pishta

It still works.

Im looking into this too, a bloke in OZ did his SC400 UCA's with Holden V8 (Pontiac GTO in USA) ball joints. I know they are different parts than on the Mk1 LS400 but to have a serviceable ball joint just makes sense. But $200 US (and free shipping in US!) for the pair of new UCA's with new bushings too almost makes this not worth while.

Check this site out.. http://search.ebscohost.com/ Enter "user" and "password" in the fields and scroll down to the bottom ARRC link, then put in your year and model, lots of free info in the LS400. Almost seems like you are hacking into a pay site, but I think it is a US high school database.

Pull the calipers and use 2 c-clamps over the old shoes, pop the cover of your master cylinder and start compressing. The pistons will retract and then you can put in the new shoes. Works for me...

The UCA joint has been bad on my car since its 63000M check up and Im now on 94 (bought at 93k) itll just get annoying making a racket over the smallest bumps. O2 sensors will throw a code if any are bad. You can change them, but I dont think they will make much difference. I would get the injectors cleaned, with 2 or 3 tanks of cleaner and then proffessionally if that doesnt help any. And of course, replace the air cleaner. Bad mileage can also be attributed to a clogged catalytic converter, they usually have a lifespan of about 7 years. White smoke on start means valve guides, expensive and not really a motor killer, just a nuisance. Dont know about TRAC light. Do you all have a product called SeaFoam over there? Its a multi-purpose highly refined oil (naptha I think) that you put in the tank, in the oil and in the intake. Its supposed to clean the sludge out of the oil (change after a few days) condition the gas and clean the injectors, and mostly, clean the intake valves and combustion chambers. You suck 4 oz. into your intake by the power brake vacuum hose, turn off for 5-10 minutes, and then start it up to a fast idle. Itll blow smoke like a rocket taking off, but then itll mellow out. People swear by it for reducing knock, off idle stumble and crappy idle. A little oil on the motor is not going to hurt anything, just keep your fluids topped off and dont let it become a hazard. Good luck.