1997 Lexus ES 300 Repair Question
Mileage: No information provided.
1997 Lexus ES 300 Lower Control Arm Bushing and Rear Struts
1997 Lexus ES 300 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 90000 miles
(1) Can lower control bushings be changed independently be changed without changing the entire lower control arm? I have been told the bushing, alone, is not available. (2) Also, the boots on the rear struts have loosened exposing the strut piston rod. Can the boots be changed and/or boots an integral part of new struts? I've been told that new struts do not include boots. And finally then, are the boots necessary? (3) Is there an oil marketed that has a 'red' tint? I have a small leak/drip somewhere on the right side of my engine? The tint is 'red' as in transmission fluid, but fluid levels in both my transmission and power steering remain full.
Asked by abstewartAnswer
Rock auto parts.com
Has all parts on thier site, arm, bushing and strut bellows. Strut bellows are required to keep the rod clean, without it, they get nicked and dirty and this will ruin the seal...
I dont have the picture of front control arm, but it is available too.
The answer I received answered, more or less, my question about the rear strut boos. However, my questions about 'lower control arm bushings' and 'red tinted' oil was not answered.
Thanks,
Al
I did say ALL parts are available, even just bushings, did you go to the site? Red oil is tranny or power steering fluid, motor oil has never been dyed red...
Thank you. Understand availability of control arm bushings. I viewed control arm and bushings on my car. Would you describe how to remove and replace the bushings without removing the control arm; if that is possible.
Thanks again,
Al
At the very least you need to un bolt at the bushings and pull arm down, I would remove it because it makes it more managable, rent a ball joint press tool and press iout and in using ball joint cups, or get a socket large enough to handle the bushing, a lung bolt nut and washers, and pull bushing out that way, install the opposite, by pulling bushing into arm with washer on outside and bolt and washer on other side of the arm. Tighten and bushing will pull into place, use lubricant to assist!
Thanks for the good info. I will follow your advice and remove the control arms for better access. Never thought of 'renting' a press.....will do that also.
Thanks,
Al
Your welcome Al, let me know how you make out!