Lube Is is a good idea to get our Skylark lubed? The oil is clean but what about things like boots, ball joints, A arms, struts? This car only has 25K on it and has been garaged its whole life. We are dreadfully ignorant of such things but want to continue to give the car a good life. Thanks for any help you can give.

when you rotate the tires and their is no change check the c/v axle -and hub 25k is not considered new have changed hubs that have gone bad at 10k -look into ball joints,upper lower bushings ,tie rod,struts the latter can cause vibration but usually at all speeds

According to Autozone.com, you must replace the whole control arm. Here is their procedure:
NOTE do not begin the removal procedure unless a new strut-to-lower arm nut, a new ball joint pinch bolt/nut and a new lower arm-to-front subframe bolt/nut are available.

1. Remove or disconnect the following:
   NOTE
   Do not use a hammer to separate the ball joint from the front wheel hub and spindle.
   
   
   
   WheelsLower arm strut nut and dished washer. Discard them.
   
2. Place the steering wheel in the unlocked position.
   NOTE
   Do not allow the halfshaft to move outward. Over-extension of the halfshaft joint could result in separation of internal parts, causing failure of the halfshaft joint.
   
3. Remove or disconnect the following:
   NOTE
   Use extreme care to not damage the ball joint boot seal.
   
   
   
   Lower arm ball joint nut and pinch bolt. Discard them.Lower arm from the front wheel knuckle
   
   
   
   Remove and discard the lower arm-to-front subframe bolt and nutRemove the lower arm from the vehicleTo install:
   
   1. Install or connect the following:
      
      Lower arm strut into the lower arm rear strut bushingLower arm into the front sub-frame bracketNew lower arm-to-front subframe nut and bolt. While holding the lower arm horizontal, tighten to 85-97 ft. lbs. (115-132 Nm).Ball joint stud-to-wheel hub and spindle, making sure that the ball stud groove is properly positioned.New lower arm ball joint pinch bolt and nut. Tighten to 46-52 ft. lbs. 62-71 Nm).
   2. Clean the lower arm strut threads to remove dirt and contamination.
   3. Install the dished washer with the dished side away from the lower arm rear strut bushing.
   4. Install the front suspension lower arm strut-to-strut nut and tighten to 85-97 ft. lbs. (115-142 Nm).
   5. Install the wheels.
   6. Lower the vehicle.

Take the wheel off, secure strut to lower frame with a strong piece of rope, place a jack under the sway bar, jack up slightly, that will hold the strut from lowering anymore via the link from the sway arm to the strut (reason for the rope securing the strut is it will swing out towards you when the lower control arm is removed), saturate all the bolts with a good penatrating oil [Liquid Wrench = Good Stuff] remove the nut from the lower ball joint stud, spray on more penatrating oil where stud goes through spindle, hit the spindle with a good size hammer where the ball joint stud goes through the spindle (always hit what it goes through), give it several hard sharp raps from the sides, then hit downward on the lower control arm with hammer, most of the time the stud will come right out, if not, put nut back on ball joint stud just until the stud is flush with the top of the nut, since you can not hit directly on the top of stud, get a good sized wrench to go across the stud and hit downward on either side of the wrench, holding other end with your other hand, if the ball joint does not come out now, hit the spindle from the sides some more HARD, then hit downward on control arm, if it still does not come loose you will have to get (or rent) a spreader (Pickle Fork) to separate the ball joint from the spindle, then remove the two bolts from the lower frame, slide lower control arm out.

The struts on these cars do not connect directly to the control arm. The connect to the knuckle then to the control arm where it is attached by two bolts.Then the knuckle is attached to the control arm through the ball joint. The only thing I can possibly think of that can become "dislodged" is the ball joint.
#4 on this diagram is the ball joint
#5 is the control arm #3 is the knuckle and of course #8 is the strut.



Hope this helps.

it could be several problems but you can easily trouble shoot them. first ensure there has been a greese job done recently and it will help eliminate the ball joints and tie rod ends. the other culprit is the strut top. you may be able to trouble shoot this by spraying silicone/lube in around the top of the strut either from the top or bottom. you can do this with the ball joints and tie rod as long as you use a good lube(not wd40) check the boots for cracks (source for water ingestion). Hope this helps

Hi.

I use one of these and it does the trick every time. You can get them at the local parts store for about 20 bucks. You have to be very careful not to rip the boot on the ball joint when you are using this though. You place it between the knuckle and the ball joint and hammer away. It will pop it out after a good working. I hope this helps!! Thanks!!

It could be several things.

1. Strut is worn and the rod is rattling.
2. The ball joint or control arm are worn. A new control arm comes with the ball joint and a new bushing.
3. The inner and/or tie rod end is worn, allowing the wheel to rattle.

Raise the car and support it. Twist the wheel back and forth while observing the tie rod. Look for play in the inner and outer connections. If this is ok, place a pry bar under the tire and lift up while observing the ball joint and control arm. You should not see any play. Look at the strut. Look for oil on the housing. Look for play in the rod or a loose connection.

Please be mindful to carefully note the position of the old parts as you disassemble the suspension, then follow these steps to do the re-installation:

REMOVAL

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.

2. Raise and safely support the vehicle.

3. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.

4. Remove and discard the tension strut-to-control arm nut, then pull off the dished washer.

When separating the control arm from the steering knuckle, do not use a hammer. Be careful not to damage the ball joint boot seal.

5. Remove and discard the control arm-to-steering knuckle pinch bolt. Using a small prybar, spread the pinch joint slightly, then separate the control arm from the steering knuckle. A drift punch may be used to remove the bolt, but be very careful not to damage the ball joint boot seal.

Do not allow the halfshaft to move outward, or the tripod CV-joint internal parts could separate, causing failure of the joint.

6. Remove and discard the lower control arm inner pivot bolt and nut.

7. Remove the lower control arm from the frame and the tension strut.

INSTALLATION

Make sure the front washer is at the strut-to-lower control arm attachment.

8. Insert the strut into the inner bushing.

9. Position the lower control arm into the subframe bracket, using a new nut and bolt. Tighten to 73-97 ft. lbs. (98-132 Nm).

10. Assemble the lower control arm ball joint stud to the steering knuckle, making sure the ball stud groove is positioned properly. Be very careful not to damage the lower control arm seal.

11. Insert a new pinch bolt and nut, then tighten to 40-53 ft. lbs. (53-72 Nm).

12. Clean the strut threads to remove dirt and/or debris.

13. Install the dished washer, with its dished side away from the control arm bushing. Install a new nut on the strut and tighten to 73-97 ft. lbs. (98-132 Nm).

14. Install the wheel and tire assembly, tightening the lug nuts to 85-105 ft. lbs. (115-142 Nm), then carefully lower the vehicle.

I hope this helps.

oil change and lube, should get that taken care of, and if not, they should be able to see if there is anything else to do, most cases anyways.. good luck, great little car!

you take of the tierod nut,the lower ball joint nut and unbolt the ball joint. you may have to use a puller for the tierod and ball joint pivet shaft.yhe upper control arm has two bolts on the inner part. if you loosen the three strut nuts on top of strut the spring and strut asy will drop alittle so you can pull out the control arm bolts. then you need to take the outer pivot nut off and remove arm.not to hard if you look at it good.parts are reather high for the arm.good luck. let me know if you have any questions. i worked at lexus for 13 years.