brendangeorge

Hi Martin I see you are receiving plenty of advice about the mirrors - mine often stick in the cold weather - plenty of WD40 often works. I had a new boot lid under warrant and it seemed to be a lot heavier than the original. My struts failed not long after - I replaced them but the heavy lid seems to defeat the new new ones as well. I'd be interested how you get on - my bonnet struts don't seem as stiff as they used to be (I have some sympathy with them) but they have lasted since 2002 and 250K miles. The parking sensors can be a pain - chipped paint = duff sensor usually because water gets into the ultrasonic transducer. I have one that does not like cold weather so always beeps first thing on a cold day - not it is not caused by crap on it. I buy them on AliBaBa in China - last time they were $25 plus shipping (very cheap) - there are two types of sensor. The ones on either side of the number plate are bigger but easy to fit. The small ones at the front are a pain - wheel arch cover off. The rear sensors survive well because they are not battered by the weather so much. Good luck Bren

The best part of this item is will post to the United Kingdom :) I'd like to see Postie get it through my letter box. This looks a much better option hummmm? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-LEXUS-LS430-AUTO-PALADIO-SILVER-RUSHMORE-LEATHER-NO-RESERVE-STUNNING-CAR/361347046611?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140122125356%26meid%3Decac472431cd445890cd1a6a441e36fc%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D281768564435 Bren

The only problem with the legal cover that comes with your policy is the insurance company will not care about you only their liabilities. They will not care that your premium goes up - also PNCB is almost fraud because the discount is applied after they set the premium :) Alway buy your legal insurance seperately so it is for you not your policy - this sounds a litte daft but think about this. You have a crash your car is bent and you are injured so need to persue a personal injury claim will the legal protection help? Probably not because the insurer is only interested in its liability that is assciated with the car i.e. getting that fixed so making sure you have a lawyer to take care of that. They will not care about your compo for aan injury. I often quote Honest John and this is one of his best pieces of advice - also it is cheaper than when you buy it with your car insurance. Good luck and I hope I am wrong. Bren

No probs Amber - any safety kit that is on the car must function or it will fail the MOT. As long as the headlamp alignment is in spec, for the test, it will pass because they won't test the leveling mechanism. So spare the tyre, all those old bags of cement and the dead bodies (from when I was a hitman) will need to be unloaded for the next MOT :) Cheers Bren

Thanks mate I will check it out Bren The War Dept. has just returned with the car. On checking, the LH footwell middle fuse second row from the top is shown as 'H-LP LVL', & as it is missing it's fair guess it's the one I pulled :) Thanks Stuart - I will have a look at this - the red triangle gets on my nerves. :) Bren

Sue the person who ramed you in order to recover all of your uninsured losses is your only recourse. The actuaries deal in stats not you as a person so .... rant away mate but get down the small claims court after - don't forget to claim for that time as well. Good luck Bren

There are people who fix ecu systems - have a look on Honest John's Web Site - don't buy a new one unless you are really sure. I'm with Colin - I would look elsewhere first. Bren

Hi I am not sure how the ride height sensors can affect the attitude of the car without the air suspension system (that I removed). I expect the ride height sensors alter the headlamp angle. I'll check with the garage, when I go in next week, about the MOT. However, one of my rear ride height sensors has been duff and wired in place for a couple of years and it did not affect the performance of the car because the air struts where on the way out - and the car passed the MOT without problem. I'll let you know what happens. Cheers Bren

Thanks mate I will check it out Bren

Good point on the headlight levelers. Every since I had the compressor removed I have had a ride height high error - I expect the sensors need to be locked in place and all be in the same position because there is nothing to connect them to mechanically now.. I'll check with the guys at the garage tomorrow when they look at my yaw sensor fault - I have a check VSC light on when I roll. Without the VSC it is very easy to 'light up' the back tyres especially when it is a little damp :). Cheers Bren

You may want to try Rock Auto in the US - sounds daft but there are a lot of cheap parts available because people are clearing warehouses - I got some great deals on 430 parts even with shipping. Don't be put off my daft low prices - if it is a wareehouse clearence. Cheers Bren

I've only just seen this reply, thanks for the info, it's something I'm definitely considering. Have you got the link for the US supplier, and am I right in saying the rear seat removal was the longest job? Hi Phil This was the item I bought http://www.ebay.com/itm/261311197422?item=261311197422&viewitem=&vxp=mtr Touring Tech Air Bag Conversion The reseller was Active Distribution and they have an ebay shop. http://stores.ebay.com/Active-Distribution-Store?_trksid=p2047675.l2563 and they still have them: http://stores.ebay.com/Active-Distribution-Store/_i.html?_nkw=Touring+Tech+2001-2006+LS430+Air+Suspension+Air+Bag+Conversion+&submit=Search&_sid=24147399 Don't forget to haggle :) I am not sure if the back seat has to come out but I did find the instructions for its removal in the back of the car when I got it back :) Cheers Bren Thanks for that. I wonder how they compare with the UK made ones on eBay. What was the main problem with your original set up, was it the ride or were they just leaking? It started off with ride height sensor problems. I tie wrapped the left rear but it kept slipping - result the back end dropped to the bumpers and that holed the left rear air bag. Eventually the compressor could not keep up - so I bit the bullet. When the struts were removed the left had a hole in it and the right rear was in bad shape. Now all is good. That's why I advised Den to sort his ride heigth problem out quickly. Cheers Bren

