So I took my SC4 in for an alignment today and the shop called back a half hour later and said the ball joints are too worn. There is too much up and down play in them. The mechanic said it looked like would need to replace the entire control arm because of this.

Thoughts? Insight?

Also I'd need the right rear nuckle (passenger side, rear wheel), due to an incident awhile back...

Anyone know a good place to get these parts? Is there any use in used parts? Seems to me that the ball joint/control arm would be something you'd want to buy new, no?

Thanks for the help in advance... I'm anxious to get my SC on the dry summer roads. We don't have them for long here in Michigan.

 

i can get you the parts used if you want to go that route.

 

I bought the supra LCA's (which fit the SC fine, supposadley a lil harsher ride) and installed them myself which is probably the way to go I'd say. You get new bushings at the same time.

Otherwise, you can buy a used LCA and replace it but there's still wear and tear on it. If you install yourself I guess it'd be ok, but if you're paying a shop you'll eventually have to replace that one too later down the road which will cost a pretty penny to do the same job twice, especially if the bushings go out which is usually pretty common.

 

Looks like I'll be going with Supra LCAs due to toasted ball joints... I suppose that's to be expected on a SC w/173,5XX miles on it.

Any thoughts on the nuckle I spoke of? I'm not even sure of what he's refering to. Also, I guess the rear lower control arm (passenger side rear wheel) got bent after I installed a new one... any thoughts on how to straighten it?

I'm taking it in to a body shop to see about straightening the rear lower control arm mount (where it mounts to the frame)... according to the alignment guy, that's bent too...

Thanks,