Lexus LS400 Ball Joint Check

[Lex400]

Hi guys,

I'm new to this site, finally signed up but have been around toyota's for a long time and previously owned 5 celicas including a TA22, 2 RA23s and RA40 coupe and a '78 liftback.

I currently own a 1991 Lexus LS400 and needs a bit work, mainly bushes and a wheel bearing.

My question is how can I tell if my front upper ball joint is no good. I have a bad clunking noise over all bumps and I know that my front upper control arm inner bushes are definately gone as I can grab the arm and actually move it and hear the noise from around there. Before I go buying bushes then later find out that the ball-joint was gone too and need to get a whole control arm, I was hoping to find out if i need to replace ball-joint (these ball-joints only can be bought with the whole arm which comes with bushes).

I have tried jacking up the car and levering the wheel up few times to see if there is any play and after a while I think there was a fraction of a millimeter movement but not sure if a little play is acceptable. Is there any other way to check a ball joint for sure?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[progkamol]

In my opinion the clunking noise is probably from your worn out bushes. If you already doing the job why not change ball joint / upper control arm, try Pedders to push out and replace ball joint only.

[Lex400]

Turns out with this car you have to replace the whole arm as the ball joint is not replaceable alone.. and toyota and lexus dealers are quoting around $1500 just for the part. Found some other arms from online shops overseas but by the time i get it delivered and conversion rates i think it'll still cost near 1000. I don't want to be spending that much on just one control arm and I still have all the other worn out bushes to replace too.

Just want to be 100% about the balljoint if its worn or not before i order the bushes alone or go shopping for the whole arm... or if there is any other alternatives or aftermarket control arms anyone knows about.

cheers

[brett_celicacoupe]

replacement bushes for the upper control arms are available for $100 for the set, both sides. available from fulcrum

they are poly-whateveritis.

im yet to install them and see what the they feel like.


and..... i bought lower control arm steering arm/ball joint assemblies the other day. under $400inc gst from toyota. i havent installed these yet either.

[Lex400]

I was going to get the Vlamos bushes to keep with the comfort ride but may go other brands if there's good feedback.

Unfortanately i may need the upper control arm/balljoint which is a whole lot more expensive than the lower control arms but i just came across a site that sells both arms for $199US. Now just to find out how much delivered and see if anyone has used them before and to see if the parts quality are as good and no probs etc.. fingers crossed!

here's the link:

http://www.arnottindustries.com/part...id7_pid46.html

Anyone use these guys before?

I think I'll just take out the control arm and take it to someone to get the ball-joint checked first.

[brett_celicacoupe]

awesome find. looks like they have rubber bushes too!

i might send them an email today

[CrUZida]

You can get the tie-rod ends (balljoints) rebuilt for about $90 each.

[brett_celicacoupe]

upper control arm, pair

$199 US

New upper control arms for your Lexus LS 400. Kit includes both left and right front control arms. These are complete control arms ready to bolt on with no modifications. These are identical to the original control arms. Now you can replace your upper control arms without spending over $300 each!

Warranty Information: LIFETIME WARRANTY. (We at Arnott, Inc. are so certain that you will be 100% satisfied with this new product that we offer you a 90-day money back guarantee.)

Price: $199.00

so i enquired about freight

Hello. usps mail on the upper control arm kit is $43 and takes about 2 weeks.

Did you just need a quote on teh upper control arm kit? thank you, Lisa

so about $250USD all up.... = ~$340 AUS

not too bad considering its a complete bolt in affair

they also have the remanufactured airbag struts which is interesting!

[CrUZida]

I've heard their struts are a fair bit stiffer than the factory ones.

UCF20 ones are supposed to bolt in (with little mods) and ride much better.

[brett_celicacoupe]

interesting also.

UCF20 bits might be hard to come by though

[CrUZida]

They are easy to find (yahoo japan auctions) just not cheap.

[Z2TT]

Lextreme Sells Rebuilt Control Arms :

http://www.lextreme.com/Lexus-Control-Arms.html

From what I see They use Genuine Toyota/Lexus Bushings.
But I think you have to send your Original control arms back.

This will end up costing much more as you have to spend money Posting
Your Control arms back, Arnott Industries seems the way to go.

["Z" UTE]

Just a point to note here LEXTREME are only supplying an arm with new bushes NOT balljoint.

If you send them exchange arms with stuffed ball joint, you get no refund on the core.

cheers Chuck.

[Z2TT]

That is a rip off, The Lextreme guy mentions that he rebuilds the core you send to him, so wouldn't that mean he would put a new ball joint on anyway?, why would it matter if you send him a bad ball joint?

[Mr Revhead]

You can get the tie-rod ends (balljoints) rebuilt for about $90 each.

yeah we often get ball joints rebuilt when theres no replacement available for them.
i would look into that.

if i remember i'll check to see if we do a replacement arm at work.

[Lex400]

Well after alot of fiddling and prying this way and that with the upper control arm i'm thinking it may be ok so probably i'll just get the inner bushes.

brett_celicacoupe: did you get around to fiiting those bushes from fulcrum.. would be keen to know if they still keep the floaty ride or stiffen it up a fair bit. For 100 both sides i may just give them a go.

I would stay away form the arnotts airbags. After some research on arnotts industries i found alot of people weren't happy with their airbags suspension but as for the arm I haven't come to any conclusion. some people were happy with them although some arms were hard to fit and one of them came with a dust boot missing. They also trade on ebay and have a fair bit of negative feedback but i haven't seen what for yet.

[brett_celicacoupe]

nah i havent fitted the upper inner bushes yet, its a bit of a mission.

see here for a decent scope of what has to be done http://www.planetsoarer.com/celsior/bushes/bushes.htm


i need to change the LCA ball joint/steering arms first. when i had the car on the hoist last, i could move the uprights up and down a couple mm by supporting the wheel under my shoulder and lifting the whole assembly

[brett_celicacoupe]

here is also another basic guide for changing the ball joints

http://www.planetsoarer.com/balljoint/index.htm

[brett_celicacoupe]

okay i just changed the upper control arm bushes. replaced them with the super pro ones from fulcrum for $120.

i also changed the LCA ball joint/steering arm assembly. replaced them with genuine toyota items, $350ish i think.

result: no more knocking over small bumps. steering feels alot better. there was oscillations at various frequencies before.

next step is 2 new tyres on the front and hopefully repair the slight bend in one of the rims. ill also get a wheel alignment soon too as it was a waste of time before

[Lex400]

Hey brett_celicacoupe, how's the new bushes feeling.. would you recommend using super pro bushes?

Now I'm back to considering possibly ordering some arnnots industry Upper control arms.. anyone interested in doing a group buy??

I'm at a point where I'm not sure with how far i should go replacing all the worn bushes. i think just about every bush is worn and maybe some balljoints as well but am considering another vehicle form the toyota stable sometime within 6-12 months and don't feel comfortable spending 1-2k on these bushes/balljoints alone although i do want to enjoy this car while i have it... would prefer to do performance mods

Can anyone recommend any good suspension shops or mechanics in the sydney area where i can get this car's suspension system checked and possibly some work done.

cheers