MLW

I went from 30K to 90 K miles

I must say this is the first time I have changed them in 6 years. I have a theory that they hide below the bonnet line and the sun, so deteriorate less than other cars.

That is very useful, many thanks. I am a bit worried that I may have to cut an adaptor to fit. These are the most expensive blades so should just fit easily. Every other one in the last 50 years just 'slides on' given the U shaped wiper arm. I think I will go with bog standard Bosch ones tomorrow as they seem to be able to 'slide in'.

Euro Car Parts refunded the Denso ones and I bought Bosch AeroTwin blades. They have 4 adaptors and I can't get any to fit? None seem to take a U shaped wiper arm. All seem to be fit fit straight ones. What adaptor did you use. Never had this problem in 50 years of motoring. Maybe the cheaper regular Bosch ones will work?

Very helpful I did it that way but no help. That is how ordinary cars are done. The Densos do not have a tab underneath, they have a locking clip on top. The problem is the drivers arm will not lift up enough. I tried to take the arm off the spline but is is fixed solid. By the way always always have a thick bathroom towel doubled over from the start. Once, I let go of an arm and it hit the screen, not that hard. but very concentrated. The enegy caused it to crack, and a 3 foot running crack occurred!

LS 430 2002. Car failed its MOT on wiper blades. They seemed OK to me with no streaks but I had some Michelin ones from ALDI. Popped them on and all OK, except they are cheap and noisy. Got some Densos and the quality difference is amazing. Problem is, no matter what I do, I can't fit them. They will not go on, even with either adaptor. Never had this problem before. Gas anyone any ides. Is there a special technic as the wiper arms only lift up a tad. Might try Bosch or is there a better make for fitting?

The funny thing is the rear one was very difficult. 2.5 hours. We did not know it had 'massage seats' they said. I suspect lots and lots had to come out.

My old Mercedes had Textar pads on it with a Mercedes star on the metal back. No manufacturer makes pads, they are all supplied. Textar usually are a top brand. I have Pagid on my 430. Very good and quiet. Last a long time too. I am planning a disc/pad renewal all round soon. Might go to Lexus Swindon who I have used before. Always in Toyota boxes. Or Pagid. Both are fine. Pagid naturally a bit cheaper. Actually, they are all part of the TMD Friction group. Now Japanese owned. So is Mintex, and Don. https://tmdfriction.com/about/

LS430, 2002. The car failed its first MOT on a leaking front air strut. Could not believe it. Never had a feeling of any problem. Supply cost £950 each + VAT + fitting! Big panic. Eventually I sourced a second hand one from lexusspares direct on eBay for £215 delivered. This is a posh breakers yard that specialises in Lexus spares, supplies parts to all over the world. I was so pleased, I ordered a second rear one that was a bit iffy but MOT OK. These air struts were always my biggest fear. In 60,000 miles the car has need just one lamda sensor (about £200 supplied and fitted). I spoke to Paul Frost the boss. What a friendly chap. Happy to talk for ages and is a real expert on LS430s as they service them, cam belts and all. I have no links to this firm, but I must say it was old fashioned honest speedy service. If you need 'bits', check them out. Lexus Spares Direct PAUL FROST Autotek Lexus Spares Direct Cotton Hall Street Darwen Lancashire BB3 0DW United Kingdom Phone: 07590072646 Email: paulnfrost@hotmail.co.uk 07590072646 Lexussparesdirect@gmail.com wof

