'Official HOUSTON thread'
02-03-2015, 01:59 AM
02-06-2015, 11:57 AM
Suzuka Master
The following 2 users liked this post by truonghthe:
EvilVirus (02-10-2015),
MC MiYoung3269 (02-07-2015)
02-06-2015, 01:39 PM
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
crabs loves frogs
02-08-2015, 08:50 AM
Chapter Leader (Houston)
iTrader: (7)
Sup H town! Haven't been much action on here but a bunch of members are requesting an OG meet. Any ideas? If not I'll throw a BBQ/ garage day sometime next month when I get a little warmer.
The following 4 users liked this post by sng35:
The following users liked this post:
EvilVirus (02-27-2015)
02-28-2015, 12:27 PM
Cruisin'
Breakdown for my TL
I had an awesome breakdown last night off Mason rd. Pulled into the parking lot behind seafood to geaux and my ball joint and axle snapped.
The best part about all this? Just got it back from John Eagle last week for repairs and I asked them to inspect the suspension, which they (supposedly) did and I have green checks on the paperwork, and somehow they missed a worn ball joint...
On the plus side, at least it didn't happen on I-10 while moving faster or with my kids in the car!
03-02-2015, 08:17 AM
Drifting
Damn, good thing it happened as you were pulling into a lot. Could've ended a lot worse....
03-02-2015, 11:55 AM
Suzuka Master
ouch, at least it happened in parking lot, BTW I saw you several time by Eldrige and north dairy asford.
03-02-2015, 01:35 PM
Here I come!
Thread Starter
Happened to me twice and both times under 10 mph while making a turn. I've seen other cases too and they were going slow as well. I guess that's when it has the most pressure on that ball joint.
03-03-2015, 07:20 AM
Cruisin'
Truongthe, do you drive another car? I haven't seen a red TL floating around here yet. When you seen me by Eldrige, I worked for Foster Wheeler in the office on the corner of Eldridge and I-10.
Houston - that's nuts that this happened to you twice! How many miles did you have on it when that happened? I'm at 86K, and my first thought was to figure out if there is a common lifespan for when the ball joints go. In the future, I'd prefer to just replace these both before they get close to going out - what a headache.
Houston - that's nuts that this happened to you twice! How many miles did you have on it when that happened? I'm at 86K, and my first thought was to figure out if there is a common lifespan for when the ball joints go. In the future, I'd prefer to just replace these both before they get close to going out - what a headache.
03-03-2015, 08:49 AM
Suzuka Master
^^^I do drive my TL to work sometimes but I spend most of my time in a black IS300. When I was in my TL when I saw you traveling opposite direction (I went south and you are heading north) I believe at the time you still have out of state plate and the car is spotless. BTW about the ball joins is there any sign or symptoms before it gave out? (probably not since I drove lexus and I should know better lol). I also like to ask is your TL hit any major pot hole since you moved to Houston? Bellaire blvd already claimed my TL front suspension. Who is your advisor at john eagle? mine is Eric Spence and he pretty much floor once I showed him the TSB and repair manual but he is a good guy not throwing alot of BS at you.
03-04-2015, 06:43 AM
Cruisin'
You definitely have good vision. I bought the car in Illinois while I was working at the BP refinery in Whiting on a short term assignment. I still had the Illinois plates on the car for a few months when I got back.
I haven't hit any pot holes - at least nothing I can recall being significant. There were signs the ball joint was going although at the time, I didn't know it was the ball joint. It started with a really faint squeaky noise when turning then started to become more of a squeal that became intermittent. I initially thought it was a tie rod going bad but couldn't figure it out or confirm it on my own. I described this to both the service advisor, Andres, and to the technician when I had the car in the shop after my radiator cracked. They came back and said my suspension looked in good shape but my power steering pump was leaking? I have 86K on it so, if you guys are close to that number I recommend getting your ball joints inspected. My adjuster called yesterday with an early estimate of a little under 3k in damage - sheared ball joint, broken axle, damaged lower control arm, fender, side skirt, wheel well plastics and various clips, a tire, and pending further inspection of the bumper and rim.
I'm not a technician but I've had the opportunity to see a lot of cars get worked on after having been a service advisor myself while I was in school and I've never seen or heard of a ball joint shearing off the way mine did. I've seen them break before but mine is excessive as far as I've seen.
Oh and I'm driving a ford focus rental and it's a heap. I want my TL back
I haven't hit any pot holes - at least nothing I can recall being significant. There were signs the ball joint was going although at the time, I didn't know it was the ball joint. It started with a really faint squeaky noise when turning then started to become more of a squeal that became intermittent. I initially thought it was a tie rod going bad but couldn't figure it out or confirm it on my own. I described this to both the service advisor, Andres, and to the technician when I had the car in the shop after my radiator cracked. They came back and said my suspension looked in good shape but my power steering pump was leaking? I have 86K on it so, if you guys are close to that number I recommend getting your ball joints inspected. My adjuster called yesterday with an early estimate of a little under 3k in damage - sheared ball joint, broken axle, damaged lower control arm, fender, side skirt, wheel well plastics and various clips, a tire, and pending further inspection of the bumper and rim.
