rwdanthony

iTrader: (53)

are the ball joint bushings rebuildable?

issue: ball joint moves freely but isnt tight, it feels loose [some play]

i know the rubber covers/dust boots that hold the grease are replaceable with energy suspension dust boots?

but i would like to know if replacing the grease would help any, and if theres anything else that we can do about it.

Blkexcoupe

iTrader: (8)

The ball joints themselves aren't rebuild-able or replaceable on our cars, so buying a complete control arm is the only option for replacement.

Adding more grease might help, but in reality if you know there is some play in the joints you should consider saving up or expect to have to buy new arms in the future. If it is the front LCA/balljoints, then you can use the supra LCA as replacements. If you need the front UCA/balljoint or rear then you will have to take a trip to Lexus.

rwdanthony

iTrader: (53)

upper control arms are fine, im getting myself an extra set of LCA w/ daizen polyurethane bushings already, but the ball joints has the condition i stated above.

i already knew the ball joints weren't replaceable, but only the entire control arm itself, that has the ball joints built in.

i may just end up opening, cleaning, greasing, and get new dust boots from energy and see what happens.

DA51

Ball joints have a test to see if they are good or bad. The Shop manual says to wiggle the joint back and forth, then, turn the stem 4 times, the 5th time use a torque wrench and measure the resistance. It should be 9-30 in. lb.
I'm replacing all the 18 year old parts with 155,000 miles.
the LCA ball joints and back bushings were shot, but the UCA ball joints were good and the Tie Rods ends were good, too.
I used a Pickle Fork to remove the joints which ruined the boots.
Anyway, the new parts should last my lifetime.

jdm93400

wow that is shot so wat did u end up doing gettin new ones or wat

1JZPWRD

iTrader: (59)

IM still wondering why these are made where you have to replace the whole control arm. I know the LS400 you can just replace the outer ball joint. WTF?

rwdanthony

iTrader: (53)

i got a different set of used LCA all together, and put in my delrin bushings into them.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sus...verhaul-3.html

the LS has a different suspension design, simple as that.