I've only just seen this reply, thanks for the info, it's something I'm definitely considering. Have you got the link for the US supplier, and am I right in saying the rear seat removal was the longest job? Hi Phil This was the item I bought http://www.ebay.com/itm/261311197422?item=261311197422&viewitem=&vxp=mtr Touring Tech Air Bag Conversion The reseller was Active Distribution and they have an ebay shop. http://stores.ebay.com/Active-Distribution-Store?_trksid=p2047675.l2563 and they still have them: http://stores.ebay.com/Active-Distribution-Store/_i.html?_nkw=Touring+Tech+2001-2006+LS430+Air+Suspension+Air+Bag+Conversion+&submit=Search&_sid=24147399 Don't forget to haggle :) I am not sure if the back seat has to come out but I did find the instructions for its removal in the back of the car when I got it back :) Cheers Bren

Hi Den I'd sort the suspension problem asap. If the sensor fails or breaks you could drop the back end and damage the suspension air bags. I did - and then changed the air suspension for standard struts - you should be able to find the post in the forum. I have done 240K miles and am about to replace my steering column actuator for the third time. It takes 20 mins and the bits are £160. The rear air con pipes go over the back axel and were a factory recall - cut em and cap em - make sure you reduce the amount of fluid you put in the system when you refil it - there is a post on the forum about this. I am a BFB and my driver’s seat broke - I got one from a scrapper but now my leather is wearing out - the rest of my seats are mint. Buy an old car and you become a hobbyist mate - I bought mine brand new. Thanks a lot for giving the 400 owner’s cognoscenti the chance to trot out their well worn logical fallacies :) :) I had 3 LS400s and the 430 is superior :) Cheers Bren

Hi Bob You may find this of interest (from the US forum) http://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls430/351074-diy-for-transmission-flush.html If you check your transmission fluid level do it when it is hot. I have done 240K miles in my 2002 and I don't believe there is a specified transmission fluid change interval. Keep an eye on the state of the fluid because it has a loop through the radiator and if it leaks it will probably mean a new gear box. Cheers Bren

Skill with the scalpel is one thing but it's skill with wheels I need :) My wheels have been refurbed once so are stuffed. My local tyre shop cann't do anything with them. I was thinking about shoving some tyre weld in them - I am running on winter tyres that don't seem to want to wear out - but are a little noisey at speed. One of my mates at the golf club runs a company that refurbs wheels but he still wants silly money. If you look online there are many 'bling' wheels available but I just want simple ones - it looks as if I'll have to get on the phone. Bren

Hi All My wheels leak so badly that I have to inflate the tyres every week. That is except for the spare that had to go on last year - it is not corroded yet . Does anybody know a good place for replacements? - I want standard 17" wheels for a 2002 no low profile nonsense.. Bren

Hi Fellas Many apologies for not responding to Phil's PM and your questions. I have not been logging on to the forum because I have been a bit busy. So an update on my suspension change. I had the work done in early Feb and since mid Feb have been covering about 500 miles per week and everything is spot on. My wife thinks the car was better on the air suspension when it was new - sure 240K miles and 13 years ago when the roads did not have pot holes in them. She is correct that over bumps the air suspension will give you a better ride because it reacts more quickly and the suspension is quieter. The new suspension can rattle a bit on a very bumpy road but this does not affect handling and it is very smooth on a half decent road surface. The car corners just as well as it did on air suspension. I am coming up for a service so will have somebody check it out for me - I don't crawl under cars anymore because I am too fat and stiff. The parts were £671 including shipping on ebay in the US - none were available in the UK. – They cost £114 to clear through customs and deliver. This seemed cheap and I did not get any paperwork nor did I chase any because it was a good price. My local garage charged me £55 per corner to fit. So the parts plus shipping, clearance and fitting were less than £1000 - I am very happy with this. I had to have the front end aligned after the work and the track rods were seized so I bought a full set from Rock Auto in the US for $152 delivered – it was £100 to have them fitted and the alignment done. I cannot stress how well the car drives – it also breaks very well. My air suspension was in such bad shape my 430 drove like a barge before I changed the struts. Things to watch out for: I asked the garage to remove the compressor – they did this after the event. On the day you only need to remove the fuse to disable the compressor. There were no warning lights at this point – when the compressor was removed a high ride height warning appeared. This may be because one of the ride heath sensors was bumped or broken during the removal – anybody any idea how to disable this? I did a lot of research into this change (it is in my nature because I am an engineering consultant for a living) and I am very pleased with the outcome. The new struts can be fitted by any competent mechanic – the guy that did the job said the rears were a bit of a wrestle – that’s why I paid him. I am due a service so will let you know if anything come from that. Cheers Bren

