Hi everyone on here, aged 29 I have just bought my first Lexus, a £500 93 LS400. The good news - 1 owner from new, massive s/h, mechanically perfect despite 197k.
1 - My issues are wandering feeling on motorways - im thinking possible upper control arms...linked to
2 - Very disconcerting, almost dangerous, vague steering feeling over bumps especially at higher speed - feels like the front of the car is fighting to dart off in different directions and leaves you with a seasick sensation - im thinking lower nearside front balljoint - offside front balljoint replaced at last mot.
3 - Pulls badly to the left and most notable crawling in traffic, if you put the steering wheel in centre position take your hands off the wheel, it moves gradually in stages towards the left on its own - possibly tracking but I have just had the front wheels tracked at National tyres 1/2 price voucher for £14 but hasn't made any difference.
All tyres have correct PSI and look ok.
The slightly worring thing is it had a new mot less than 500 miles ago in december with no advisories!
There is no evidence in the s\history that the upper control arms have been replaced. Do these normally last 17 years and 200k? The ones on the rear were replaced a couple of years ago.
Am I on the right track with my assertions, anyone had these exact issues and have any better ideas or tips?
I am thinking of buying upper control arms at £99 a pair, £70 ball joint and around £50 tie rod ends, but as a keen student of bangernomics I dont want to do all that if it still pulls to the left or doesn't solve these problems as £250-300 bill is economically unwise on a £500 car even though I love it and appreciate its a luxury car so expensive parts.
I plan to try and do the work myself. The car is for my brother who lives in Holland and he will keep it for a year until its MOT so has to be right!