Here's a copy of my Email to an ebay supplier of upper control arms. I couldn't believe the state of them for under 4,000 miles. My mate who runs the garage couldn't believe it either.
Can I suggest that if any other owner has these fitted to check them thoroughly.
I have had no reply yet to my complaint, but will keep folk updated. I'm going to refit the original parts as they had very little wear on them - only fitted new to perhaps stop steering shake (was discs).




Hi,

I purchased a pair of the upper arms for my Lexus LS 400 from you on February 11th this year and had them fitted by my garage a few days later.
Whilst I was in the garage today (Brake pad fitting), my mechanic noticed severe wear on the ball joint on the N/S unit (Mot failure), and that both ball joint rubber covers were completely perished therefore allowing water to penetrate the joint.
Both these units must be faulty as my car has only done just under four thousand miles since fitting.
I would like to respectfully ask for a refund for these items, as I would imagine that a similar failure would occur with replacements.
Many thanks.

Pete

I hope you get a favourable response from the eBay seller as no doubt at the time you left positive feedback and over 45 days have lapsed since purchase so no chance of a Paypal refund.
If you do not get the required response and the seller is a business you do have rights under UK law through the sale of goods act (merchantable quality).
Please keep us informed of developments as this has serious safety issues which could affect other members who may have purchased the same items and may be unaware of the possible defects.

Don't worry, I'll keep folk in the loop. At the very least I would have expected a year out of them. I won't let the matter rest.

Pete

I contacted the seller by phone today. They seemed genuinely surprised that the arms have failed (12 month warranty) as they have sold many units without any returns. However, they won't send replacements until they receive the faulty ones back, or I purchase new ones, then get the money refunded. I'm not game for this, so the old arms are going back on, and I'll send the faulty ones back. I'll take pictures of them on the car, and off so you can all see what's happened.
It may be a reminder for folk to check their own gaiters if ebay supplied units are fitted - easily done.

Pete

[quote name='plastic orange' date='22 July 2010 - 04:04 PM' timestamp='1279811083' post='727286']
I contacted the seller by phone today. They seemed genuinely surprised that the arms have failed (12 month warranty) as they have sold many units without any returns. However, they won't send replacements until they receive the faulty ones back, or I purchase new ones, then get the money refunded. I'm not game for this, so the old arms are going back on, and I'll send the faulty ones back. I'll take pictures of them on the car, and off so you can all see what's happened.
It may be a reminder for folk to check their own gaiters if ebay supplied units are fitted - easily done.

Pete
[/quote]
Good idea, keep us posted.

Who did you get them from, if you don't mind me asking ?

pm sent

Pete

Old arms now refitted, so I'll send off defective parts soon for replacement. One balljoint was very loose, but the state of the gaiters are quite alarming. I'll post up pics soon.

Pete

Pics:

[IMG]http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b113/plastic_orange/CIMG2137.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b113/plastic_orange/CIMG2138.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b113/plastic_orange/CIMG2141.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b113/plastic_orange/CIMG2142.jpg[/IMG]

Loose ball joint

[IMG]http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b113/plastic_orange/CIMG2143.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b113/plastic_orange/CIMG2144.jpg[/IMG]

Shocking. Given the short time/mileage they should be mint. Clearly a defective batch/materials/workmanship. Hopefully you will get satisfaction but if you don't, I think name and shame is a must.

Now that I have seen the pictures they give me the impression that they are old arms that have been "reconditioned" by probably sandblasting them,repainting and then fitting new bushes.
Nothing wrong there as long as it's done properly.
The actual ball joint as we know cannot be replaced separately and it would seem the rubber gaiters have been cleaned and "refreshed" with something.
The cracking of the rubber would suggest this is age related and therefore they are probably the originals or very poor quality replacements (mine are 16 year old originals and are still looking good.) The ball joints given the amount of play present in one of them would appear to be the originals

I did see some time ago where the socket area could be drilled,tapped and a grease nipple inserted to prolong the life of the joint.

[quote name='SteveLS400' date='27 July 2010 - 05:23 PM' timestamp='1280251425' post='727714']
Shocking. Given the short time/mileage they should be mint. Clearly a defective batch/materials/workmanship. Hopefully you will get satisfaction but if you don't, I think name and shame is a must.
[/quote]

Hi, looks dead simple to me; you've been sold very old / very high mileage units. And for some reason the seller managed to clean them up to look OK to kid both himself and you initially that they were " good " parts.

I would go for complete restitution of total costs for parts and labour content too and for your inconvenience; if the seller isn't willing to cough up £ I would report them to Trading Standards.

Can't have people doing this to LOC Members for heaven's sake !

Malc

New parts arrived today. I'm sure they are just reconned old parts. The ball joints on each arm were different from one another as were the gaiters.
I'm not going to refit them until I'm desperate. I'd rather buy new Lexus parts I think, but you get what you pay for I suppose.

Pete

[quote name='plastic orange' date='02 August 2010 - 10:11 PM' timestamp='1280783502' post='728289']
New parts arrived today. I'm sure they are just reconned old parts. The ball joints on each arm were different from one another as were the gaiters.
I'm not going to refit them until I'm desperate. I'd rather buy new Lexus parts I think, but you get what you pay for I suppose.

Pete
[/quote]
Are u able to tell us the supplier now?

A-Z motorspares on ebay were the sellers.

Pete

[quote name='plastic orange' date='04 August 2010 - 10:34 PM' timestamp='1280957657' post='728557']
A-Z motorspares on ebay were the sellers.

Pete
[/quote]
Duly noted, thank you.

[quote name='plastic orange' date='04 August 2010 - 10:34 PM' timestamp='1280957657' post='728557']
A-Z motorspares on ebay were the sellers.

Pete
[/quote]

oh ******.

I'll keep an eye on mine then...

Firstline parts are available on ebay, £72 per UCA, from my own experiance, they are really very well made replacement parts. I am quite sure they are new items, (if not who cares if i cant tell) They are consistent and hard wearing compared to the rubbish A-Z sold me for my Omega.

just a link to 97-01 parts..
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FCA6538-RH-Upper-Wishbone-Lexus-LS400-4-0i-32v-97-01-/120590765683?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1c13c50e73

I was looking to get a pair of [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FRONT-SUSPENSION-UPPER-WISHBONE-ARM-LS400-CELSIOR-V8-LH-/330358930704?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM"]THESE[/url].

Can you confirm that yours came from "A-Z motorspares" which is different from "AZCARPARTSUK" that supply the ones I'm looking at?

Thanks
Mike

I believe there the same place thats where i got mine from.

Same place - I would look at alternatives if I were you - or you could buy the ones I've just had replaced (not fitted)if you like - I'll take £100 including post. For a 99 model though.

Pete

get geneuine lexus and you'l be happy, expensive but you'll know they'll last, as soon as mine give out i'm off to lexus hedge end now i have a beter paying job