Farqui

@IanA2, is this any good? They're based in Washington 😲...Tyne & Wear 😂

https://www.adrad.co.uk/prices/prices.php?type=radiator&id=LE309&model=GS&make=LEXUS

I like the schematic so that you can check hose outlets and dimensions.

Fair enough.  It's annoying that Lexus parts are difficult to source at a reasonable price on this isle.

Hmmm Rockauto, Fedex 1 week delivery to the Midlands is showing as <£150 all in for me, so £100 saving over your estimate. Duty is paid up front here unlike orders I've had from Japan.

Ian @IanA2, rad's aren't available - really?

Have you checked Rockauto, for the GS340 circa 2001 (as per your profile) they are coming up less than £100 https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/lexus,2001,gs430,4.3l+v8,1373846,cooling+system,radiator,2172

Similar prices for LS rad's too.

Rockauto have half shafts listed 

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/lexus,2003,sc430,4.3l+v8,1416675,drivetrain,cv+half+shaft+assembly,2288

1 minute ago, royoftherovers said:

I most certainly would NOT like to meet you down a dark alley old pal !!

You'll not find me down any dark alleys!

I'll be in my garage scratchin' my head! 🤣

5 minutes ago, royoftherovers said:

Did you not take out the Extended Warranty Lee ?

Nope, there's no fun in that John

Crumbs Jay @Jaystar77, that's shocking!

Another year and another MOT passed 

It's not all plain sailing though as the weak heating on the passenger side is worse than ever this winter.

At the wkend I took another look at all the servo's and they appear to be working. 

I had also hoped to confirm that the heater matrix is hot on the passenger side but it's well buried 😞  Both heater pipes are good and hot.

The A/C has not been regas'd in the 3 years I've owned the vehicle and I've read that low pressure can cause partial cabin heating issues, across numerous marks altho I don't quite understand why. The A/C does get cold.

To get an easier possible cause ticketed off, I'm booked in with Lex-Tek later in the week for an A/C once over 🤞

Before then I hope to get an OBD reader hooked up and confirm the actual engine temp, the dash gauge reads normal.

Has anyone experienced (and fixed) lack of passenger heat from any/all of their vents regardless of A/C, mode settings ?

This ?

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/lexus,2004,is300,3.0l+l6,1426070,suspension,control+arm+bushing,7532

Ah, I didn't see the arrow #duh

Is the bush part# listed on the far right of the screen print? - it's truncated in the diagram 😞

Nice diagram but which bush needs replacing?

Try looking at Rockauto for replacement suspension components, their prices for a whole rod are often similar to just a bush from eBay.  Shipping and delivery is quick and painless too 🙂

Yikes Robert, that sounds like a grim drive home 😞

When you say the mid section sheered did it split and it still hanging under there, albeit loosely? 

Initially I wonder if it had hit the ground and smashed into something on the underside?

The mid section has the 2 rear most cats and a couple of o2 sensors, are they still in place/hanging by their cables?

Depending on where the exhaust has broken, I'd say that you need to get the exhaust propped back up to prevent any further damage.

It's good to hear that the HV Battery still appears to be working normally, so lets hope that fixing the naughty exhaust resolves the issue(s).

My center section wasn't in great shape and it failed beyond repair once the rear was section was removed. Others have reported similar problems, so after 10 years these exhaust do seem prone to needing replacing.

Are you struggling to remove the bolt? - it looks to have rounded edges.

The replacement bush you've listed needs to be pressed out (if you can) or cut out if you don't have the right tools.  You'll need to press the new one back in tho, so investing in a bush removal/press kit would be worthwhile especially as they aren't expensive.  A vice will be very handy if you can get the whole suspension arm off the vehicle.  I've swapped bushes in place but it can quickly turn into a nasty game.

On a side note, how are you finding the car since the hybrid Battery was replaced?

Did the replacement dampers and brakes also make a significant difference to the vehicle?

Ah okay, thanks for clarifying. Maybe the original rear boxes were a tad too small or not sufficiently baffled?

TB made up my mid section with the cats but without the rear most can shown in your pic ^ but I dare say they could, they're handy and have provided good service to many other forum members. 

If I were you then I would definitely give them a call, they'll make it sound/look as you want. 

My new s/s mid section didn't break the bank and was significantly less than you've been quoted 😉

Good luck getting this sorted.

Hi Kal, what exactly was the issue with the aftermarket rear section?  Was it an off the shelf item or bespoke/made to measure part?

When I had my rear section replaced (due to the same corrosion as yours, hardly surprising given the age) they found that my mid section couldn't cope with the wrestling and needed replacing.  Which I didn't mind at the time as once it's done, the stainless repair wouldn't need looking at again.  Tony Banks (Leeds) sorted mine and although it's not ghostly silent like OEM it only just makes itself heard, in-fact it now has a nice quiet burble.  Have you tried TB?

I'm confused by your post tho, did you buy a mid section at £1250 and now want another rear section (even tho you sourced an OEM rear from Nippon) ?  If so, then what's wrong with the replacement rear ?  Or are you now looking for a replacement mid section after balking at the £1250 ?

Sorry to hear that the bills are mounting up tho, I guess your Battery refurb was necessary and that you hadn't had a Lexus Healthcheck done in the previous 12 months?

Cheers, Lee

Gotta love Rockauto 😎

I've always found their delivery fast and on par with a local dealer LOL.

I've never been stung for any additional fees either, unlike Japanese orders.

That looks dandy, almost too good to install...but when are you hoping to get them fitted?

Hi Kole, After living with a CVT box for a while I've grown to really like it in the GS, it's different for sure but isn't a deal breaker for me.

Sure at first it did seem very weird but the smooth endless push is very nice, especially on long journeys.  Who wants jerky gear changes, they're soooo last year!

Journo's mostly slate CVT's and I can only image that they are trying to 'rag' the car all the time, in which case I can appreciate that the high engine revs would become tiresome. 

For my car, one of big positive is it's power so big throttle inputs are rare and short lived as you'll soon be beyond the legal limit. 

I have driven a smaller capacity CT200 and any spirited throttle inputs did have the engine rev'g for much longer than I'm used to in the GS. 

The RX is a big vehicle but has good power so I suspect the CVT revs will not be as intrusive as a smaller capacity engine.

As already mentioned, you really do need to drive one and try to have have an open mind to see if it'll suit you or not.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Cheers, Lee

Phew, well done finding the cause of the issue and good to hear that not as catastrophic as some thought.

Aren't those highlighted sections part of the casting? as pad guides.

Bigger pic available within the eBay ad; https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/323850604441

I don't see any such clips within LS400 caliper service kits.

Welcome to the forum.

The GS and RX are very different, which do you think will suit you best?

Wow, lucky indeed. I wonder why the unit was advertised as spares/repair?

Welcome to the forum.

From your car history, it seems that you're a hybrid fan. Have the more recent vehicles you've owned improved over the years?

Maybe some work has been done on that door before and the lever hasn't been reconnected?

Glad you are enjoying the Lexus tho.