just replaced front lower ball joints
03-20-05, 06:57 PM
#16
Originally Posted by SoCalSC4
I have to wonder if bad ball joints contribute to tire wear- I am sure they do. With my car as low as it currently is, it eats the inside of the front tires pretty rapidly, even with the factory camber cams set as positive as we can make them (it's still about -1.8 degrees!). The ball joints likely cause the slight feathering I am seeing on the insides of the front tires...
You have talked me into replacing mine... it's about time for an alignment anyway!
You have talked me into replacing mine... it's about time for an alignment anyway!
03-20-05, 07:30 PM
#19
I'll have to "third" this, I'm surprised that this thread happened to come up just now.
I just had my lower ball joints replaced a few weeks ago, took my car into the dealer and they found excessive play while doing the 90K service. Replaced 'em under warranty at 98000 miles. I completely agree that the car feels completely different, feels like it did when it was new, completely planted, steering is tighter.
I didn't realize it was so bad until I drove out of the dealer amazed after they were replaced. This is apparently one of the best maintenance items you can do. Wouldn't be surprised if the ball joints only last 50K or so, so I'm probably going to replace them every 50K.
I just had my lower ball joints replaced a few weeks ago, took my car into the dealer and they found excessive play while doing the 90K service. Replaced 'em under warranty at 98000 miles. I completely agree that the car feels completely different, feels like it did when it was new, completely planted, steering is tighter.
I didn't realize it was so bad until I drove out of the dealer amazed after they were replaced. This is apparently one of the best maintenance items you can do. Wouldn't be surprised if the ball joints only last 50K or so, so I'm probably going to replace them every 50K.
03-20-05, 11:37 PM
#22
This is very interesting indeed. When I recently had my 65k miles service, I noticed my alignment was off compares to couple days before when I brought my car in. Longo was doing some road testing to fix couple rattles. Anyways, since I was thinking about an alignment so I did not say anything to the service department (yeah, I make sure the wheels are okay because i was afraid if something cause my alignment to be off, then there might be some wheel damages. But I am safe... phew~~). Anyways, I then got the alignment done at Discount Tire Center at El Monte..... drove the car out but it was still off (waste about $90). Three weeks later I had Nomura in Gardena to do the alignment, he told me that the low ball joint was loose so it doesn't matter how many time you do the alignment, it will still be off. He tighten it up and do the alignment again.... the result..... perfect. Sorry for the long story, but now I wonder if I need to replace it or not.......
03-21-05, 12:18 PM
#25
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Got my front ball joints replace by the dealer when I took the car in for wheel alignment. The car did have some wandering before and this did fix the problem.
Interesting you mention the click sound when getting into the car. I still get this occasional 'click' when I get in the car. Can't figure out what it is???
Is this common?
Interesting you mention the click sound when getting into the car. I still get this occasional 'click' when I get in the car. Can't figure out what it is???
Is this common?
03-21-05, 12:34 PM
#26
EV ftw!!!
Excellent info Ed! I have about 45K miles on mine - maybe I should get this done later this year.
03-21-05, 01:29 PM
#27
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by bmgs400
Got my front ball joints replace by the dealer when I took the car in for wheel alignment. The car did have some wandering before and this did fix the problem.
Interesting you mention the click sound when getting into the car. I still get this occasional 'click' when I get in the car. Can't figure out what it is??? Is this common?
Interesting you mention the click sound when getting into the car. I still get this occasional 'click' when I get in the car. Can't figure out what it is???
Is this common?
03-21-05, 01:49 PM
#28
ed,
i think the majority of members need to do this soon. it would be great if you had step by step instructions with pics so the do it yourself person can follow.
carson toyota is selling these for about 71.00 per side.
i know both side will need replacing real soon.
i think the majority of members need to do this soon. it would be great if you had step by step instructions with pics so the do it yourself person can follow.
carson toyota is selling these for about 71.00 per side.
i know both side will need replacing real soon.