New Ls400 Owner

[ianlea73]

Hi all,I recently bought my first lexus & I bought the big'un.

I've always liked the look of them & finally took the plunge when my daily went pop.

It's an M reg with 180,000 miles on the clocks.Full service history up to 150,000 & plenty of receipts.It recently had a full service with cambelt change.

Interior is tidy enough with a few scuffs etc.I spent 5 hours on sunday cleaning,scrubbing & valeting the interior.

It does have a few issues,the power steering is leaking,bonnet dampers are shot ,the lcd display for the heater/clock doesn't show any digits,the cd changer in the boot doesn't read the disk & the glove box light doesn't work.Horrific amount of faults for a 20 year old car,right!!!

When I got the car it came with some brand new lowering springs imported from the states which I intend to fit.

My wheels are a bit scabby & have seen some great deals for 8.5 & 9.5 18's on eBay.Do you guys think these are good widths for an ls400?

Sorry no pics yet but I promise to get some up at the weekend.

Any info on any of my issues & the wheel sizes would be great in the meantime!

Hello again & I intend on being a regular on here.

[VijayA]

Welcome to the world of the LS400. Great cars that very rarely go wrong if they are maintained. With yours first thing I would attend to, like asap, is the power steering leak....fluid leaks down on to the alternator and thats the alternator gone too. Bonnet struts are not difficult to change and I think they can be regassed....someone with more knowledge will be able to confirm .....but anyway enjoy.

[ROYT]

As above, fix the power steering leak,often just an O ring.

Service kits are available.

Lcd display widely covered an LOC member can fix it.

Bonnet struts on amazon £35.

Make sure CD is correct side up, think opposite to normal player,can't remember for sure!

[steve2006]

Hello and welcome to the LOC.

Going from the faults you have a pre October 1994 LS400.

As other members have mentioned get the PS leak sorted as soon as possible, the normal cause is the O ring on the bottom of the reservoir and costs around £3.00 from Lexus.

The LCD screen again is a common problem and at one time RHD replacements were available from the USA but I haven't seen any for a while.

IIRC Chris Vince an LOC member can fix them using the LHD version and cross wiring.

For the bonnet struts aftermarket are as mentioned always on eBay or if you want your originals regassed there is a company called SGS engineering in Derby who will do this for you or supply replacements.

The CD changer has already been mentioned so check the discs are loaded into the cartridge playing side up not label side up.

The glovebox light only comes on when the lights are turned on,I would be very surprised if the bulb has actually gone in less than 20 years! :D

A good resource site for DIY repairs including those above is www.lexls.com just click on the tutorial section.

[ianlea73]

Thanks for all the replies.I'm going to tackle the power steering leak after work tomorrow as it's quite bad.good info on the CD changer I'll check that tomorrow too.

I just found a company through Google called cargasstruts.co.UK so ordered a pair for £39 posted.

What are a good width & offset for the rims.I've seen these & think they would suit wheel.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/18-ALLOY-WHEELS-TOYOTA-SUPRA-LEXUS-SOARER-GS300-LS400-LS430-SC300-MAZDA-RX7-RX8-/300973715801?pt=UK_CarParts_Acc_Wheels_tyres_Trims_Car_Rims_ET&fits=Car+Make%3ALexus&hash=item46136e7159

[Lexmanic]

Welcome enjoy your LS they are great motors

[IHgs300]

Welcome to the club.

[munday]

Those wheels you have linked to would work. One thing you have to be careful of is fouling the front calipers, but the earlier models like yours have smaller calipers so you will likely be fine.

What kind of look are you going for? If you want the wheels to sit flush you'd be best going for a lower offset or getting some spacers.

[Bluesbreaker]

ianlea73- welcome to the LOC, you've no doubt realised by now,your in good company,for obtaining first-hand advice regarding all things Lexus,some of the Members on this Forum,are very clued-up on these cars, as I have found,to my benefit!

Regarding your remarks on changing your wheel sizes,previous posters,have mentioned caliper- clearance,etc,when you get around to actually getting new/ different wheels for your LS, if you find,that you do need spacers,-I have a bagful of different-thickness ones,which fit the Lexus 5 -hole configuration,don't hesitate to contact me if they are needed.

[ianlea73]

Thanks for the warm welcome & good information.

Those wheels you have linked to would work. One thing you have to be careful of is fouling the front calipers, but the earlier models like yours have smaller calipers so you will likely be fine.

What kind of look are you going for? If you want the wheels to sit flush you'd be best going for a lower offset or getting some spacers.

