Peter L

Thanks guys, Not sure about the taking the whole gear surround off thing but cannot locate the 'internal' fusebox ??? Tried looking under the steering column but couldn't actually see anything (other than an air vent I never knew existed before !)

Hi All, Long time member but been away for a while ... anyway plugged in my tyre inflator into Cig Socket and must have been on too long as Lighter socket no longer works. I have checked in the fusebox under the bonnet but no fuses blown ? Any ideas ? Thanks

Glad to here everyone ok - I had a Rover 820i a few years back (when I was skint - still am but ...) had it for 2 weeks before somebody (looking for a cassette - her words) didn't notice my (parked car) went into the back of it (with my wife still in it). Wife suffered whiplash (car parked, so had seatbelt off) all captured on CCTV (by the company the driver worked for !) luckily as she disputed she was at fault ???!!! Her company reviewed the CCTV footage and sacked her on the spot. Anyway I digress, car was written off even though there was a slight indent on the bumper and a little scratch ! (apparently the whole bumper would have been replaced and cost more than the car's worth ?). I paid £895 for it and got £1200 after showing similar ads from Autotrader, I asked what they were going to do the car and they offered it to me for - zilch ! Apparently I was doing them a favour as they would have had to pay for storage and recovery costs ... I sold it on for £650 so result ! It pays to ask ...

Most independents can access 'Car Data' which lists the relevant service items for each particular make/model - ask if your garage has access to it. When I got my 1995 series 3 with 52k on the clock, I changed everything I could think of including genuine cambelt water pump etc. I got all the stuff from America and was genuine Nippon Denso stuff etc. even some obscur parts that my garage didn't know what it was for (and now sitting in my garage collecting dust !) I think I still had change from £250 even with the express DHL courier which cost about £50 to send. If anybody needs the address for the chap who supplies just about every serviceable item for Lexus then pm me. (Not known to me and I have no financial interest - just good old fashion service with great prices, just helping out a guy who helped me out !) BTW - ATF = Auto Transmission Fluid

If you've got Costco membership those Goodyear wipers are ace and only about a tenner a pair - flat blade and silent too ...

Ok everything fixed now - 3 hours labour @ £45ph - not bad. I didn't need the ball joints in the end (anybody need a set for £50 pm me ?) in the end as they were fine as well as the shockers and got car back - so glad as have to drive around in Mrs BM 5 series (new shape) which is no way as good :winky:

Thanks Adev but if you're mechanically incompetent like me (broke 2 wheel studs just putting wheel back on !) then it's cheaper (as will have to pay the garage again later to fix my fudged attempt)and safer (Springs can be lethal if you don't know what you're doing) and if you damaged some items doing it - think of the destruction I would cause !!!

Just an update - Special thanks to Steve2006 as have ordered those KYB springs - rang them up and they were actually a tenner cheaper each so result ! Just waiting for them to turn up now. Thanks to ACLex and Benfur for getting back to me too ... I managed to get the car transported on the back of a tow truck as it was covered by a £65 maximum at home service and the 12 mile trip cost £59 !!! A plug for Auto Aid (part of Autonational)as for only £38 a year you get rescue and recovery and at home for you and a partner in any car !!! (NB You pay claim first and then claim it back). Only issue was he drove it up the low loader and reversed it off again - hope it's not damaged further ! Have read the thread about the ball joints being a weak point so have ordered these at £50 a pair (which is too reasonable ?) and have asked the garage to check if they need them otherwise hang on to them when I need them. Was tempted to get a new pair of shockers too but pocket rules head and have decided to use the old ones if I can - although they are 16 years old the car has only done 65k from new (I know it doesn't quite work like that as age is another contributing factor to parts failure). Hopefully all parts arrive tomorrow and garage can get it back on the road again (at a reasonable cost) next week as I'm off all next week ... :winky:

Interesting - I take it that's for x1 and I will need to order x2 ? There is only one type listed for Fr(ont) but 2 types listed for R(ea)r ? I'll probably order these but will wait for those two you mentioned earlier to get back to me first ... I'm trying to think of a way to get the car towed to my mechanic (who's recently sold his tow truck - doh !) and let him decide whether or not I need new ball joints but in fairness I have been hearing a creaking/knocking sound over bumps in the road before the spring snapped ? Thanks for the suggestions and advice - much appreciated - it's what I joined these forums for !!!

Thanks for those wise words Steve, I live in North Manchester and they (speed bumps) have popped up everywhere !!! :tsktsk: I have contacted my mechanic who has advised the same as what you have recommended about driving etc. but I'm sure I have one of those stupid policies which doesn't cover recovery as I'm parked outside my own house !!! Can you tell me where you found those KYB springs (any good ?) I'm at work at the moment and can't access fleabay :shutit: I have also been told to check the lower ball joints by a chap at Japarts as he reckons Lexus springs just don't break ? Keep coming back to this forum as it's so helpful unlike the other ones I am a member of (BMW) Thanks again

Hi Guys ! Drove off to work as usual this morning in my Mk3 1995 LS400 and 50 yds from my house there is a speed bump, went over it at 10mph (tops) and very loud crack ! Stopped and saw the remnants of a coil from I guess what would be the o/s spring as that side looks slammed ! Pretty good when I was a Max Power kind of guy but reaching 40 means that I have grown out of all of that !!! :winky: I guess there was warning signs as there was a strange metallic sound each time I went over bumps and uneven roads previously. My Question's are - I know the springs will need replacing as spares but do I/should I replace the shocks as well ? Is it safe enough to drive it to the nearest garage or will I need recovery ? What kind of costs would I be looking at ? (Sods law - totally broke this month !) :tsktsk: Anybody know where I can get a pair of springs reasonably from ?

Yep it is a shame alright, if they would fit I might buy them, but sadly the lights are different. But at least, when compared to 95 model 98 has more power :) Yes but for power I have a Saab 9000 Aero Turbo :winky:

Shame I have 2 virtually brand new LHD lights for a MK3 1995 model (previous owner 'emigrated' to Spain for a month before changing mind !) which I will never need going spare ... shameless plug for anybody who is after a set ...

Holy Sugar !!! Tried Lexus as mine is up for renewal - wanted over £1400 for a 1995 series 3 ! I'm 40 with 18 years NCB - no points or claims and best price I can find this year is £550 with Admiral on a Multi car policy - anybody know where else I might try ?