Slobbo

1 hour ago, LexusPartsDirect said:

If you need genuine parts for your car we stock Genuine Lexus Discs at a fraction of the main dealer RRP.

https://www.lexuspartsdirect.co.uk/parts/lexus-ls/lexus-ls-phase-ii-1995-2000/lexus-ls-1995-2000-brakes-transmission/lexus-ls-phase-2-front-brake-discs/

https://www.lexuspartsdirect.co.uk/parts/lexus-ls/lexus-ls-phase-ii-1995-2000/lexus-ls-1995-2000-brakes-transmission/lexus-ls-phase-2-rear-brake-discs/

You do indeed.  I purchased these exact parts from you a week or two ago.  Not managed to get them fitted but have arrived safe and sound.

Yes I wonder if that is really the case as well but the machine don’t lie (allegedly). I’ll buy new kit but I know Stuart will check things out before replacing. 

Hi guys,

FYI I replaced my front and rear discs and pads in July 2017 with Mintex discs and pads (used them before and have been happy) but less than 10000 miles later am having to replace them again as these ones are warped.  MOT tester has confirmed after putting it on his brake tester.  I actually believe these have been warped for a long while but I have also been dealing with a knock on the front suspension which has taken an age because I basically replaced every bush and balljoint there is over the last 6 months of so.  

I have contacted Mintex to advise them as either they have a quality issue or the supplier I dealt with is supplying knock offs.  As they are two years old I am not expecting them to do anything but it is disappointing none the less.  I know the calipers are and have been working as expected so not sure what else might have caused the issue.  

I am now looking for replacements.  Suggestions (based on established experience please).  Can you still get OEM?

Was a mate that fitted them. I’ll get them off and give them a good clean and see if it helps. 

Well service wasn't returned to normal.  Ended up having to replace every bloody bush on the front end to stop the knock.  I now have to deal with vibratration from the discs.  I put Mintex brake discs on the front a while ago and expected them to be fine as I have used them many times in the past on various cars and always found them to be solid performers.  Is the issue likely coming from sticking calipers or warped disc?  Anybody tried the EBC performance discs?

Well here’s the breakdown

droplinks - slight movement in both  enough to be a problem  

upper control arms. - 1 ball joint shagged and all bushes knackered. 

New stuff on and service has returned to normal.  

Thanks Malcolm.  Unfortunately didn't see the previous.  I had replaced the uppers about 50k miles ago and they may very well have failed.  I'll put these Blueprint ones on and when they go next time get the Amayama ones.  Not even sure the ones on their have failed.  As I said I've had two different garages try and find the failed part and neither could find movement in any of the joints.  

 I've purchased Blueprint upper arms and drop links.  They are being fitted tomorrow so will update you.  I'll get the garage to keep the old ones and see if they can spot anything else with the suspension apart. 

Hi guys.  Got a Mk3 95 LS400 - I have had a slight irritation for a while now.  When I brake I get a knock from the front end.  I replaced the discs and pads with Mintex stuff and it was fine for a while.  I have also had the upper wish bones and the lower suspension arm ball joints (July last year).  I did have a knock when I wasn't braking as well but this turned out to be a couple of bolts that needed tweaked by 3/4 a turn.  So now I only get knocking when braking.  I don't think the discs are warped.  That feels different (more of a pulse through the pedal).  I've had 2 different places check the suspension and they can't spot any movement or issues.  

Anyone else experienced this?  Ideas.  The car is a joy all other times.

5 litre.  Had a drive of it whilst down there.  The Lexus felt lighter and more planted.  

My 95 LS400 goes up against the Merc W140 S Class in the September Issue of Modern Classics Magazine - Guess which one wins 🙂

Yes.  I only had a few caps to replace and if I remember correctly I was quoted £80 or more but it was an easy job and took them less than an hour and the caps were pennies.  I just checked and looks like I didn't record the cost in my log (I keep a log - yeah I'm a geek) so I can't tell you exactly how much it was but it wasn't expensive.

You were spot on plexus901. LE01

Chaps,

Trying to buy a leather colour kit to fix a mark on the centre console however Lexus cannot tell me what the colour is.  So I was wondering if anyone could tell me what the colour of leather is?  I am guessing I am not the only one who has ventured down this path.

They will source what’s needed.  I thought I had the erratic rpm’s but turns out I just had the air conditioner on.  The car is so quiet that I would pull up at the traffic lights with the air conditioner on and the clutch would engage and rpms go up then would disengage and rpms go down.  You wouldn’t normally notice it on a less refined car but the LS is so silent you do.

Clark Electronics 

63 John Player Building
Stirling Enterprise Park
Stirling
Stirlingshire
FK7 7RP
Scotland

These chaps did the ones on my 95 for about £30.  I removed it and dropped it off with the instructions and part numbers.  They did the rest. 

I put all Mintex stuff on mine.  Good quality.

Autel do nice units. I have two. Doesn't do the 95 LS400 but should do the later ones no bother. Includes live data and should support all the Lexus specific systems.

The VIN on the car is the same as is registered with DVLA so MOT is not a problem. The query is more around why the VIN doesn't seem to comply with the way Lexus generates the VIN numbers. It could just that the sites calculators don't take into account all variations.

Well it is what is punched on the VIN plate so not the case. Went out in the cold and checked.

Ok it does really but if I try to check the VIN out on the smattering of Lexus VIN checkers on the web and it doesn't come up. The Chassis plate also has the model number which is a UCF20R-AEPGKW which translates to an LS400 manufactured between 10/1994 and 07/1997. The VIN however should tell me the exact year of manufacture. I know it is before July 1995 because that is when it was 1st registered.

The reason I am interested is because I have just bought mats which should fit but the fixing holes are in the wrong position. The only thing I can think of is that the carpet in the car is from the pre 1994 version.

The VIN is (minus the last few digits JT153UF20000xxxxx. Position 10 is supposed to be the year. Any ideas why this is a bit weird?

I have a 95 model with the Pioneer unit and am looking to replace the head unit. The LCD has gone and I would like a modern system with apple Carplay. Bluetooth etc. I am toying with a Pioneer double din unit with Navigation built in. Their isn't much the unit won't do however it is an expensive option. £700 for the unit but I figure I'd just take it with me whenever the car departs my care. If this isn't bad enough I will need to get the Beat Sonic SLA21A adapter so I can use the old amp, sub and speakers. The kicker here is that it will cost me circa £220 for what is little more than a couple of wires and some HiLow filters. You can only get the things from Japan or US so the import duties are part of what bumps the price up. So the whole setup will be stupid expensive. My car is however immaculate and very low mileage so probably worth it.

I did the CD changer wiring mod so I can plug the Iphone in. This works well but I don't have hands free. I would also like to get rid of the screen mounted sat nav hence the choice of head units.

I'm interested in any personal recommendations. My LS came with a set of cheap mats made for the LS but they are really crap quality compared to the originals. I have the cream interior and would like a set of really thick excellent quality mats where the holes actually line up with the clips.

Anyone got details e.g. type or part number for the bulb in the footwell. I smashed it. It's tiny

Winter reaches Fife very early

Nah not really but the winter tire prices will go up soon so want to get them before that happens.