Possible ball joint problem on '03 GS430.

cmy430go · Lexus Owner Joined: Mar 31, 2006 Posts: 1

Before I get into this let me just say that any help here would be much appreciated.

I have bad tire wear on the inside edge of my front tires. Back in march my dealer checked alignment and made an adjustment to the front right tow-in, and said this would solve the problem. However I still seem to be having wear issues. Now both front tires are worn bald on the inside edge. Before is was just the front right. Just this morning I took my car to another mechanic to have the front rotors turned and he said that the upper ball joints are worn out. When on the lift he said that he could move them by hand about a half inch. I just got back from the dealer and they told me that the style of joint used on this car will typically have some play in it and that they won't be able to thoroughly check them until they replace the tires on it tomorrow.

Now obviously I'm not a mechanic, but I'm also not completely ignorant on the subject, and I have never heard of a upper ball joint that was designed to have slack in it. The whole idea just seems absurd?

Can anyone here tell me if this is true, or is my dealership trying to feed me a load of crap?

Thanks again for any help.
Dave

shawnjohn · Lexus Owner Joined: Aug 21, 2006 Posts: 7

the joint could be the cause, more than likely if the joint sags in then
you will get inner tire wear, or if it sags out or forward the tires could
become chopy. if you do alot of city driving <left to right turns> can wear
tires out. improper camber and toe adjustments could cause the wear.
if your car is under warranty tell your service advisor you hear a loud
poping noise in the upper ball joint area. they shoudl replace them.