Replacing Front Upper Control Arm 97-05 Lexus GS
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- čas přidán 5. 09. 2024
- This video is made as a guideline to show you how to change upper control arm on a 1997-2005 Lexus GS
I hope it was helpful!
Torque Specs:
Control Arm Bushing Bolts: 39 ft-lbs
Upper Ball Joint Stud: 64 ft-lbs
Upper Strut Mount Nuts: 41 ft-lbs
Wheel: 76 ft-lbs
Tools used in this video:
- 3 Ton Low Profile Jack: www.harborfrei...
- 3 Ton Craftsman Jack Stands: amzn.to/3imG0DK
- ½ inch 6 Pt. Impact Socket Set: www.harborfrei...
- ½ inch 6 Pt. Deep Impact Socket Set: www.harborfrei...
- ½ Inch Swivel Sockets: www.harborfrei...
- 3/8” Deep 6-Point Sockets: www.harborfrei...
- ½”Torque Wrench: amzn.to/3g3mFqb
- ½ Inch Bauer Impact Gun: www.harborfrei...
- Bauer Impact Driver: www.harborfrei...
- 20V 1.5Ah Bauer Battery: www.harborfrei...
- 20V 3Ah Bauer Battery: www.harborfrei...
- ½ inch Ratchet: amzn.to/3kQobiZ
- 3/8” Ratchet: amzn.to/37i5Yph
Parts used in this video:
- Front Left Upper Control Arm (DELPHI TC2932): www.rockauto.c...
Other related videos:
- Lexus GS Playlist: • 2001 Lexus GS300
- Lexus GS Front Lower Ball Joints: • Replacing Front Lower ...
Please note that I am not a professional mechanic, nor am I saying that you have to do exactly what I say in this video. Perform these repairs at your own risk! Safety first ;)
Please don’t stop posting about this gs300!!! This is my first car and I don’t know anything about cars. But with your videos I know a LOT of stuff now. Your videos are amazing!
Thank you! I will not stop posting for sure. I'm glad the videos are helping!
This is probably the best instructional video about anything I’ve ever learned ever.
Thank you!
Thanks so much, I just got a 98 gs400 that needs pretty much everything done to it and your videos help a lot. Thanks a lot I’ll do my best to spread your channel around.
Thank you! Good luck on all the repairs!
They are literally best cars I miss mine so much
*It's amazing how a little pin can stop total catastrophic suspension failure.*
Yes indeed
I need to do control arms on the sc, watching this actually gave me some confidence so I’m gonna get some tools with my next check so I can start doing things myself.
It's a pretty easy job, just take your time and focus on what each step requires. Don't forget to get an alignment after you're done!
@@AutoFixYT got it
Once again another really good tutorial on the GS 300. Thanks 👍 it takes all of the guess work out of it whenever I need to do my own. 💯👍👏👌
I'm glad the video was helpful!
Love the videos man! Just subscribed last night after watching your engine rebuild on the lexus! Very interesting. I just bought a 2000 GS300 not that long ago so these very detailed videos help me a ton! Even though I'm not that mechanic savvy. But I do what I can to get by!
Thank you!! That's awesome that you just got one, I love this car, it's a lot of fun to drive and very comfortable at the same time!
I'm glad the videos are helpful, I'll try to keep them coming!
Bro i was looking for control arms for my 91 ls400 and most places dont make them anymore then i saw your link to rockauto i did tons of review research on reddit and most swears up and down that these guys are legit I'm giving them a try thanks bro
I've been buying from Rockauto for 6 years now. They are a huge company and have tons of parts. You just have to know what to pick because sometimes they have cheaper choices and when people pick those and are unhappy with the part, they blame rockauto and not the part. I highly recommend rockauto!
@@AutoFixYT Thanks question though what if we don't know the part number how do we determine which part to get for example the control arms that I'm looking for
When you buy the part it tells you exactly what it is. For example, it will say that the part you are looking at is the front driver's upper control arm.
@@AutoFixYT THANKS AGAIN BRO👍👍👍👍
Good video man
Thanks!
Excellent video...many thanks
👍
Wow great video ,, This dude is as good as Chris Fix,,,, the dealership wanted $512 to change the control arm,,, I can do it myself at the cost of the part. Thanks
That's a lot of money!! Granted that probably includes the wheel alignment after the repair but still crazy!
I'm glad the video was helpful!
the same procedure worked on my SC430 too, thanks
Yes I think those also share the same suspension setup.
