LEXDOGG Posted September 12, 2003 Posted September 12, 2003 I am looking for a set of upper control arms. i called a local dealer and the guy quoted me @$320 each :( I asked him if you can change just the bushings and he said no! i already replaced the struts thinking that it was the problem and it wasnt. I talked to a friend that used to be a lexus tech and he said it is the upper control arm bushings. i found a set at a local junk yard for $85 each but I dont really want to replace them with used parts. if anyone has any info on where I might find a set cheaper than $320 each please let me know. The clunking sound when I hit a bump is irritating Thanks Michael
VMF Posted September 12, 2003 Posted September 12, 2003 www.newlexusparts.com or you chan look through all the lexus dealers selling parts online at www.parts.com
VBdenny Posted September 12, 2003 Posted September 12, 2003 The dealer near me told me the upper control arms on my 400 were "weak" wheatever that means. I don't hear any clunking though. They also said they are magnesium wishbones. Sound like a common complaint. I'm not sure how hard they are to install, but I know when I did them on my Cadillac a few years ago, they were a bear!
obergc Posted September 12, 2003 Posted September 12, 2003 In the past the Lexus dealer in St. Louis sold me parts for a discount. They were quick and cheap with the shipping also, wouldn't hurt to try them. Give them a call. Curt
jzz30 Posted September 12, 2003 Posted September 12, 2003 i got the new now steel arms and i got a pic but i got an error saying i cant upload this type of file how do i do it?
jzz30 Posted September 12, 2003 Posted September 12, 2003 oh and $320 is cheap thats about what i got it for and i have an account with lexus it retails for $416.82 so feel happy that they will give it to you for that much less unless of course you can find it cheaper
VBdenny Posted September 12, 2003 Posted September 12, 2003 I'm not sure why, but most types of files can't be uploaded. Just post it in the gallery or PM Matthew McNully for help. I think it would be really nice to have a repair gallery. I just wouldn't want to see all the models lumped together as they are on the repair boards.
oversteer Posted September 12, 2003 Posted September 12, 2003 $320 is not a bad price and I wasn't able to find anything cheaper. Apparently the upper ball joints are a weak point with the car since they do wear out on all cars...they just wear out faster on the LS400. The good news is that they are really easy to do yourself so you don't need to pay lexus for labor but $640 sucks to replace two ball joints.
LEXDOGG Posted September 13, 2003 Author Posted September 13, 2003 Thanks for the help guys ;) I am just going to buy them from the dealer. They give me a discount because i am an autozone employee(we get discounts at all dealers). I paid $42 for each fron strut last week,so i saved some $$. I am going to have to take it in the a@% and pay $600 for the pair. That really hurts because i just finished putting 4 tv's with 2 amps,optima battery in the trunk,and 3 audiobahn 12's and all new audio witing in my car and it wasnt cheap. I was shootin for a set of new rims but it looks like i will be buying control arms. after that I will be buying the climate control display. Thx again, Michael
mapman Posted September 13, 2003 Posted September 13, 2003 Just replaced one on my ls 400 couple weeks back. Bought on line from irontoad.com for $301 and had it in three days. Alignment shop charged $40 to install and only took him 30 min.
wolver1ne516 Posted December 19, 2003 Posted December 19, 2003 Check out parts.com I not only got them for $120 w/shipping, I also got Lower ball joints for the same. Not bad for $240 both front upper control arms,and lower ball joints. Saved arount $1000 according to my dealers quote.
pachocco1 Posted December 20, 2003 Posted December 20, 2003 wolver1ne516, Could you pass on the name and point of contact of the control arm supplier that you used? I could not seem to duplicate your results on the parts.com web site. Thanks in advance.
jbatast Posted December 21, 2003 Posted December 21, 2003 LISTEN - I am willing to gamble that your problem is not the contrrol arm but ather the strut bars. Strut bar keep the wheels from moving back and forth. If you coast at a slow speed, like 3 mph and slam on the breaks, do you hear the clunk. If so, its the strut bars. These are notorious on LSs. I have been down your route....Check the strut bars first.
VBdenny Posted December 23, 2003 Posted December 23, 2003 Oh okay. when I first bought my car I heard the clunk, then I had the struts replaced and it made a big difference. I still haven't done anything with the control arms, but probably will next summer. I'd just love for someone to do a tutorial on this. I'll even put it together for anyone who will take the pictures and provide the directions.
cenwesi Posted January 4, 2004 Posted January 4, 2004 wolver1ne516, can u please post ur contact at parts.com I need to replace my upper control arm too and parts.com is asking $301 for it
pachocco1 Posted January 4, 2004 Posted January 4, 2004 wolver1ne516 meant to indicate car-parts.com as the url instead of parts.com . car-parts is a auto salvage directory.
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