Parts for your 2020 Lexus Is-Control arms

2020 Lexus IS control arms: purpose, maintenance and replacement

Control arms are absolutely used on the 2020 Lexus IS. Technical sources including the Lexus Australia MY20 IS specifications and the Toyota/Lexus IS (XE30) repair manual note a double‑wishbone front suspension and multi‑link rear. That setup employs upper and lower control arms up front, with multiple control arms/links at the rear, each carrying bushings and ball joints to manage wheel location and alignment under load.

On a 2020 Lexus IS, control arms keep the wheels precisely located as the suspension moves, so the car steers cleanly, rides smoothly, and wears tyres evenly. The arms pivot on bushings and connect to the hub via ball joints, controlling camber and caster changes through bumps, cornering and braking. That’s how the IS gets its tidy turn‑in and planted feel without rattles or twitchiness.

Because the bushings and ball joints are wearable items, they should be inspected during routine servicing. A good rule of thumb is to check for play, torn or leaking hydro‑bushes, cracked rubber, or rust at every 20,000 km or annually—more often if the car sees rough roads, kerb strikes, or track days. Typical service life varies widely, from about 80,000 to 150,000+ km, depending on conditions and driving style.

If symptoms show up—clunks over bumps, vague steering, uneven inner or outer tyre wear, shudder under braking, or the car tramlining—get the front upper/lower arms and rear multi‑link arms assessed. Many owners choose complete arm assemblies for ease and longevity, while others press in quality bushings if the arm itself is sound. Sticking with OEM‑grade parts maintains the Lexus cabin hush, firmer performance bushings can sharpen response but may add a bit of NVH.

Replacement tips for a tidy result:

• Replace arms in axle pairs where practical to keep handling balanced.
• Tighten arm bolts at normal ride height to avoid preloading new bushings.
• Use new one‑time‑use hardware where specified in the Lexus repair manual.
• Always perform a four‑wheel alignment afterwards and reset steering angle calibration if required.

Done right, fresh control arms restore that crisp Lexus IS steering and protect those pricey tyres, while keeping the car compliant enough for the daily commute across Aussie and Kiwi roads.

Popular questions

Does the 2020 Lexus IS have control arms?
Yes. The 2020 IS uses a double‑wishbone front suspension with upper and lower control arms, plus a multi‑link rear that incorporates multiple control arms/links. This design helps deliver precise handling and stable braking.

How often should control arm bushings or ball joints be replaced?
There’s no fixed interval. Inspect at least every 20,000 km or annually, and replace when there’s play, torn bushings, noise, or alignment issues. Many cars see well over 100,000 km before needing arms, but road conditions and driving style make a big difference.

Do you need a wheel alignment after replacing control arms?
Absolutely. Any arm or bushing change alters alignment. Get a full four‑wheel alignment and have the steering angle recalibrated if required so the stability systems behave properly and tyres wear evenly.