hi - i have a 1998 ls400 mk4 with the DHP - it is in black with the usual gold badges and grill - just done over 61k

i had a major service carried out at 60k (NOT from lexus dealer but a local mechanic) at a cost of £540 including parts (timing belt replaced as well)

however, i am experiencing firstly a very hard ride and secondly a rubbing/grinding noise from the front

rather than waste my money by going to local mechanics who would have been guessing night and day, i paid the local lexus dealership £60 who carried out a 30 minute diagnostic

they came back with a number of faults and their price for parts labour including VAT was £2429

i know this amount is ridiculous so i need your help in firstly helping me to source these parts either within the UK or overseas and secondly to find a genuine bonafide specialist within the yorkshire area (preferably west yorkshire)

the faults are as follows:

- rear coil springs (pair) as o/s/r broken [i need the DHP springs]

- front radius arms

- front suspension bump stops

- n/s/f wheel bearing

- both bonnet struts

also as you are aware the ls400's are 2-tone, i.e. for my vehicle the colour is black but the bumpers and sides are a dark grey - any idea where i could find the colour code for this dark-grey?

i await your replies

thanks

Hi

Welcome to LOC

Right...

Rear springs... I'd try ebay or one of the web sites where you can email lots of breakers to get second hand ones, its unusual to hear of one breaking so you should be OK with second hand ones

Front radius arms... I presume they mean the front wishbones these are a common fault and the cheapest way is from the states, do a search on hear for wishbones and you will find the details.

Front bump stops.... they are probably just a bit perished and Lexus are being fussey... I'd leave them alone unless they are actually missing....

N/S/F Wheel bearing.... motor factors

Bonnet struts.... sgs engineering or ebay... again do a search on boot struts as I posted a thread about a company that can regas them...

You won't need a Lexus specialist to do any of those they are all very straightforward, just need a bit of work on your part to get all the bits nice and cheap... if you can't find the above info from searches on here let me know and I'll look later, I'm a bit pushed for time at the moment...

Good Luck and don't worry, all that lot will be much much cheaper than you have been quoted...


Pete