Wednesday, August 26, 2015 - 06:37 pm, by: Gary Baker(Senior_citizen)
Hello gents. I purchased last week end a 31 from a forum member in Canberra ...this week I have tried to change over the rego ...tried several approved inspection stations and was told they could not do it as it was an imported vehicle and would need to go to the Dickson testing station ( not good) arranged a time and had it inspected ... they failed the following 1. upper and lower ball joints both driver and passenger sides 2. HID lights. 3. oil leaks and 4 vehicle to low ( said it needed to be a minimum of 400mm at the lowest point.
I have spent last night pricing parts and am only now sort of recovering ,just the price of the arms is well north of what I paid for the whole car.
some research here and elsewhere tell me you cannot just replace the ball joints but need to purchase the complete arm some options were Ebay? supra parts or 2nd hand WOULD like to hear from others and their cheapest solutions
needing a set of stock headlights what sort of cost are they?
the car was changed over from TEMS to supra bilsteins which have lowered the car to below 400mm is there any way these units can be raised without buying new springs ??
Any help in where to get cheap parts or 2nd hand would be appreciated and solutions from other before me who have had similar problems cheers gary
Friday, August 28, 2015 - 03:26 pm, by: John Street(Rex2ce)
Also the bloke who created this topic does not even acknowledge a post in his favour when you have taken the time to research and recommend for him, so let him look himself
Friday, August 28, 2015 - 06:36 pm, by: Gary Baker(Senior_citizen)
Thank you John for your help I post when I have the time to do so ....seems I should have researched a bit more before taking on a soarer... to spoilt by cheap parts for local makes and there easy access.....as you say about 2nd hand parts caveat emptor.....just a bit over the top when some basic spares cost more than the car is worth ...well enough bitching and thanks again
Friday, August 28, 2015 - 07:35 pm, by: Scott Vim(1uz1jz)
My lca bushings are totally rooted. If it wasn't much more expensive I'd change the whole arm. Just changing the bushings will fix the squeaking sound and bring back the great feel to the car. The ball joints are not really common failure items. Shame the exchange rate isn't what it used to be.
Saturday, August 29, 2015 - 06:00 am, by: Tom Richards(Tomr)
check the ball joint, if OK repack with grease and a new rubber boot. Replace the bushes with rubber bushes from peter taplin. Straight forward and not expensive. If the ball joint is stuffed , go 2nd hand for a unit with a good ball joint and do the above with it
Saturday, August 29, 2015 - 07:37 am, by: Gary Baker(Senior_citizen)
Thanks Tom I will be putting it up on stands today and will inspect both sides hopefully the bushes are the main culprit though this car has close to 400,000k's on it ....John that link you gave looks like the supra arms have replaceable ball joints? Thanks to all who gave advice
Saturday, August 29, 2015 - 01:03 pm, by: Gary Baker(Senior_citizen)
Checked the upper and lower ball joints ...both lower are shot the rubber boots have all but disintegrated leaving both balls without any lubrication the uppers are not as bad but the rubbers have badly split and released most of the grease....all the rubber boots on tie rod ends and shocks are also perishing ....not sure if they ( rubber boots ) can be purchased separately?...tracked down some second hand parts cheap so I will take a chance on these first before buying new.
Saturday, September 12, 2015 - 02:50 pm, by: Gary Baker(Senior_citizen)
Changed the LCA's today as can be seen they were knackered this is how they came out .....used the cheapest option a second hand pair from a supra ....straight forward job but they did not want to come out rusted bolts etc.
now to raise the ride height ....the car is fitted with all round supra bilsteins springs unknown .....need to raise height at least 30/35mm to make for a 100mm min clearance for rego ....any idea cheers
Mike Beck Goo Roo New Zealand UZZ32 No.32 & JZZ31 3.0GT