Lower ball joints symptoms

[ls400lpg]

What are the symptoms for worn lower ball joints and how do you check them?

 

Any thoughts appreciated thanks buddy!!

[Malc]

well I don't know ............ BUT what I do know is that there were ZERO symptoms for the ball joints in both the UpperCAs at the front ( at 173k miles ? ) nor at the rear ( at 193k miles ) ( both nearside ) when they failed their respective MOTs

The car drove quite as usual in all that time and I guess only under pressure when tested at the MOT station, up in the air, were they found " wanting "

Malc

[ls400lpg]

Reason I am asking is mainly that the Lexus dealer did a health check and sent me a video.

I then took to my local garage with the new lower ball joints and they said dosent need changing.

 

3 different garagaes said the same.

 

Am I disrespecting Lexus dealers or are the 3 MOT centre wrong?

 

Sorry if it is a stupid question 

[Farqui]

Clunks, vibration and/or wandering/erratic steering.

Why'd you ask, is your car doing something weird?

*update: you replied at the same time I did...

The joints can physically be checked with a pry bar from play/movement, does the Lexus video show any such tests/similar?

[ls400lpg]

Yes I think you have more or less covered my symptoms.

 

hence reason I took it to dealers.

 

Maybe I am thinking local garages cannot diagnose Ls cars incudig established ones and Kwik fit. They all say no problems with the suspension at all???

[Farqui]

If you already have the replacement lower ball joints then I'm surprised none of the garages offered to fit them.  Especially as your car exhibits the symptoms.  

Although some are fickle about what parts they fit, so they can warranty their effort and they also could claim the VAT back if they sourced the components.

Have the track rod ends and other suspension bushes been checked too?

Does the Lexus video look compelling?  Is it taken from your car?  How much do Lexus want to install the parts?  Can you install them yourself?

[ls400lpg]

I got the ball joints from Lexus Birmingham for £75 each as it gave me a discount compared to Bolton.

Here is the link from Bolton. I am sure it will work on internet.

 

https://video.citnow.com/vtsSZ5QYn-P

 

I cant install them. Not enough courage or skills or equipment.

 

Thanks

[Farqui]

Wow, that's the first time I've seen one of these Lexus reports.  Thanks for sharing.

The vid is all doom and gloom tho don't you think. The chap could do with adding some positives or at least g'ing it up a bit 

Fortunately the Report allows you to see the issues and costs to repair to help you decide on what do to.  For instance, the front tyres still have some life left in them (1.6mm UK min across the tyre).

There might be some play in the lower ball joint he tested, kinda difficult to see but the cynic in me (I trust very few folk) says he could have loosened the top nut before showing you.  Especially as 3 other garages have said the joint is fine.

[ls400lpg]

Do you think he was right about the balljoint. As everyone said it was ok except for Lexus?

 

Or is it that when it is tight fitted like on video means you cannot tell

[Britprius]

Now if I am not mistaken there is no play in that ball joint.

The mechanic is levering the ball socket attached to the bottom arm downwards. The road spring indirectly via the bottom of the shockabsorber pushes this downwards anyway taking up any play in that direction. To show play the lever would need to be under the ball joint, and onto the inside of the wheel rim pushing upwards.

You cannot see any movement on the ball joint when he uses the bar. I would trust the other garages.

The exhaust appears to be in quite reasonable condition. There is nothing that suggest a repair piece could not be put in at reasonable cost compared with a new system.

John

 

[plastic orange]

Sounds like a Kwik fit style of report, not what I'd expect of a Lexus dealership.

 

Pete

[Farqui]

John's right about the exhaust, the vid didn't justify why you'd need to replace the whole system just because of 1 joint leaking.

[plastic orange]

8 minutes ago, Farqui said:

John's right about the exhaust, the vid didn't justify why you'd need to replace the whole system just because of 1 joint leaking.

That's why I made my Kwik Fit comment as this was one of their tactics.

 

Pete

[Malc]

Blimey, just seen the video ..... wot a load of codswallop ..... these are stainless steel exhausts and will literally last the life of the car ...  there's a minor leak somewhere that needs a slight tightening I guess ........

The Pirelli tyres, well, the price seems a bit steep and i for one wouldn't use Pirelli, I have them on the Honda Legend and personally I think they give a goddam awful ride on that car.

Cambelt, well, when was it last changed ?  10 years and / or 100k miles is the norm for the Ls400 in my book !

The oil leak I have no idea.

The ball joints, well, that's the way my MOT tester checked mine and my indy mechanic I've been using for 10 years didn't spot it on the rear, he couldn't provide the necessary pressure in situ and on the ground, it looked all ok. ........  the MOT tester who has always tested the cars pointed it out .......  I trust him, he has no axe to grind on supplying parts or getting work... and at 193k miles on the original ball joint, well, nothing lasts forever, not even on a Ls400 

so what's the car's mileage ?

Malc

 

 

 

 

[Cotswold Pete]

27 minutes ago, Farqui said:

John's right about the exhaust, the vid didn't justify why you'd need to replace the whole system just because of 1 joint leaking.

Totally agree with this, just get yourself off to a custom exhaust specialist, they'll sort you out for a fair price, using stainless steel rebuild.

As for lower ball joints, a clunk and wandering are symptoms, but last ball joint I had done the clunk was so minimal I would never have guessed it was the problem. 

Personally I'd go with the non-Lexus chaps, and forget the 'nice' but useless video.

[ls400lpg]

Timing belt which I bought of them in 2015 and done by indy.

Oil leak (not sure where).

Exhaust I had rebuilt or custom made in Dec 2016 from front to middle I think.

Took car to tyre shop. They said come back in 2 months as they said it has a bit left in it.

Mileage approx 169,876 ish

[Malc]

170k miles isn't bad on original ball joints then eh !  if indeed they do need sorting ...  after all, that might solve your drive problem

Malc

[ls400lpg]

Cheers Malc.

 

Someone quoted me £65 per side from an indy.

 

A bit steep so I will check around.

[mikeyv]

Do they really expect anybody to cough up £3,500 on repairing cars of this age and value?

[Farqui]

Gawd is that really how much the total bill could come to?

 

Ah yes, the zoorst is pricey.

 

I hope nobody clicks all the options, which then forces@ls400lpg to pay for the lot...

[ls400lpg]

Lets hope not for my sake.

 

However Lexus had wavered the health check of £85 form Bolton.

Perhaps it is because I have used them on numerous times hahaha, which I appreciated

[plexus914]

INSPECTION FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT...................There is no need for a pry bar.