SteveLS400

hi guys,new member here.hope you can give me some info on the ls400.

Im in the market for a big lump of a car to pull our caravan.

the car would be used purely for this reason and maybe a bit of weekend driving.

ive checked the weights and power of this model and it meets my requirements.

the question is really does any one have experience of using the ls400 as a tug

and is a towbar available.also would i have to fit an extra oil cooler.

thanks in advance people.

p.s great sight.russdbl6

Hi and welcome

I have always used mine as a tow car without any problem except that with the rear overhang the lowest point of the bracket has been known to ground over humps.

I have had some serious weight on including a trailer with a complete Range Rover which was also full of other stuff for weighing-in.

The transmission cooler is an issue that has raised itself before. I have one. Under normal towing conditions it could be argued that its not necessary to have supplementary cooling. Consider the situation of queing uphill on a hot sunny day (the hill after the bottom of the M5, for instance) then the strain on the box in stop/start would, in my view, necessitate a cooler and they are alot cheaper than a new box.

Toyota Celsior,I don't know if the washers are heated but 2 reservoirs,1 for screenwash (push the end button) the other for clean water rinse (pull the stalk towards you)!!! :D

Best add to the signature :winky:

Just replaced my front discs and pads, as anyone who's done this on an early LS will know, it's very easy, both sides took just over an hour and a half. When I checked the rear discs they looked a bit naff. Are they as easy as the fronts or does it involve taking the hub off etc?

Ta

Phil

Have a look here http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/brake/rbrotor.html

Hello,

I've never rebuilt a steering rack and I think there are certain proceedures to preload the rack which are not DIY friendly.

I had a root-around and couldn't find anyone else with this issue, maybe time is taking its toll? Is it possible bits where out on these cars?

and Steve...why did I think your suggestion said a piece of wood, brocolli and a walking stick? Why would someone use brocolli I asked myself...

Cus one of is ........

I was young foolish; now I'm just foolish

Interesting the mention of heated wipers - are the windscreen jet nozzles heated?

Blimey; as I may have mentioned, mine has opening doors, see-through glass and pump-up tyres.

Obviously that shiny bracket isn't just there to look pretty. So would I be correct in presuming that it should be bolted to the engine block? There's a handy hole and thread visible next to the plastic cover.

I'm wondering if someone put the pipes back in in the wrong order.

Been and had a look, but mine is rather different.

Let me explain why I said what I said.

Firstly let me say that there was absolutely no malice whatsoever and I am amazed and disappointed in the response.

Over the last few years I have spent many enjoyable hours on here believing that I was helping others and learning in the process. Often, I have searched on here and elsewhere in order to find an answer. I often have to do multiple searches and in doing so I glance at the subject (and the sub-heading) to see if its relevant to the original question. I do not read every search return as there are usually too many and, as regular users of the facility will know, the software will find everything with the keyword somewhere in it. So, to narrow it down, I use, as I say the subject matter.

If the subject changes halfway through a thread, that is not reflected in the search. In this a search for LPG would return this thread which I would not read because the subject heading does not contain "LPG." That could mean I've missed valuable info.

The same logic applies for anyone using the search facility.

If we switch topics mid-thread we might as well have one long conversation. Or have I got it completely wrong?

what do you guys think of this one?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201111382267305/sort/priceasc/usedcars/model/ls/make/lexus/postcode/cf242tw/radius/1501/page/5?logcode=p

although the mileage is a bit high 130,000 miles.

Looks good to me, especially if 1 owner and FSH checks out.

Ok thanks for the tip. Next question is LPG, I'm getting it converted asap. Any recommendations as to which system to use?

Theres been a ton of threads about LPG, so have a search through them rather than change the subject in this thread because it makes using the search function difficult. Then by all means add to those or start a new one.

Hi all,

I'm new to the forum.

I'm currently looking for a 2003/04 LS430 and been looking through the autotrader/pistonhead/ebay etc and the prices seem to range from $3.9K to $6.9K. May I ask why the huge price difference? All of the ones I looked at are 100,000 miles+. Anyway comments are highly appreciated. I'm looking to get the car for a European tour and the LS430 seems to be alot more reliable than the S-class.

Also, if anyone know of a any respected members who are selling pls do let me know.

Many thanks

Victor.

just like any other asset, owners have an inflated idea of the value. Then there will be those "feeling" the market and others who have to sell due to circumstances. Plenty of other factors such as service history can affect price. The remainig reason? They have no idea.

Steve; you forgot the broomstick alternative!

You're nearly right, I used various props - a piece of wood, brolli and a walking stick :winky:

My LS400 has just got its own back on me.

Remember I started the thread about breakers fees? I now have no choice, my LS400 has passed away, and will have to be cremated shortly.

I was driving in leicester on friday and I heard an unusal tinkering type noise from under the bonnet, I thought it may have been water pump or alternater.

After the noise getting louder I pulled into a side street to see lots of smoke in my rear view mirror and a smell of burning.

I managed to pull the car into a parking space and smoke was now coming through the gaps in the bonnet area, I switched off the ignition and waited. Fortunately things got better and no actual fire broke out, although later their was no dashboard lights so I couldn't even wind the window up.