Awesome vid
Thanks!
Awesome vid. I have replaced everything besides front struts and upper control arms yet I still have a very noticeable clunk smh. hoping i's the uppers
Yeah those will clunk if the bushings or the ball joint are bad. Also these struts in these cars are known for making noise as they get old. So that could be it too. Start with upper controla arms though.
Hey did replacing the uppers stop the clunking? I bought some delphi upper control arms and I feel play on the right Side and hear clunking from broth sides, as if they've already failed which sucks because I just bought them a few hundred miles ago😩
If you only drove a few hundred miles on them, it is unlikely that those are your problem. And if they are, then something else is bad and putting extra stress on them. Regardless, with the car on the ground you should be able to feel if there is any play in the bushings by grabbing on the upper control arm and shaking it back and forth with all the force you can possibly put into it. The faster the better, to simulate driving conditions. To test the ball joint, take the wheel off and press the arm down with the suspension dropping down. If there's no play, the ball joint isn't bad. You can also test for movement by grabbing the wheel at 12 and 6 o'clock and trying to move it back and forth.
If the control arms are good, your problem is elsewhere. So check all other arms for play, they all have bushings too. You also have a lower ball joint which is notorious for failing on these cars, so if you still have the original one, get it out of there and buy yourself a good quality aftermarket one. I have a video on how to replace that.
Check your tie rods, those can clunk too. Both inner and outers. Last thing will be the strut. Other than the typical signs of a bad strut such as oil leaking, broken springs, worn out shocks, you also have the strut mount that goes bad on these cars and make clunking noises. Mine all do it and I've been ignoring them for years now. Hasn't gotten any worse, just a very light clunk. I'll get to them eventually.
Oh and I almost forgot about the sway bar link and the sway bar bushings! Those can clunk too.
@@AutoFixYT ok thanks. Well I replaced all the front suspension parts except the struts. I went and got a wheel alignment and everything was good for about a week and then started noticing the clunk sound. I alreadchecked my sway bar links, ball joints, tie rods, sway bar bushings. There all new and a good brand. I do feel play when I move the uppercontrol arm so I'm going to take the wheel off and check it today. Something is telling me that it's failed because both sides all of a sudden have this clunking sound and for all my parts to be new and for it to have play, seems likely. How about rotors? I purchased new ones as well and I notice that there is some play when I place them on the hub. The holes that go on to the hub are a little wider than the previous ones and it causes the rotor to move a little while on the hub..
Like the camera angle.
Thank you!
nice video!!
im just jealous on your corolla... its really rare
Thank you!
Nice video thank you.
So I used this very helpful video and got it done very quick. How ever the sound persists(clunking when hitting bumps) I noticed the back joint on the control arm was quite easy to move is that normal? Cheers
Easy to move and having play are two different things. On ball joints, usually they won't clunk until you can press the stud in and out and it moves freely in it's socket as you do that. The best way to do that is with a pry bar and the wheel off. Doing to by hand doesn't always give you the necessary leverage. So try to pry it up or down, depending on which direction the pressure is on it. If it's naturally being pulled down, then pry down on the arm up up on the knuckle.
Just a comment, I have just replaced mine and what I did to allow the bolts to be removed is jack up the suspension, it helps to give them more space. Saves altering the strut.
I tried that actually I just didn't show it, didn't work for me
@@AutoFixYT At least you tried it. Great videos BTW.
Just to let you know I couldn't change one side till now, but you will never believe it the top bolts came out without any problem!
@@Golo1949 Wow, they must have been perfectly lined up!
Hey, what was the reason you changed the upper control arm? Did you hear a clicking sound at all when driving?
Yes that's exactly why. It had play.
@@AutoFixYT how's the Delphi control arm holding up!???
I need to do mine
Super easy job! The most annoying part is getting the two control arm bolts lined up and back in. I struggled with that because you can't really see when they're lined up so you have to just keep trying.
Excellent video I love it,question to be raised can I replaced only the bush's and ball joint and what is the estimate cost for 2 bushes and ball joint.
You cannot replace just the ball joint on this car, it's built into he upper control arm. As for the bushings, yes you can replace them but it's not worth it. For less than $100 you can get a new control arm which has both new bushings and a new ball joint and you don't have to do any of the work to press them out and back in.