When you mention lower offset do you mean a higher number,eg et44 or lower et12?

ianlea73- welcome to the LOC, you've no doubt realised by now,your in good company,for obtaining first-hand advice regarding all things Lexus,some of the Members on this Forum,are very clued-up on these cars, as I have found,to my benefit!
Regarding your remarks on changing your wheel sizes,previous posters,have mentioned caliper- clearance,etc,when you get around to actually getting new/ different wheels for your LS, if you find,that you do need spacers,-I have a bagful of different-thickness ones,which fit the Lexus 5 -hole configuration,don't hesitate to contact me if they are needed.

May take you up on that soon.

I've found a set of staggered alloys on a modified Supra for sale they are 18x9.5 et44 & 19x9.5 et44.

I will eventually get coilovers but for now I have Tanabe 50mm lowering springs.Do you think these wheels will fit in those sizes.The seller has some spacers I can trial fit to gain the right stance etc.

The eBay listing is just a shop so unable to test fit before buying so I have to 100% they will fit if the supra ones don't.

[munday]

Lower ET = lower offset = brings the face of the wheel out more

[marvs]

Hi all,I recently bought my first lexus & I bought the big'un.

I've always liked the look of them & finally took the plunge when my daily went pop.

It's an M reg with 180,000 miles on the clocks.Full service history up to 150,000 & plenty of receipts.It recently had a full service with cambelt change.

Interior is tidy enough with a few scuffs etc.I spent 5 hours on sunday cleaning,scrubbing & valeting the interior.

It does have a few issues,the power steering is leaking,bonnet dampers are shot ,the lcd display for the heater/clock doesn't show any digits,the cd changer in the boot doesn't read the disk & the glove box light doesn't work.Horrific amount of faults for a 20 year old car,right!!!

When I got the car it came with some brand new lowering springs imported from the states which I intend to fit.

My wheels are a bit scabby & have seen some great deals for 8.5 & 9.5 18's on ebay.Do you guys think these are good widths for an ls400?

Sorry no pics yet but I promise to get some up at the weekend.

Any info on any of my issues & the wheel sizes would be great in the meantime!

Hello again & I intend on being a regular on here.

Hi mate,

I'm in a similar boat to you, having also recently bought a '93 LS.

I have a very slight power steering leak, so I'm encouraged that the likely cause is just an O ring. Does anyone have the part number for the replacement? Is it an easy enough job for a DIYer?

Since I acquired mine I have:

• Replaced my bonnet struts (I bought mine from a Chinese eBay seller, as he was the only person I could find who sold struts for a decent price with the correct fixings already attached, as I didn't fancy the hassle of cutting the ball joints apart to fit generic struts)
• Replaced my climate control/clock LCD (a bit of a daunting task for only my second ever attempt at soldering, but I did it and I'm pleased with the result. I got the LCD from the states. Let me know if you want the details)
• Fixed the fuel guage reading incorrectly (replacing a couple of capacitors on the instrument panel PCB)
• Fixed the half-lit needles problem on my fuel & speedo dials (quite a fiddly fix involving super glue and conductive paint/glue!)
• Fixed a 'sticky' dials issue on my speedo & tacho (they'd stick at zero for a few minutes after startup, again a fiddly fix!)
• Cleared an airbag warning light
• Patched up my 'grotty flanges' in my exhaust cats
• Replaced an electric window switch
• Refurbed the rear door open/closed sensors
• Replaced a few interior bulbs, including the glove box light (I used LEDs but other people here have had bad experiences using LEDs so beware. Mine on the other hand have been fine)
• ...and finally... I'm part way through getting a leaky air con pipe fixed (well, I've removed it from the car, and need to find someone that'll patch it up!)

Out of interest, how much are the wheels you're looking at on eBay?

[Bluesbreaker]

Thanks for the warm welcome & good information.

Those wheels you have linked to would work. One thing you have to be careful of is fouling the front calipers, but the earlier models like yours have smaller calipers so you will likely be fine.

What kind of look are you going for? If you want the wheels to sit flush you'd be best going for a lower offset or getting some spacers.

When you mention lower offset do you mean a higher number,eg et44 or lower et12?

ianlea73- welcome to the LOC, you've no doubt realised by now,your in good company,for obtaining first-hand advice regarding all things Lexus,some of the Members on this Forum,are very clued-up on these cars, as I have found,to my benefit!

Regarding your remarks on changing your wheel sizes,previous posters,have mentioned caliper- clearance,etc,when you get around to actually getting new/ different wheels for your LS, if you find,that you do need spacers,-I have a bagful of different-thickness ones,which fit the Lexus 5 -hole configuration,don't hesitate to contact me if they are needed.

May take you up on that soon.