This has been a constant problem over the years for me, and others. Last incident was 2 days standing, and then nothing. I had intended to go to an auto electrician to see if there was a drain. He also said he could disconnect the tracker 'from behind the dashboard'. In the end I went to Halfords and asked them to do a free battery condition check. The young lady checked the cold cranking output at 660 and said it was about 380, and the machine recommended a battery replacement. Can it be saved I said. No. OK because I bought it here 18 months ago and it has a 5 year guarantee. She replaced it on the spot. I fitted it at home (always a pig of a job on these) and put it on a trickle charge of 1 amp, as I had no idea how long it had been on the shelf. It took about 25 amps. The big test was to leave it for two weeks of no use. Then it started with gusto. So, was it a duff Yuasa battery, or a battery damaged by lock down non-use, (although I did periodically charge it), or is there still a parasitic drain down. No idea, but to be monitored. I did wonder how many new batteries are faulty. 'In the old days' I had batteries that lasted 9 and 10 years. As I left, having returned the old battery, the young lady said can I take some pictures of your 430 as my boyfriend wants one. She loved it, especially the inside. Said the moving steering wheel was 'so cool'.

Very Comprehensive. I think 120,000 miles for the spark plugs is too long. 60,000 seems a better target.

Can you help with where the PCV valve is on a 430. Picture would be amazing if possible.

My 430 again failed to start and the battery was very very flat. There must be a drain down somewhere. On a tracker, will it eventually be wired in to the fuse box? Will it then be a case of finding it and taking out the fuse. Will it affect anything else.

That is interesting. My LS430 has an old tracker but I never used it because of the high subscription cost and the car's age were never were worth it. It has always used a steering lock from America. 3 feet of steel is a statement!. However, the battery has a 14-21 day life and that is on a Yuasa 5 year new battery. I assumed it was the security system draining, but this has got me thinking. How to disable the tracker?? Help please?

Not sure, but the fabulous Mark Levinson audio on my 430 premium has never impressed me. The radio is hopeless at picking up stations. I reckon my old SAAB was streets ahead. I suspect that a £150 Pioneer, Sony, or JVC would beat it hands down. The problem is it is built in, so one has to live with it. But please.......Mark Levinson a stunning Hi-Fi.....I think not.

Sounds about the same as mine. You could have a look inside the throttle body and if it looks gungy, give it a clean with the correct spray fluid. Would do no harm anyway.

What is the cost these days at Lexus for a full job including water pump for old 430s?

This happened on my wife's Mercedes SLK. The mechanical lock was solid. Plenty of WD40 over 6 hours and a gentle gentle wiggle and slowly it started working. I suspect it was 12 years since the mechanical lock had been used, (probably from the factory) as everyone uses a blipper. The moral might be a squirt of WD40 ever 6 months.

I used Dextron 111, that's what the 430 manual says.

Mine seems fine, but ever car seems to tramline these days to some extent as British roadbuilding is so poor. New roads seem to 'sink' in no time. Could be tyres? Are they the same and fairly newish?

Halfords oddly enough. 5 year Yuasa.

Mechanical key in the door lock. Pull up bonnet lock. Did this when my 430 had a dead dead battery so the central looking would not work. Charge the battery slowly over 1-2 days and all should be OK.

Oil is simple. Use what Lexus say. They spent millions choosing the oil. It is usually 5w-30 fully synthetic at SJ standard or better. These days I use Shell or even ASDA oil at £16 for 5 litters as it all exceeds the original SJ standard. Always use a Toyota, or Bosch, or Mann, or Hengst oil filter. Change the oil at least ever 10,000 miles. 5,000 is even better. A DIY oil change is £25-30, do not get in a tiss about something so easy and simple.

I have been doing car key fobs and watch batteries for years using £1 shop batteries. Never had a problem. Takes 3-4 minutes every 18-24 months or so. Most batteries are made in China anyway. Once got charged £9.50p at a Toyota dealer for a Prius key battery. Could have done it for 25p myself but I thought batteries were included in the big service programme. They are sir, the desk said. We mean battery, not batteries, i.e. we charge for the spare key!

Had a big drain down on my 430 recently. Had a brake fluid change and wanted to check they had done it correctly. Opened the bonnet and accidently opened the boot. The latches are close. Two days later the battery was really really dead.....nothing. I also could not close the boot. Had to disconnect the battery from the car and charge it. It look days on a trickle charger, but then all OK. The boot then closed when electrical power was sorted out.