Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Lower Ball Joint Rotational Check
Remove lower ball joint. On SC300 and SC400 models, lower control arm must be removed. See LOWER CONTROL ARM & BALL JOINT under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Clamp ball joint in vise. Move stud back and forth 5 times through its entire range. Install nut. Using INCH-lb. torque wrench, rotate stud at rate of 2-4 seconds per turn. Measure rotating torque on fifth turn. On 1997 SC300, 1997 SC400 and ES300 models, replace ball joint if rotating torque is not 9-30 INCH lbs. (1.0-3.4 N.m). On 1997 LS400, specification should be 0-4.3 INCH lbs. (0-1.5 N.m). On 1997 GS300, specification should be 0.9-17 INCH lbs. (0.1-2.0 N.m). On 1998 SC300 and 1998 SC400 5-31 INCH lbs. (0.5-3.5 N.m). On 1998 LS400 9-21.7 INCH lbs. (1-2.5 N.m). On 1998 GS300 and 1998 GS400 .9-26 INCH lbs. (.1-3 N.m). On 1998 ES300 8.7-30 INCH lbs. (1-3.4 N.m)
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.