Agreed that its too bad that this is happening to so many of us 2nd gen owners. Mine went bad at around 98,000 miles but fortunately I was in a parking lot going 3 miles per hour backing out when my ball joint broke, so the only damage was to the inside of my rim (slight scraping, no big deal), the Broken Speed Sensor Cable, and of course the Ball Joint part and install, then towing.

Total came to about $370 ($100 towing with AAA, $75 for ball joint ($35 labor to install), $172 for speed cable (installed it myself). At least I now got AAA coverage for the remainder of the year.

This should be a sticky as it is definitely a safety hazzard, and also since many 2nd Gen owners are approaching the 80,000 mile point of failure.

b

 

so i guess there is no warning before ball joint failure, im going to fix mine tonight for sure now. i was putting it off because i thought that there would be some kind warning.

 

I just got my car back and I just had the garage replace both ball joints this was 310.00. I still have to get a new abs sensor and get my fender taken care of. I talked to my insurance agent and he ensured me the insurance company WOULD NOT cover any damages to my car because the body damage was cause by a mechanical failure, sounds like b.s. to me. I wonder if anybody who damaged their fender actually filed an insurance claim?

 

just purchased my ball joints from sewell lexus. i want to have them on hand just in case i find out mine are cracked.

hope everyone has seen this potential problem with high mileage 2nd gen GSs.

 

this is from the park place website:



ball joints: are we talking about #7 in the diagram?

park place has it listed at $63.18 per side.

someone else also mentioned tie rods elsewhere in this thread... is that part of the steering?

 

is it recommended to replace the outer tie rods if you are going to replace the ball joints?......

will there be any adverse effects if one is done and not the other? just curious

 

after reading this thread i took advantage of the special offer sewell was giving on these 108shipped not bad for 2 lower ball joints. Id rather spend that then spend posibly 10-20 times that in repairs when a ball joint breaks.

 

good call #1gs300. i had mine swapped a few months ago and i'm glad i did with 105k miles... i was worried!

 

Tie Rod End right outer $28.79
Tie Rod End left outer $36.79

 

I'm new here....I having a problem with noise coming from my front passenger suspension. Every time I turn the steering wheel, there be like a popping noise. Now, it getting worst...driving (a little noise), turning hella loud noise, even at a stand still (turn steering wheel) there be nosie...Do I have a bad ball joint?....I have read all the thread...just want to some to comfirm first ....Thanks

 

Everybodys all worried about this. I solved the issue by having my mechanic do my oil changes. While he is at it, he checks everything in the suspension to make sure. Can't get that at the JiffyLube.

 

If the car is in park with your foot off the brake and it still makes noises, then I'd bet a paycheck that it is bad ball joint(s). For the price, I'd do them anyway for the peace of mind.

Good liuck!

 

what tool is needed to take out the lower ball joint (fork)? everything is off...

 

two bolts and two screws is off...just have hard time take it out....any suggection?

 

a ball joint puller set will help. the fork tends to tear things up.