what to look/feel for..

how much is the part?

thanks

 

i got it fixed already but my lights under the gauges are on now!!! Any advice as to how I can shut those off??? BTW my horn all of sudden stopped working too...= \ >thanks

 

You may jack up the car first and take off the wheels. If you check on the driver side, turn the steering wheel all to the passenger side. The ball joint has a rubber dust boot around it. Hold the control arm(which looks like a V shape and positioned horizontally) firmly and shake it. If it rattles at the "ball joint", then it's time to replace it. Also, check for the ball joint nut that holds the control arm and the knuckle, and the clip inside the nut are still there (the clip must be bent to hold the nut in case it gets loose). Check for pic at www.lextreme.com/PDF/suspfrontaxial.pdf to identify your parts. If possible, take out the clip and retorque the nut to around 45 lbs (I don't have a specific number but it may be more), then put the clip back through the nut and bend it. Then do the same for the lower ball joint. You may repeat the same process on the passenger side. Gook luck!

 

man..this thread got me worried.

 

whew...glad i was able to replace my passenger side lower ball joint before it separated!!!....it didnt take long but my symptoms were throwing me off...groaning noises, shimmy, and clicks...i thought i may need an alignment or bushings...it occured to me reading through the forums that the ball joint itself may be bad. I checked it and it didnt seem bad until i started taking off the brake caliper and saw the upper arm move up an inch before the lower arm started to move!!! the whole operation took around 30-40 minutes for one side with standard hand tools, no power tools. it helps to have a half-inch drive 18 inch breaker bar thanks for all the info from the forum members...lataz oh yeah parts cost...9.99 for puller, 104.00 and some change for the ball joint from lexus dealer. 1999 GS300

 

If the lights came on after the ball joints were replaced, then they might have damaged the wheel speed sensor. On the horn, it might be a blown fuse.
Will
P.S.
Why are your posts in magenta? LOL