A quick update - the job has been done and the car is fantastic - I have only done 25 miles but it is great to have a level car without a 'wobbley' backend. I need to get the alignment checked (this afternoon if I can get away) but it feels and drives brilliantly. I will post an update with all the details, bits and costs etc - the good news is the ride is still fantastic. The kit was after market from the US and is high spec and simple to fit. Cheers A very happy Bren

Hi LexusCT200H - thanks for the cleaning product recommendation - I have changed Lambda sensors in the past - also a blowing exhausrt will put the Cat fault up.. I usually put Shell Nitro V in (as recommended) because that is next to the LPG pump at my local station. Burning 1/2 a tank of high spec petrol seems to have done the trick. I am a big fan of Honest John, in the Telegraph, and he always bangs on about using high spec fuel. I am going to have the tank cleaned when I carry out some planned suspension work - a couple of pals have had it done to good effect. Cheers Bren

So I have taken the plunge and order the bit from the bay in the US - there are no suppliers in The UK or Europe. I'll give you an update when it is done. The bits were $880 with $195 shipping - the sting will be VAT and import duty (4.5% + 20%) :( The conversion is easy - unlike some comments in the thread guys - it is 1 hour per leg. As far as the system goes pull the compressor fuse (I am going to ditch the whole thing - I don't need to carry useless iron about), you need to keep the ride height sensors connected - one of mine is duff (bodged at the moment) so will need to work on that. I have an LPG conversion so I may need to put in some towing springs if the conversion is not adjustable - we will see what happens and my garage has done the is before. I think it will cost me just ober £1000 for the job - which works for me. One new rear leg is £850 plus fitting - one leaks the other will be soon. The ride height sensors are not great - have a look under a 230K LS430 and you will not be impressed by what you see :) Somebody asked about the premium pack - not many 430s were sold in the UK without it because dealers thought the resale value would be lower. Let's be fair I used to change my Lexus every 2 years, so I didn't give a stuff about what would happen at 230K miles :) I have had 4 coil sprung Lexus' (1 X 300 and 3 X 400) and quite frankly cannot tell the difference. If I get 1 more year out of the beast I will be happy. Cheers Bren

Hi LS400LPG - I can't agree with your comments especially the breakers yard for discs mate. Brakes, tyres and steering are just too important. You do not need to buy factoty parts and even if you do they are not necesarily made in a Toyota factory - they usually come from China. The biggest causes of brake judder are 1) disc run out when fitted- i.e. must be less than 4 thou - which cause uneven wear; 2) Very hot discs caused by a lot heavy breaking ( I was really good at this) and 3) keeping your foot on the pedal after heavy braking this can cause hot spots on the discs. However, I don't know much - but I can tell you I have had much better life from EBD discs and their Green Stuff pads, than Lexus original parts. Godd luck Bren

errrrrrr no Brian! actually not yet fitted LPG system and was going to go with single point as had it on Merc and seen Lexus with over 300k on a single point a while back. This said, although I've got the parts, its not the time of year to fit it (Garage too small) and with petrol prices (if temporarily) declining, I may not make the change at all. I wouldn't be confident to fit a multipoint system myself so cost wise I'm dithering, especially as still got wishbones on advisory and yet to understand why it took half a day to get the car through emissions at the garage for the MOT end last year. Plenty of expense yet to come for the old girl but eventually it'll be the Car I'm happy with. The plugs change was to eliminate possibly the emissions problem, and thought it a good idea to prepare for possible changeover to LPG. They are still Ok as supplied at 1.00mm gap. Hi Stuart - I would not fit a single point system even if you could get one. A pal did on a 400, years ago and it caused him big problems and a head rebuild because some of the valves carboned up. I have done more than 100K miles with a multi-point system with almost no probs. Cheers Bren

Good luck - did you check your thermostat (mine jammed and caused a lot of steam and me grief). Make sure you do up the bleed screws after you have bled the system. I had a local indi change my Cam belt which resulted in a new Rad at 200K miles - not their fault it was just old - and we had fun getting the air out of the system. My Rad was £300+ the cheap ones did not fit my 2002 model. Bren

I have been experiencing problems with the air suspension system on my LS430: The left rear ride hight sensor link broke causing a bit of a collapse - a bodge sorted this out for 12 months. However, I now have a leak in an air bag and the compressor can just about keep up but that will probaly fail soon. The right hand rear bag has cracks in it so will not last long and I expect the holey bag to fail at anytime. So the problem statement is: 1 duff ride height sensor, 1 leaking rear air bag, 1 'tired' looking air bag and a noisy air compressor (caused by a collision with a traffic cone - a long story). Solution 1 - spend thousands and fix the lot - not acceptable I am a Yorkshire Man with an old car. Solution 2 - scrap the car - not acceptable it drives like new - suspension excepted Solution 3 - convert to coil springs - looks affordable - £650 plus shipping from the US, duty, VAT and labour (4 hours or so) So has anybody converted their Premium Pack LS430 to 'normal' suspension and what was the outcome? Are there any UK or European suppliers anyone knows of? There are a couple in the US that I am looking at - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261311197422?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT - is a good contender. Any insight would be appreciated guys - I have not been on the forum much this year (work) and it seems there is still no shortage of opinions :) regards Bren