runsgrateasanut

Colin the DC176K may be a better fit if the lower hole will stretch. Sorry I've got a bit confused (as will you have withm my thread!!) with RHS/LHS UK/American. Just took off the wrapping to my Drivers side and putting up photo. Now this does not look like the photo of the spare which I show in this thread. I think its also for Drivers side. (Long arm forward) So, it must be is Chinese Arm (one of the pair) on the N/Side which has disintegrated rubber and the Drivers side is the Taiwan arm which looks OK having unwrapped it. I wrapped it when the Sun was making it diffcult to see and with the wheel on etc. So only one needed to be repalced rubber but this spare arm will need the rubber replaced before use at any time. The Yank got it wrong - their stuff is no good unless rubber replaced. As for the bushes? Will wait and see.

ps for interest sake - the outer measurement of this rubber is 46mm. There is about 3mm each side of the inner measure of the OEM rubber gaitor - so compatible

I'll check them out Colin. I agree that a cable tie is probably the best. I've already ordered Nos. 100 - 200mm by 2.5mm which is the best width and assurred length. I'm posting a photo of a spare UCA that I purchased as a pair having had a single fitted to my N/S but the single I bought for the O/side was for a Lexus SC. So I bought a pair, and have a spare. I'm not sure if the rubber gaitor on the "made in China" one that you see here, actually has had the same deterioration of the rubber. I couldn't easily see it when I wrapped it and i don't know if the MOT inspection actually peeled back the cling film and tape to check. If its OK (and I am assured by the seller that they have not had any problems with them) then this will half the work for my mechanic. Interestingly you will see that the style of gaitor is not concertina. Would it even need be? This part does not compress surely? What I don't know also, is if the rubber in the bushes is also a poor quality and likely to fail? I'll ask my mechanic to look on Monday when he does the work.

Good thinking Colin, but the smaller aperture is a bonded hard plastic. Daresay it doesnt matter as long as you get a couple of years or so from the cheaper UCA's, I missed from the list of faults one lower Ball joint - I have a pair of Japanese mnfd ones bought via ebay Australia also sitting in the Dining room! So another "to do". Either cable ties or perhaps S/S ties may be easier to fit than the circlip which is an absolute pain to remove.

"Massive fail" the mechanic said to the Receptionist who asked about the Lexus MOT, I thought rather indelicately as I was within earshot. "Will be with you in a minute Sir as just dealing with these people" when he noticed me.. So I sat looking at the brand new Mondeo etc in the Showroom waiting somewhat crestfallen for the verdict. He kept me waiting a further five minutes whilst I now recognise he was pricing up the repair costs online. Came to £1,779.18 when he eventually called me to the desk. Well, it wasn't quite as bad as I thought. The good news? the Car had passed the emissions - Hooray! I didn't see the figures but it passed. First and Second on the list were the Control Arm perished gaitors. (I was told by others and himself later) that they could not remove things and so my clingfilm and insulating tape must have been disturbed to see the rubber problem. - I kept the old Gaitors so can be replace and problem solved. Offside front A-roll bar linkage excessive play. OK Just bought two (not knowing if they'd send me the wrong side) from Rock cost £59 - against Lexus price for one £95.36 + VAT. Advisorys Slight leak engine/ gearbox - asked for where, he said he couldn't remove the undertray to check!! No, but he can remove clingfilm and tape! Front tyres wearing on inner edges - actually outer edge on one, and have two new tyres plus set of Alloys to be fitted. O/S/R tyre 3mm tread Thought rears were OK and planned to use on new wheels? Maybe not. I'd booked my mechanic to replace various pieces of brake pipe but he'll need do these things instead. No mention this time of rusting rear springs or brake pipe or rear wishbones all of which I have sitting in packaging in my dining room!! Maybe not such a "massive fail" as suggested.