I've found a set of staggered alloys on a modified Supra for sale they are 18x9.5 et44 & 19x9.5 et44.

I will eventually get coilovers but for now I have Tanabe 50mm lowering springs.Do you think these wheels will fit in those sizes.The seller has some spacers I can trial fit to gain the right stance etc.

The eBay listing is just a shop so unable to test fit before buying so I have to 100% they will fit if the supra ones don't.

Always a good idea,to trial fit,before committing to buying,the LS front calipers are huge,-not much clearance between caliper-body and wheel rim.

[ianlea73]

Okay again no pics yet but the weather has been rubbish here.

Tonight I fitted my new bonnet struts & sorted my power steering leak.I also tried to check my spark plugs but couldn't remove the HT lead from the top of the plug.Are mine seized on or is there a clever Lexus only trick to get them off?

I also thought it wise to check & clean my front brakes as I'm going on my first long distance voyage on Saturday to Birmingham.

I cleaned the disks & pads then applied copper slip to the pads. On the drives side I had both little triangular spring clips missing that clip into both sides of the pads,are these vital.I still have a squeal on heavy braking,any ideas?

Was going to lower the car tonight ready for my wheel test figment on Saturday but I thought better of it as the lower shock bolts on the rear looked very crusty so I just sprayed with wd40 ready for another day.

I really hope the 18. & 19's fit with no hassle but with an et of 44 I should be fine.

[Rupert Dubreaux]

Hi Steve sounds like you have been busy , the part number for the power steering pump reservoir O ring is 90301-12003 cheaper from a Toyota garage rather than Lexus.

If you could put up the details of where you sourced the temp and time LCD it would be welcome. I bought one from the States, unfortunately it was a left hand drive version .

[marvs]

Thanks for the part # Rupert. I've emailed the guy (in the States) who supplied the LCD to check whether he's got any more stock, and that he's happy for me to post his details on here. I'll keep you updated.

Ian, how easy was the power steering leak fix? Was yours just the o ring problem?

[Rupert Dubreaux]

Hi Ian , on two of my cars it was just the reservoir O ring ,on the Mk2 some of the other seals were shot also .Nine times out of ten I think the reservoir O ring is the culprit , which is easier to replace on the Mk2 than later cars , the Lexls power steering pump removal tutorial shows the reservoir and O ring you need to replace. http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/steering/pspumpremoval.html

You just need to siphon the fluid from the reservoir then remove the three bolts ,fairly easy if you have the right tools ,use some rag or paper towel to avoid the mess they made in the tutorial.

Good luck fixing your leak .

Will wait to hear if you can supply the LCD details.

[Rupert Dubreaux]

Sorry Ian for hijacking your thread ,above post should be for Marvs.

Sorry about that gaff Steve I will blame it on the man flu I am suffering with at present .

[Parrot of Doom]

I've recently repaired a power steering leak on my mk4 (1998), corroded pipes between the reservoir, pump and front of the engine (cooling). Worth considering.

[Rupert Dubreaux]

I've recently repaired a power steering leak on my mk4 (1998), corroded pipes between the reservoir, pump and front of the engine (cooling). Worth considering.

Did you have to remove the bumper to get to the pipe ? it looks a bit of squeeze to get in there otherwise . The cooling pipe on my Mk2 is weeping ,so will have to fix it soon.

[Parrot of Doom]

Had to remove the airbox and push the reservoir out of the way. It would have been a simple job were it not for the part of the pipe that runs down the side of the engine.

[Rupert Dubreaux]

Thanks for that info , I might have a go at it this weekend if the rain holds off and I feel better .

[Parrot of Doom]

The long u-shaped pipe on mine looks crusty as hell but I'm not paying Lexus prices for that, I'm going to a local transmission specialist and they can make me one - it's only a bent pipe.

You should repair yours as soon as you can, you never know when that weep will turn into a raging torrent (which of course ends up on the road, and oil + water + winter + asphalt = lethal)

[ManicMark]

The long u-shaped pipe on mine looks crusty as hell but I'm not paying Lexus prices for that, I'm going to a local transmission specialist and they can make me one - it's only a bent pipe.

You should repair yours as soon as you can, you never know when that weep will turn into a raging torrent (which of course ends up on the road, and oil + water + winter + asphalt = lethal)

A bit of copper tube from your local friendly plumber will do the job just as well.

[Rupert Dubreaux]

I guessed the Lexus price would be something silly , my brother in law has supplied me with one and half metre's of 10mm copper pipe which I hope will do the job . Mine is pretty scabby and has been weeping fluid for about six months ,as you say better to get it sorted before it blows .