The Churchill relay wagon got me home in good time and the car is now on my drive.

My mechanic friend brought over a battery and we tried to get some power just to close the window, but when he connected his jump leads there was heavy sparking and he reckoned something was stuck electric wise.

Just over a year ago i had the alternater rebuilt because it had become damaged with power steering fluid dropping on it, do later models of the LS have this problem?

My friend thinks it may have been the alternater which failed causing something to burn out and create all the smoke and burning smell.

We have decided not to attempt a repair and I am now looking for a replacement.

I just thought that I'd keep the board informed.

Oh dear. No the later ones dont have such a nasty problem.

What's the best option for new bonnet struts?

The only good option regarding struts is to replace them. They are a bit of a faff to remove and refit - and you will not want to do it more than if the scrap ones are not up to the job. They can also be regassed but the cost saving isn't woth the hassle IMHO.

I got mine from fleabay.

Police have arrested 2 boys after being caught drinking battery acid and eating fireworks,one was charged the other was let off!!!!

Best add "Official Stand-Up Comic - Not" to the ever growing signature

Ive been restoring my 92,and ive been searching for a bushing that i must not know the proper name,it's on the front lower part of the car,its not the end links or anything to do with the struts,ive heard of the pillow bushing but cannot find any mention on the net,its a large bushing and i want to call it the radius or radial bushing,Im soo close to the finnish and this is really keeping me from my goal,im happy to go with polyurathane or stock rubber,even though im in AZ and its so hot and dry rubber ages very quickly,and once im done with this i dont plan on ripping her open again to do the bushing again,so poly would be prefferable.Thank you all for your time and i hope this isnt an newbee"dumb"question thats been answered over and over ,but as i dont know what to call it -it makes it a little hard to look,that and where the bushing is supposed to go is just air so i dont even know what it looks like.Thanks Bladefoot.

Hi and welcome

I can see a picture of the car all masked-up for spraying but not a picture of the part you want to replace. I appreciate you are having trouble naming it but a picture paints a 1000 words. We'll if you help us to do so.

Wow, that is so fine ...... absolutely noway that I could ever possibly " fix " the problem personally ......... it would be oh so good to know of a kind soul who could achieve this for me when my time has come !!

Malc

Actually, you probably could. And I will write it up soon.

Thanks for replies. Unfortunately mine doesn't have the fuel computer,you only get to see total mileage and trip mileage. I try not to let it get to the 'red light' but we all get caught out sometimes. Why is it that the bottom half of the tank always seems to empty quicker than the top half !!.

It always does.

Why does the car drive faster, smoother and better with a full tank?

You mean the half crown in the centre?

Thats about the size of it. The circuit is finer than human hair.

I am having a similar problem with my MK4. Steering wheel does the same thing but will not move in and out on the button, up and down is OK. Would love to know a fix to the problem, is there a seperate fuse for both up & down and In & Out ??

No, only 1 fuse and it protects various things so you would know if it was a fuse issue because other things eg indicators wouldn't work.

My '95 LS has lost its steering wheel memory. When I take out the ignition key it politely moves the steering up and in, out of my way (there's actually no need as I'm not an overweight American for whom this feature was no doubt designed). However when I get back in again it forgets to put the steering wheel back where it found it, hence now having to re-adjust it every time. It this the avoidable onset of dementia for my dear old thing or is there a cure?

Its probably not the memory itself but resetting it will help after you've used the joystick to bring it up, out, down and in as far as it will go a few times 1st.

Eventually you will have to pad-out the washer in the motor housing but taking it through its full travel may overcome the problem for a while.

Steve hi,

Does that mean that you are very adept at fixing the radio backlight problem in my old lady when the time is right ?

If that is so then I would dearly love to pop over to you ( from Herne Bay in Kent ) via my nephew in Newmarket ( is that not too far ? ) one day. No rush tho' I guess, it's just the first time it's failed me !

Best wishes

Malc

I love to fix your old lady and the radio as well :winky: but it aint a 5 minute job and from where you are to me, Newmarket's about half way. Wait till I write it up.

Sort those side repeaters out man! ;)

Well spotted.

Are we talking surface mount/MELF resistors here and the delightful double sided print?

Delightful is the word. The originals are chip type and so small its almost impossible to solder them because even the solder moves them on the pcb. They are slso mounted in the worst place possibe to get access and they are very close to the main voltage regulator which generates heat which in turn gradually weakens the solder on the chips. The pcb is highly complex and ridiculously fine in detail although the lower face is easier to work with. The fix is melf resitors to the underside.

I have pictures and have promised Maurice (Benfur) that I will write it up. I just want to make sure that the one in the car is fixed and not susceptible to any problem. The grief and aggro means you don't want to be doing it more than once. Trust me. I can remove the unit, strip it down, rebuild it and refit in my sleep Ive done it that often.

Here's alink to a thread I started last year, which might prove useful http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=65638&st=0&p=711846&hl=+ride%20+height&fromsearch=1entry711846

If you have low profiles fitted on smallish rims, that could cause the problem as could a non-standard boy-racer front skirt. I come down in favour of the incorrect springs and/or suspension set up.

Did it do this before your new parts were fitted?