ShaneC

so when i do buy a new set of ball joints, do i need to buy the one for 2001+ gs or is there only one replacement for 98 to 2005 ? i am planning to make my order with in the week.

raytseng

I'm not sure if the forum really did identify if there was a specific design change after 01+, or if it is just a placebo effect. But I haven't found any threads of people reporting a failure of the 01+ either, so the statistics might tell the story.

ShaneC: at least on lexus-parts, the same part seems to come up if you put in 1998 or 2005 for your car year, so you will get the "updated" part part, (or it might just be in our minds)

ShaneC

we're all going crazy...

GSing430

they are all the same parts #, and from my understanding they are the updated one that were used on the 01+

Zishan

Has anyone with a 2001+ 2nd Gen GS ever had their ball joints fail???

I have a 2001 GS430, and was getting a clunking sound. My NSX Tech found the lower ball joint/drivers side to be bad. So I've been scared ****less to drive the car. Just picked up new ball joints today and will attemp the install shortly.

GSing430

mine is an 02 w/ 103k, no prob yet.

puz pounda

I have a 01, gs300 and my passenger side failed, I knew it was coming, but tried to hold it off for a couple of more weeks. Lucky for me I wasn't goin that fast beacause my wheel fell off and it didn't break my abs wire. But i did **** up my fender. It did last up to 135k miles. To anyone reading this I would HIGHLY recomend that you change you lower ball joints if they have over 80k on them even if they don't show any signs of wear. Whether it's a 98-00 or 01-05 it's a chance I wouldn't take again as the consequences can be catastrophic.

TRD911

Can you supply pics of the broken ball joint?

BP

LATINA2001

True True True!!! just got mine replaced at 135 also . I as told it was really bad >

ShaneC

interesting... so maybe its not only the 98-00 models that have poor balljoints... all gs300/400/430 need to watch out for it.

AJL0365

Dropped my car off at Lexus to check the ball joints because I have been hearing some creeking when turning and backing out the driveway. I have an 02 GS300 with 97k miles on it and they said they are fine and do not need replacing. Should I just go ahead and get them done or just hold off? But holding off, I will never know whats going to happen. This sucks!

LexFather

Well I got my ball joints replaced over the weekend and the car is driving like it should. I mean a HUGE difference in cornering and confidence. I don't mind giving my dealership the business and my main mahn VVTi did the install

$99 for each ball joint
$200 for labor

$400 later, car is driving wonderfully.

I just hit 160k miles, the car was driving sloppy and the front end just felt awful, not secure at all and I JUST added the TRD SWays in January. I have a 2001 GS 430.

Don't wait if you are over it seems 100k, especially if you drive hard.

GS FONZy

iTrader: (6)

Carson Toyota has the best deal for ball joints. They even beat the price of my local dealer with my wholesale discount. I just turned 100k and my ball joints were starting to have play. I think ball joints should be checked everytime your car is up on a lift. So, next time your in for service, tell the tech to check your ball joints, you will feel safer knowing your wheels will not fall off.

TommyBoy2K

Thanks for the info on Carson. Is there a way to buy from them online - I didn't see one when I looked at the site? Would you happen to have a parts # for the ball joints (2000 GS4)? Are there any smaller parts that I need to order along with this as part of this job? The local Toyota dealer seems amenable to allowing me to order the parts - and I'm guessing its going to be a lot cheaper than if they do it. Just want to make sure I don't miss anything.

Is there anything else that makes a lot of sense to get done at the same time? Tie Rods? I'm at 75k miles.

Update:
Think I found the ball joints on their site:
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...layCatalogid=0

Does this look right? $62.42/each

raytseng

Outer Tie-rods replacement are sometimes recommended to help complete the front end refurbishment, it is already just about removed while you change the balljoint, so your mechanic shouldn't charge any extra labor for the tie rods.
Alignment also should be done after ball joints, so you could also do any other suspension work you were thinking about to amortize the alignment cost.