Ruud

I think those Audi Knight Rider style indicator lights are the dog's danglies

I posted a link up there ^^^ on how to remove the stereo on the 430. This also involves removing said wooden panel

18 hours ago, Chris Skelton said:

A butter knife! Very Downton! Never use an oyster knife! (-:

Only an unsalted butter knife though :)

Very easy to do yourself as well

I usually use a butter knife with some microfiber cloth

Yeah, once the panel is removed, I would push the switch back into place and put some superglue along the edges

This might help

http://www.sound-repair.com/index.php/lexus-ls430-01-06-stereo-removal-instructions/

I'm not sure how this works on the 430.

I bet google or youtube will have the info you need

I reckon you'll have to remove the wooden panel so you can have access to the back

See my post about the bottom ball joints.

I would get both replaced ASAP to avoid possible catastrophic failure

I'm used to the Ls400.

This new thingy doesn't have enough buttons on the dash

Congrats. Looks very nice.

Hope you have many miles of trouble free motoring

Now with the new ball joints fitted I can tell the warning signs from what I initially thought were down to something else.

- Steering was jerky/heavy at times. Like having lack of power steering fluid.

- Wheel wobble at 60-65mph. Like in need of balancing

- When hitting the brakes she pulled to the left. Like having a sticky caliper

All these issues are now gone.

1 hour ago, Farqui said:

Well done, was it a big job?

Not at all. About 30 minutes each side

That's it all fixed again.

2 new ball joints fitted and what a difference that made!!

I just took the driver's side ball joint off and it took me about 10 minutes. A couple of big blows with a rather large hammer and the ball joint just pops out

24 minutes ago, runsgrateasanut said:

£93.60 not at all unreasonable.  Having been shafted for over £600 for the parts for a Cam belt and water pump change with all other parts I'm loathe to to go lexus for a quote on parts. Wondering about Johns theory. above.  Must be a reason.

How difficult is it to change a lower ball joint? not that I really want to do it and spend time bending over a wheel arch.  The "back"  will object most vociferously! .

It's fairly simple. 2 bolts and 2 nuts and Bob's your uncle

29 minutes ago, runsgrateasanut said:

I don't know what an original part from toyta would cost Phil but I imagine very expensive.  I bought Sankei 555 which in this advert for an older Lexus looks better than the Beck Arnley.  Price via Oz Aus$122 each. Not cheap B&A are the onyl ones on Rock auto for the 92. http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/1992/lexus/ls400/suspension/ball_joint.html

Lexus wants £78 plus vat for a lower ball joint. Not that bad if you ask me

Here's a close-up of the ball.

No sign of any grease and a lot of 'crap' in there caused by a split rubber boot.

So check your rubber boots for splits guys. When dirt can get in they WILL fail. Genuine or not

Some pics after assessing damage.

The ball joint has just popped out of it's housing.

I don't have a clue how long it's been on. I have taken a pic of the writing on the part. It only says: u L

2 hours ago, steve2006 said:

You were very fortunate! There are usually some warning signs like suspension knocking or a failed MOT for excessive play/boot damage.

Genuine replacements were around £120.00 the pair a few years ago, once you get in there can you report back if it was a genuine part or a copy and perhaps a picture or two please.

MOT was done at the end of September. No advisories were added.

There was indeed a knock, but more obvious on the driver's side

Driving from home to the nearest shop (about 10 miles) Then suddenly a loud bang and left side of car going up and down like crazy.

Lower ball joint sheared right off.

Thanking everything under the sun this happened in a 30mph zone. Had it happened 5 minutes earlier, when I was doing 70mph, I might have not been able to sit here and type.

Driver's side wheel is sitting straight and the wing is right on the tyre

I have a satnav unit I don't need anymore

How many mpg are the LPG converted guys and gals getting?

On my last 3 tanks of LPG I'm getting an average of 42 mpg (converted)

I have a 1999 Celsior

When changing out the 501 LED park light bulbs I think I accidently shorted something.

What number fuse under the dash runs these lights?

1999 celsior