I'm not a technician but I've had the opportunity to see a lot of cars get worked on after having been a service advisor myself while I was in school and I've never seen or heard of a ball joint shearing off the way mine did. I've seen them break before but mine is excessive as far as I've seen.
Oh and I'm driving a ford focus rental and it's a heap. I want my TL back
03-04-2015, 10:47 AM
Suzuka Master
My brother has a similar issues with his GS300 back in 2011 and yes it has similar damage you described but being RWD there isn't drive shaft need to be replaced. Squeaky noise at low speed turning or during park? Or the car is moving 20mph above? We can meet up some time.
Last edited by truonghthe; 03-04-2015 at 10:49 AM.
03-06-2015, 04:17 PM
Here I come!
Thread Starter
The lifespan of the ball joints really depends on driving conditions; the amount of turns, rate of speed during turns, angle of wheel while turning, impact from road bumps/pot holes, etc. If you plan on replacing them, go with Moog. I believe the stock is a 12mm bolt while the Moog is 14mm. Since they are made to last for years, I would say change them every 6 years or so depending on your driving conditions. The moogs are like $50 a piece, but labor might be a bit pricey depending on where you take it.
03-09-2015, 09:58 PM
Whats up Houston! So our crew is trying to win a contest for the upcoming All Team Bash meet, if you could take the few seconds and like a photo of our group so we can win vip parking and bragging rights, we greatly appreciate. Also, definitely check us out. A lot of you are probably already members but always good to reach out! Thanks (not sure if this was posted already) we represent state wide so be sure to check us out!
TXTL... we have a private facebook page for members only, a fan page, and instagram! #Tx_TL
TXTL... we have a private facebook page for members only, a fan page, and instagram! #Tx_TL
03-11-2015, 02:09 PM
Here I come!
Thread Starter
***furious 7*** car meet
What's up fellas? The Houston crew has been MIA for a minute. I say we put Houston back on the A-zine map and get something going. ....and what better way then with a "race car" movie! 
It starts on 4/3, but we all know it'll be hectic on a Friday night, so 4/4 would be best. Before I start a thread, show of hands?
It starts on 4/3, but we all know it'll be hectic on a Friday night, so 4/4 would be best. Before I start a thread, show of hands?
03-11-2015, 08:05 PM
Itz JDM y0!
What's up fellas? The Houston crew has been MIA for a minute. I say we put Houston back on the A-zine map and get something going. ....and what better way then with a "race car" movie! It starts on 4/3, but we all know it'll be hectic on a Friday night, so 4/4 would be best. Before I start a thread, show of hands?
It starts on 4/3, but we all know it'll be hectic on a Friday night, so 4/4 would be best. Before I start a thread, show of hands?
03-13-2015, 06:24 PM
who drives a Black plasti-dipped TL-S in Houston? looked pretty damn
03-17-2015, 01:29 PM
Here I come!
Thread Starter
Where the fk is everybody at? We finally have some decent weather and a finale to the FF series and nobody's down?
03-17-2015, 05:42 PM
Instructor
Can anyone recommend a shop to do the 105K mile service? I would consider doing it myself but I'm not sure I am up to the DIY, plus I have a broken bone in my foot that may require surgery and 105 is coming up fast.
Thanks.
Thanks.
The following 2 users liked this post by ScottayHiFive:
EvilVirus (03-18-2015),
MC MiYoung3269 (03-21-2015)
03-23-2015, 04:22 PM
Moderator
Anyone done a driving school at MSR or TWS? Coworker is wanting to get his BRZ on the track.
TWS seems like the better deal: 300 for 2 days vs MSR at 500/half day.
TWS seems like the better deal: 300 for 2 days vs MSR at 500/half day.
03-23-2015, 06:57 PM
Moderator
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^ yeah, but that $50 day is like three or four 90 second runs. Dollar for dollar, maybe check out an open track day at Grandsport or one of the other nearby tracks. For a couple hundred he can drive at least four 15 or 20 minute sessions. Plus you can probably take a couple ride alongs in between sessions. He'll be exhausted by the end of the day from pounding corners. After SCCA SOLO you're usually tired from sun-stroking.
03-24-2015, 11:30 AM
Here I come!
Thread Starter
***furious 7*** car meet
Well, here's the info for the car meet/s for anybody that is interested:
Thursday 04/02/15
https://www.facebook.com/events/837664636302069/
Friday 04/03/15
https://www.facebook.com/events/676501382458875/
Saturday 04/04/15 (Cruise only)
https://www.facebook.com/events/493011187503718/
I might go to Thursday's showing since I'll be off on Friday, but I guess it'll depend on who else is down to go and when they're available. Anybody down to roll, PM me.
Thursday 04/02/15
https://www.facebook.com/events/837664636302069/
Friday 04/03/15
https://www.facebook.com/events/676501382458875/
Saturday 04/04/15 (Cruise only)
https://www.facebook.com/events/493011187503718/
I might go to Thursday's showing since I'll be off on Friday, but I guess it'll depend on who else is down to go and when they're available. Anybody down to roll, PM me.
03-24-2015, 05:01 PM
Moderator
Thanks guys. I pointed him to SCCA to get some simple track time under his belt before jumping in full scale on a track. Will let him know about Grandsport, too. Didn't know about that one.