@@AutoFixYT Your prompt of response is highly appreciated, many thanks.
what is your wheel tire spec and offset? i just got a gs300 2004 and I don't know much about wheels and tires
In the summer I run 350z wheels which fit perfectly on the front, in the rear I have a 1/2" spacer. 235/50R18 tires all around. In the winter I run stock wheels and winter tires
Good afternoon sir, did changing the upper control arms leave your gs lifted higher then normal after the install?
No. Replacing any control arm should not affect ride height. That is only affected by the springs.
@@AutoFixYT well this passed weekend I replaced them TRQ from A1 auto and it left it about a inch to two inches higher. Somebody told me they need to settle in before they go back to regular height. Do you recommend something else that I should check or do I would appreciate the feedback thank you
@Guanabana6911 if you removed your strut, make sure that's seated well where it bolts on. There's no way a control arm can make a car sit that much higher.
@@AutoFixYT I did not remove the strut, did not have to.
Yo I have a 95 Corolla DX that needs a rack and pinion replacement and needs a new headlight switch so the brights can properly work without holding the switch down so I can pass inspection if you have any more videos on the Corolla wagon which is the same as the sedan about the problems I have I would gladly watch repeatedly if not could you possibly maybe make some por favor 😊
I do not have any videos on that unfortunately. I'm sure I will eventually make some but for now I have other videos waiting to be filmed on repairs I have to make. So don't expect them any time soon. Sorry!
@@AutoFixYT it's all good. I did watch a little bit of the brake changing video today while I changed my front brake pads and rotors next I want to the drums or possibly even convert them over to disc not sure how to do that but it's an eventual plan.
@@metalmindedmaniac2587 Personally I would keep them drums but if you really want disk brakes then you have to take them off of a Celica. Make sure you also take the proportioning valve otherwise your brakes won't work right after the swap. You can also swap the car to 5 lug that way, take front and rear hubs and brakes from a Celica
@@AutoFixYT hmm that may be an idea, initially I wanted to build a tuner with the ultimate goal of building my block with a 4age head but that is probably not gonna happen or any time soon need schematics on how to and there isn't a lot of info on that other than it's been done before making the infamous 7age engine. I may just keep it simple since it's an economy car and I can't complain about the gas mileage for an older car I can go for almost a whole month without filling up completely may just find an 80's Supra or Celica and make that a project vehicle or a Hilux with the 22RE that would be sweet.
I have thought of that before too but personally I'd rather turbo a stock 7A-FE. That's just me though. I think I'd have more fun with that.
As for the brakes, I don't know about your car but on mine, my drum brakes are really good for what I need. Yes if I were to track the car I'd overheat them but for on road use they actually hold just as good as my fronts so it's perfect
Hey. I'm trying to figure out what size wheel spacers you used. I was thinking 25mm for rear and 10mm for front for mine and was wondering if you're was the same. looking to do this job but was wondering if going aftermarket control arm will have inferior rubber bushings compared to the hassle of replacing oem bushes only. great how to, thxs
I have 1" spacers in the rear and no spacers in the front, and those are 350z wheels.
As for the control arm, replacing the bushings isn't worth it in my opinion because if you get a new arm you get a new ball joint too. So might as well go that route and make the repair a lot easier. If you pick a good aftermarket brand it'll last you for a long time. Search around and find a good balance between cost and quality.
@@AutoFixYT thxs for the advice. will go for the 25mm and def shop around. will be using your 2j removal video as so many others do.. hats off to u sir!!
@@jayb391 Thank you!
Nice
how do i get the spindle to not rub against the strut
That's not supposed to happen... you must have bent or broken something.
Hey bro, I hope you're doing alright. I know this video is not about the Rolla wagon but thought I'd ask you, I have 1993 Corolla wagon I want to lower it but Idk where to start can't really find parts for it I live in BC, Canada do you have any good websites that do International shipping? and what do I need to consider when dropping the car like any advice tips? thanks man all the best to you
Hi!
Ok so first off, you have some options for lowering.
You use stock-like shocks but with lowering springs on them. This is the cheapest qualilty option (you'll see later why). If your shocks are not new-ish I would replace them with KYB ones because those tend to be stiffer, thus less chance of bottoming out once you're on the lowering springs.
You can also go the coilover route. Now here you have options on Amazon for some cheap budget coilovers that might be even cheaper than new KYB shocks with lowering spring. But... the ride quality you get from them will be absolute trash. So yes you're gonna be low for cheap, but don't count on them when it comes to ride quality or even longevity.
