Fun Fact #776

"sony1492" (sony1492) 08/20/2017 at 21:19 • Filed to: Fun fact

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Mk4 Supras, Sc300/400's have no serviceable ball joints. Good thing Lower control arms are cheap, O wait..... They cost $330 each (cheapest I’ve found) Multi link rear is great too because MORE BALLJOINTS!!!

I couldnt even find oem Camber arms (for lack of a better term) for the rear a suspension. What I found was by Megan Racing for around $160 each.(too much in my book)

In my dreams

The rest of the suspension can be found aftermarket for cheap, though quality is a concern when buying adjustable toe arms for $50 and $100 uca’s

Net result:

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > sony1492 08/20/2017 at 21:27

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My dads a Toyota/Lexus master tech and said it’s pretty much a one time expense though.

sony1492 > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 08/20/2017 at 21:31

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After 250-300,000 miles they are toast.

Though I’m willing to bet that my driveway had alot to do with the problem(couple years of a few miles a day on REALLY rough dirt road)

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > sony1492 08/20/2017 at 21:39

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I spent more on my 90k mile service than on any other of my previous vehicles outright.

sony1492 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 08/20/2017 at 22:09

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-Lexus-

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > sony1492 08/20/2017 at 23:22

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Exactly. 250-300k for a wear item is not that bad.

sony1492 > sony1492 08/21/2017 at 00:10

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They are quality parts but I don’t see why they couldn’t have made the ball joints replaceable other than saving a few ounces.

VonBootWilly - Likes Toyota, but it's still complicated. > sony1492 08/21/2017 at 05:57

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See my username.

Honestly for every one of these situations there is like 67 other things that aren’t breaking at the same time that you didn’t have to replace. It’s also possible to make these things, but if you aren’t equipped and don’t know enough about quality joints you end up with something like Megan anyway.

Our S160 GS’s apparently have stupid expensive master cylinders, a big unit with stuff built in. Those don’t appear in junk yards often, but I’ll be grabbing one of those for $25 at the u-pull yard if I ever see one!!

pip bip - choose Corrour > sony1492 08/21/2017 at 07:37

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we have an SC400/Soarer V8 in at work at present (used Jap import, never sold new here in Australia) that needs an Alternator

having trouble finding one everyone we get from the wreckers or aftermarket is different to whats on this one.

tried Toyota australia, but they don’t sell them here

sony1492 > pip bip - choose Corrour 08/21/2017 at 11:29

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It will take forever but eBay would probably work. Is the soarer a common car to import? Ive read a lot online and it seems like a healthy number made it into Australia.

sony1492 > VonBootWilly - Likes Toyota, but it's still complicated. 08/21/2017 at 11:37

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Most of the multi link bits could be made with heim joints and such but the Lca fits the way it does with no room for compromise. Also the shock bolts to the rear camber arm so making something would be more have to be custom to fit the shock mount and very beefy

pip bip - choose Corrour > sony1492 08/21/2017 at 17:47

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Yeah, plenty here

Lots have been written off too

sony1492 > pip bip - choose Corrour 08/21/2017 at 18:05

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Does anyone import ls400's?

pip bip - choose Corrour > sony1492 08/21/2017 at 19:36

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Some turned up as Toyota celsior

Most here sold new officially as Lexus ls400

sony1492 > pip bip - choose Corrour 08/21/2017 at 19:47

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Have you tried an alternator off of one of those? As long as the soarer and LS are in the same year range I’m guessing it should work 89-94 95-96 97-00

BLCKSTRM > sony1492 08/22/2017 at 02:15

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There must be some kind of reason - M3 front LCAs are the same way (at least for E36 and E46, if not the newer ones too), though you can occasionally find people who have figured out how to service these “non-serviceable” items.

Check around on the forums and Facebook and see what you can find.

sony1492 > BLCKSTRM 08/22/2017 at 02:21

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I think it has to do with shaving weight wherever possible, especially out by the wheel but idk. I tried desperately to find a solution and it looks like the few people who tried making it work with new balljoints failed and cracked the area around the ball joint removing it. Just gonna save up and get some aftermarket units as soon as I can,(because replacable joint, it’s the same price or slightly cheaper, and it’s blue)

BLCKSTRM > sony1492 08/22/2017 at 02:25

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Those look awesome and are probably lighter, too (which is probably why they look awesome).