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 was £707 and labour £1722 + VAT = £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 dar-grey?

i await your replies

thanks

hi.
it's a 10 year old luxury car that cost 50k brand new. parts and labour on the vehicle are not going to be cheap by a long shot.

DHP was a UK dealer fit, so you'd either have to get the DHP springs from Lexus in the UK or replace all 4 springs with aftermarket springs like Eibach or H&R.

Front radius arms (are they control arms), front suspension bump stops can be obtained either from Lexus UK or Lexus USA. It can be cheaper to order from America.

Wheel bearings can be obtained from a motor factor. Don't need to go to Lexus for that.

Bonnet struts - again Lexus USA or Lexus UK or get universal struts and adapt them.

Use the search facility on here, and you will find all the answers you will ever need.

As regards the colour, my 96 LS400 is 2 tone black. The black is code 202, the other colour is described by Lexus as "complimentary" i.e. it does not have a code or colour description. The best I can suggest is that you go to a speed shop and look for the nearest colour to it. I found Rover Tempest Grey, its not exact but can't be spotted by a man on a galloping horse. Your grey might be a different shade. Paul