The best option for coilovers is hands down BCRacing coils. But... those will be the most expensive out of all the options. They do however have the best ride quality of all the lowering options mentioned above. They also last a long time. So you have to kinda shop around and also see what your budget is. Personally I'm planning on dropping mine on lowering springs (i already have KYB struts and they ride nice and stiff even in stock form, but take bumps very nicely). But like I said if you have the money, BC Racing coilovers will be the best choice. I know people that got those on their Corolla and said that it rides amazing.
Lastly, unless you're into extreme camber setups, you might wanna get some camber bolts for the front and the rear so you can correct any extra camber if necessary, to help with traction and tore wear. Don't zero it out like the factory alignment. I have mine set to -2° in the front and about -1.5° in the rear. Takes corners like you shouldn't believe. Very little understeer.
Ok. That's all I have to say. Hope this helps!
@@AutoFixYT Hey man, first thank you so much for the detailed response I really appreciated. The current shocks on my car are stock Toyota ones but they're in a really bad shape, I contacted NAPA in my area and they said they will get back to me regarding the KYB shocks. I also contacted another place for BCRacing coils but I found that they may take up to 2 months to get here and they cost around $1400 CAD plus labour (around $500) I think it is unlikely that I will go with the BCRacing coils option just because it costs a lot of money so I am waiting to see how much the KYB ones will cost plus labour and then make a decision. Lastly, I have few questions if you don't mind, will you be making a video once you drop the wagon? also if I drop mine with KYB struts and lowering springs, how low do you recommend? and do you think that would make the car slightly unpractical? (it is my daily and I normally carry 2-3 passengers with me). Again, thank you so much man, take care.
I'm gonna be honest if you carry weight/passengers every single day I would not lower it at all, I'd get stock KYB strut assemblies. But if you still do want to lower it you have options. Browse the springs available on Amazon. You have a 2" drop, 1.5" drop, and I think even 1.25" drop. Personally I'd drop mine 2" but I don't carry around weight often. Most of the time it's just me in the car.
I will be making a video when I lower mine but that's not gonna happen for a long time. Got other more important projects lined up for now.
Replacing the strut assemblies isn't that difficult. I have videos on it. With basic tools you can do it yourself and it will save you labor costs. It's an old video of mine so it's not the greatest but it gets the point across. If you buy from rockauto.com that will also save you a lot of money as opposed to the parts store. Parts stores are always overpriced.
Anyway, since you live in Canada (where rust is a thing lol) and you have original struts, I suggest you buy sway bar links as well. Most likely the ones you have on right now will not come off easily unless you already had them replaced recently. If they're old, you'll fight them and break them. So new ones will be necessary.
@@AutoFixYT Honestly, you're right. I think I am just gonna go with the KYB struts, it's just more practical and cheaper. Yeah man living up here chances are my sway bar links are rusty as hell, I think few other suspension components might be rusty or seized too since the car is very old and I don't think the've been replaced before by the previous owner. I will order from rockauto the prices like you said are really cheap comparing with the other stores. Thanks so much man for your help, you're the best :) stay safe.
@@ContemporaryMoses01 My pleasure! Hope it all works out for you!
Bro how in the hell did you need to take all those things out?, I literally took only the upper arm out and replaced.
Well idk if you have a different brand strut or coilover but on the factory struts, the bolts for the control arm will hit the spring so you have to unbokt the strut and move it out of the way. Not uncommon but annoying for sure.
@@AutoFixYT I have factory struts and springs for sure, I've seen everyone take those out but idk what I did right. Maybe my springs are streched idk, anyways replacing them next week.
@@Cptlink420 Weird haha maybe you have a very rare one where the springs happen to lign up perfectly haha
👍🙏😎🙏👍
Willing to sale?
No, sorry
Sir my ac blower not working
Well if it's the blower not working then you either have a bad fuse, bad resistor, or a bad blower motor. If it's the ac not blowing cold then you could have a leak somewhere and need to fix it before adding refrigerant, or an electrical issue that's not triggering the ac compressor to turn on. Could also be a stuck blend door but if it's not stuck on hot air then that's not the case. Hope this helps!
@@AutoFixYT Electric not coming
@@abooddxbvlogs2248 Where do you not have power? At the blower motor or at the AC compressor trigger wire?
@@AutoFixYT for blower not coming power. Ac compressor working
@@AutoFixYT i wanna make video to show u but how can send u
And remove your..
And remove your..
AND REMOVE YOUR!! control arm
Haha
Hey how have these parts held up, mine need replaced aswell it’s hard to decide what brand to go with. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Held up fine for me! They're still on the car now doing well