Excellent photos Paul - surprised someone hasn't marketed these flanges to fit. The guy who does sells the top ones on ebay didn't seem too interested unfortunately. I gave him the measurements and one should slip onto the 3mm stainless pipe part that extends beyond the muich depleted Cat flange making the job easier. Great job and hope to do something similar -eventually!!

Any chance of putting up some photo's of the repair? As you said, some say a cheap fix whereas I was quoted £450 for the flanges to Cats. Backed out of that and hoping the Black silicone is still holding for tomorrows MOT and CO2 level has dropped since last test. Thing is with welding you run the risk of someone mucking up the ECU. To take off the "Y" pipe to do a good job fitting new flanges, you have to take off the rear Lambda's. Not only do mine look welded to the car but to remove them requires taking out carpeting so I have been told unless you cut and join which can't be recommended under the car taking all the wet and grit. So how did they do yours, exactly?

There's an awful lot of info on the plusses and minus's of where and what to buy if you put the part into the google search engine on this site. I have imported fronts (and I assume you mean fronts?) wishbones from America with mixed results. The single one I bought the rubber was disintegrating within three months. A pair I bought from this link though my car being a '93 it doesn't look the same. They were adament they had a better product but I have'nt removed the black clingfilm and insulating tape that I put on the only one I used, to see if the rubber lasted longer - Car is up for MOT next week and depending on findings I may have to undo the tape. Fact is, that if you keep your original rubber gaitors then should the enw ones perish quickly you may be able to repalce them and the unit may (I say may) last for a good time. Check out Rock Auto Parts in USA don't forget import duty and shipping costs. http://www.buyautoparts.com/buynow/1996/Lexus/LS400/Control_Arm_Kit/93-80393_K1.html?xref=1360065

Hello mine is looking suspect also - whats going on here?

Thats an interesting Posting time you are using Steve? Is it behind or ahead?

It was the colour first attracted me to the Lexus. I'd had several Mercs in Burnt Silver and the paint work was pretty good but the Smarage Schwarz colour of my last S320 left me cold. Of course Merc experimented with some sort of eco paint around that time which was not a great success. Smarage although seemingly Black was not Black and in some lights looked green and in some blue. Couldn't stand the colour though kept the car for six years. On the Lexus I only have a little flaking of the Lacquer on the front bumper, otherwise its a full gloss metallic shine - Wonderful - Love it!

Lovely job and I like the wheels. I washed mine Friday evening, first time since owning the car in Janaury, and will be getting my replacement wheels fitted later this week. My originals are ingrained with dirt and spoil the beauty of the paintwork which others have said comes up a treat with a bucket of water thrown over it even though its seen its key of the door year.

Quite surprising the number of cars on SORN. It seems that owners are reluctant to get rid of their cars for whatever reason - Barn finds of the future perhaps?

Put that roll of tape down NOW - I hear you say. Promise no more photos after the below.

Well Folks the Child has yet to die in me! You either love it or hate the idea of go faster tape, but I thought I'd see how they look.

Has anyone EVER seen a Four Track driver driving at 20mph when this junk is on the road? They think its sport to spray the oncoming drivers. Should be cameras at every 20mph zone whilst this stuff is thrown onto the pavement to no advantage to the road. (Never thought I'd say that) Whereabouts in Essex please? Is this the £10m promised that they are wasting rather than doing the job properly like the French do?

Unclear what is being said here - are we all snobs? Our cars can go for as low as £200. Not exactly the sort of thing you'd spout about with yuppies in a pub. I just paid £200 for my car - its a Lexus don't ya know! Ha ha ha. I admit to the fact that having always felt a wee bit superior when looking through the "Star" (despite its age), its perhaps because of the V8 engine and image of the Lexus, reminder of the early days of the Goffrey video that I have spent so much money (not by standards of depreciation of a new car) since having bought it and not gone back to the "Star". Son, pointed out last night "Shed of the Week" on Pistonheads a V8 500 W140 S Class and I barely glanced at it. This Lexus thing and the nice people on the Owners Club is a bit of a magnet. Guess I've been dragged in by the metal strips in my Wallet.

you lost me on that acronym Rupert - Supersymmetric Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouinis the interpretation. Having in January joined the "one in three" Men, I think I can guess what you are alluding to!

