525 Tully Road
(209) 529-9111
At Kruse Lucas Imports, our skilled, ASE-certified and specialized European automobile technicians can service any model of Lexus. The IS series of Lexus includes various models such as the IS F, IS 200, and IS 500. This series is known for ball joint issues at higher mileage or in rough road conditions.
History of the Lexus IS Series
The Lexus IS series debuted in 1999 in Europe with the Lexus IS 200. A year later, the IS series made its debut in North America with the Lexus IS 300. The first IS models had a very popular taillight style that influenced the clear-cover LED taillamps. In 2005, the Lexus IS 250 and 350 hit the market; this second generation of the IS series emphasized luxury amenities such as keyless entry, push-to-start, and backup cameras. In 2007, the Lexus IS F debuted. In 2022, the Lexus IS series welcomed the IS 500 F Sport Performance, the first Lexus model under the F Sport Performance category.
What Causes Ball Joints to Need Replacements?
Many Lexus models may need to replace their ball joints, though it is just more common to happen with the Lexus IS series. Ball joints are an important part of the suspension system. They are how your wheels can move and pivot freely in the system. The ball joints allow for smooth handling and steering by letting the wheels turn left or right. They also allow the up-and-down movement necessary to drive over bumps.
Ball joints go through normal wear and tear as you drive. At higher mileage, it is important to have regular checks on your suspension. Age isn’t the only concern, however, as driving on rough roads, hitting potholes, grease contamination, rust, corrosion, and metal-to-metal contact also cause wear on ball joints. Driving on rough roads and hitting potholes can contaminate the grease lubricating the ball joints. With the grease getting contaminated by debris and dirt, it causes friction, which leads to faster wear on your ball joints. The grease wearing down on ball joints will cause more metal-to-metal contact. Increased wear will happen because the metal components in the ball joints will rub and grind directly against each other.
Weather is another common path to ball joints wearing out. Depending on where you live, humidity can be higher. With time this will cause rust to build up on your Lexus ball joint components and further advance the wear. If your ball joints wear too much, you will experience excessive play in your steering and instability in your suspension. This makes it unsafe to drive because of compromised steering.
Let Skilled Experts Handle Your Ball Joint Replacement
There are special tools needed to replace your vehicle’s ball joints. Tools include a ball joint puller and a press tool. You should take your Lexus to a specialized repair shop like Kruse Lucas Import. We wouldn’t recommend trying to complete this repair yourself due to the location of the ball joints and the other vehicle components you would need to remove to access them.
On a Lexus, your ball joints are located behind the tire. You would have to unscrew specific bolts on your suspension to access the ball joints. You would also need to schedule a service to ensure proper alignment of your Lexus afterwards. So skip the hassle and headache of trying to replace the ball joints yourself and let an expert handle it.
Bring your Lexus in today to have the ball joints replaced. At Kruse Lucas Import, your vehicle will receive skilled maintenance from our expert mechanics. Common signs to look out for regarding ball joint replacements are:
- Squeaking sounds while turning
- Uneven wear on tires
- Vibrating steering wheel
- Clunking noises while driving over uneven roads or turning
If you notice any of these signs, immediately schedule an appointment and bring your Lexus in. At Kruse Lucas Import, we serve the following cities and areas:
Call us today at 209-529-9111 to schedule an appointment! Don’t wait to get your ball joints replaced. It may lead to further issues with your suspension later on and make your Lexus automobile unsafe to drive.
