Monday, August 09, 2010 - 07:16 pm, by: Jack Driver(Jacko)
Hi. Very healthy community here. Looks like lots of people like these cars as much as I do. Just got a 96 31 V8 and really like it. Only one problem, the front ball joints and possibly the rear thrust bushes are stuffed. Toyota quoted $1500.00 a side!!!! What the heck am I going to do here? Is there a cheaper way out? I'm a past classics driver and I really really like this car. Any help greatly appreciated. Jack.
I am in the same situation as you jack. Find yourself a good pair of control arms with good ball joints then get rubber bushes fitted. You will be very happy with the outcome.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010 - 12:14 am, by: Anthony Troyano(Dramaking408)
Hey jacko I am very simpathetic to your problem and if you were not so far from me i would really do my best to help you out brother because all soarer drivers are like family at heart. But anyway I'm writing because I'm in ny and i drive a red 1995 sc400. And trust me she is the apple of my eye. But this is the thing i have been hearing a clicking noise in my front end when I'm going very slow and turning the wheel like parking or sharp turns or any type of close quarter turning of the wheel and I'm starting to feel like i may be having that same problem you just described. So what i wanted to ask you is what was the first sign the car gave you to let you know that you had that problem. It would be very helpful to me if you could remember the first signs of that ball joint problem. Thanx brother!
Costa Tsimiklis DieHard Victoria 386.2 rwkw Soon T51R or GT4094
Tuesday, August 10, 2010 - 08:19 am, by: Tom Richards(Tomr)
symptoms i had were heavy steering and the the car did not self centre if you let go of the steering wheel. It also rattle on rough road. The LHS lower ball joint pulled apart, lucky i was at low speed.
if you google SC400 lower control arms , you will fing new ones in the usa for ~ us$350 If you have airbag suspension, you will need to weld a tab to the arm for the ht control linkage.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010 - 11:51 am, by: Jack Driver(Jacko)
Anthony Troyano wrote on Tuesday, August 10, 2010 - 12:14 am:
Hey Anthony Thanks for your post. The first sign that I had trouble was when the mechanic doing the roadworthy walked up and said "your lower ball joints have up and down movement and need to be replaced to pass and register the car." I do trust the guy as have been with him for a long time and never known him to mess around. I picked the car up on the NSW coast and drove it 700 km that day to get it home. It never missed a beat and the front end was solid as a rock and straight as rails. Have almost never felt a car that tight before. I really like it already. So sorry but I cant help you with your diagnostics. Clicking from the front? Just not close enough to the car yet to know. Sorry mate and good luck. J.
Friday, August 13, 2010 - 04:53 pm, by: Chris Ryan(Ryzan)
I bought new "Supra" ones from the US last year. Exactly the same chunk of metal, just slightly stiffer bushes, and the bushes are already fitted for you.
Sunday, August 22, 2010 - 08:49 pm, by: Jack Driver(Jacko)
Hey Thanks Boris. I have tracked down a better deal than what I first found. Now that I have the all important RWC I'll go ahead for the minute but I would one day like to drive this car in absolutely mint condition so I check justin out. Cheers.
Thursday, August 26, 2010 - 09:55 am, by: Jeff Bedsor(Jeff_bedsor)
Daniel Lee wrote on Monday, August 09, 2010 - 07:34 pm:
The front ball joints for the soarer cannot be fix and have to replace with a brand new front lower control arm
Not exactly true. The company below does an excellent job of fixing the ball joints, I had mine done 2 years ago and have had no problems since. Reasonably priced as well and great service.
A Ball Joint Restorer (07) 4632 3930 Address Unit 2/ 15-19 Wylie St, Toowoomba QLD 4350, Australia
Previous