If I'd had OCD as to the cleanliness of the TB i'd have removed the disc and immersed it in 3 parts Ammonia, 2 parts water and a squirt of washing liquid, left it for half an hour and then rinsed off with petrol thereafter touching it only with cloth to get it bright as clock parts I once used to waste my time on. Life is too short (I've discovered!) The Manifold was pretty coked up and I noted that it didn't have some sticky up post like the one on the Lexls photo's? Didn't sound quite right the TPS setting and running at 1100rpm. Slight adjustment and now cold 1100 but warm idle 600rpm. Probably nailed it but may (another day) test with a multimeter to see all AOK

I am not understanding this? How many 1993 Cars ?

be interested to see correct figures.

Thats good news. Is that the price plus fitting or just the part? Springs are nasty things to put in. The rears on my last Mercedes had a slight angle when inserted and my mechanic wasn't keen to do the job, so got a guy specialising in Mercs to do it. I've just put everything back together and going to eat before I start her up. Don't want to spoil my digestion. In the end I stayed with the Water pipe system to the TB but replaced the end part and used jubilee clips. I do have a couple of worries and would welcome your thoughts. The advance /retard unit on the TB I can't be certain I put it back exactly where it was. Put some tippex on it but not in the right place! Idiot! I lost some fluid but tried to fill the pipe with A/F before linking that blighter of a pipe RHS. Not sure if an air bubble could get into the head? Any simple way of purging the system? ps. The guy I bought the TB from was going to use it plus engine in a boat and clearly stripped and gave it a spray of paint to stop corrosion. By the time I'd cleaned the TB using my good old flexible friend (they come in useful for something) I toyed with the idea of doing a complete job (being on the sea front salt air predominent) but the wife wants me to take her to the Dentist tomorrow so.........

Got it off around Tea time. The back of the legs aching like mad and feel cream crackered - off to bed! Removal of top studs essential. Will replace connecting tube with plastic elbow and use jubilee clips to secure all pipework facing where easy to unscrew. Photo of removed TB - need to get it as nice as the one I'm selling on t'bay. Left to soak overnight with Carb cleaner and oil mix. Hopefully tomorrow morning it won't be too difficult to remove the 1mm of soot. Will use a green kitchen scourer or wire wool (gently) if stuff won't shift. Also put up photo of removed plugs which may be the Denso originals . The burn looked OK.

Thanks Rupert. In between downpours I've just managed to undo the pipe at the TB. As I had to chew it up rather with my pliars to get it off, I'm thinking I will dispense with the inbetween tube and get a piece of tubing that runs from the TB around the Fuel rail and into the whatever. It won't need a protective wrap but I may have to get a piece with a right angle so it doesn't collapse. Nuisance that, but don't want a leaking pipe Just found after half an hour a couple of nuts so will remove the studs to make getting the other tubes off that much easier, assuming they do unscrew. When it stops raining.....

Beginning to wish I hadn't started this job. Anyone, give me the logic of why Lexus should attach the throttle body at the bottom with long removable bolts, but at the top with studs which have nuts on, making movement of the part impossible until you can withdraw it from the studs? Bottom water pipe set in clips. S'pose I need lever this out. Breather pipe nearby also not keen to move. Would have been easy if TB could have been drawn away. Spring clips are a nightmare. Yet to see a tool, which can cope with them and very awkard to get to. Must invent something. Have seen something based on a screw turning device to draw the clip together but presupposes you are not restricted by other parts. Always seem to be put on at the worst angle to get at. Doh! Oh well, will have to persevere. The write up with photo's is useful but doesn't tell how the bottom two pipes are removed when you can't flex the Throttle body. Squeeze and yank I s'pose?