Tomtit

11 hours ago, Razor61 said:

The power steering specialist is Preston Power Steering, Inskip, Preston.

http://www.prestonpowersteering.co.uk/

That is useful to know. Thank you.

On 11/23/2023 at 2:32 PM, Razor61 said:

I've just had the alternator my 98 LS400 tested just in case a power steering pump leak had caused any issues, dropped it off yesterday - tested and was ok - picked it up again today so very happy.
The company is Ribblesdale Auto Electrics and it's a fairly big and busy operation, just thought I'd mention them in case anyone needs their services, and they were really helpful and professional.
Easy location for me to visit cos it's near to me but they operate a delivery/pickup service as well and they provide other services as well.

Ribblesdale Auto Electrics
Phone:   01772 796047
Website:   https://www.ribblesdale.co.uk/

Thanks for the recommendation. They are only 20 minutes away from me so I will remember them if I have an electrical problem.

Berto.

The part no. for the SC430 is 25860 46010. The part for the 2002 LS430 (same engine) is 25860 50121. I suppose either one will be OK for your car. You could check the amayama website to be sure.

I did replace the intake manifold gaskets. With all the work involved I did not want to have to do it all again in the event of a leak.

I hope you have somewhere warm to do the job away from the current sub-zero temperatures. Good luck.

Richard.

My wife has been running one for almost a year and she is happy with it. She likes the high seating position and comfortable seats. We recently carried a 2 seater settee in it. There is plenty of carrying capacity. Fuel economy is low 20's m.p.g. If you are buying one check for signs of water ingress. It can be a big job to cure it. I had to strip out all the interior to trace and rectify the leaks.

1 hour ago, John N said:

Do you mean cleaning a carbon buildup out of the engine or the catalytic converters?

I recently bought some Cataclean Petrol Fuel and Exhaust System Cleaner Catalytic Converter Additive from Ebay.

Bought two bottles and the engine certainly ran better after I used them.

The service guide for the LS430 does tell you to use a fuel additive like Red X regularly. In fact Lexus sell there own version.

I use Cataclean before each M.O.T. test. I have never failed the test on emissions.

That is a classy colour combination.

7 hours ago, Lexus_2023 said:

Yes, I agree with you. Garage guys advised me the same. Their recommendation was that if I kept the air suspension, there is a risk of potential issues with either the height sensor or suspension components, which would require frequent visits for repairs. Therefore, they advised me to opt for coil overs instead.

I read somewhere that the cost of one suspension strut was in four figures, and that there are no aftermarket suppliers. The car was sagging at one corner, and I knew the strut had failed. At 20 years old, the other three struts had a limited life expectancy. My insurers valued my car at £1100 at the time, so converting to coil springs and shock absorbers  was a no-brainer for me. I used Toyota and KYB components and my insurers did not consider it to be a modification. A good result all round.

15 hours ago, Lexus_2023 said:

Car looks much better now, ride is slightly harsher than I expected, happy with the suspension though!

 

You now have new suspension all round for the cost of a single air strut, and it should last for many years. If you had kept the air suspension you may have been wondering which component would be next to fail. I did this job on my car. I agree that the ride is not as smooth but it made sound financial sense.

I have disconnected and removed the radio/cassette/cd unit a number of times without needing to recode the radio. (Mine is a Mark Levinson unit). Disconnecting the unit from the power supply will presumably have the same effect as disconnecting the Battery. 

4 hours ago, Boomer54 said:

Well, apparently you now have some company.  I think it would be great to swap comparatives on our experiences with them albeit mine of course is so very recent. Having said which I cannot recall ever having been so enamoured of a car as I am with this one.

It is good to have a car with its own identity, unlike the modern euroboxes which all look alike and need badges to identify them. Our SCs have distinctive styling and cannot be mistaken for anything else.

22 hours ago, Boomer54 said:

Actually Stew probably take you up on that, because when we visited you my wife suggested she would really like to come down and spend a long weekend or so on the N Wales coast. She had not realised just how accessible it was from Preston.

I knew you'd polished it well just from the way the water behaved when I came to wash it. Anyway be nice to visit again. Enjoyed our chats.

You remember I said my wife never liked driving anything bigger than a mini. Well she's just started talking about driving the SC430 ! I don't like the direction that conversations going. Pity you don't have another I could give her to play with.

It is good to know that there is someone else in the Preston area with a blue SC430. I thought I was on my own.

Chris.

I was thinking parking brake shoes or sticking caliper(s). Before you strip everything down check for a stone lodged between the disc and caliper or pads, particularly if you have driven over a resurfaced road recently. Let us know how you get on. 

Chris.

If you slow down on a bend without braking does the rubbing noise slow down as well? 

This has just worked on my wife's RX300 which was showing "ERROR 4" and would not eject. Thank you for posting this.

Welcome to the SC forum.

As to 1. You need to retrieve any fault codes to point you in the right direction. The hunting may be due to an air or exhaust leak. As the seal on the fuel cap is now checked as part of the M.O.T. it would be worth replacing in any event.

2. I have not had a problem with mine. I would remove it and check the mechanism. It might need lubrication.

3. I would try spraying some grease on the hinges and check strap.

4. My key has 3 buttons and one of them opens the boot. I have read a post on this forum relating to suppliers and obtaining another key. A search should find it.

12 hours ago, Lexnew said:

My car insurance is coming up for renewal, the insurance company who I am presently insured with sent the following : 

"We're unable to give you a renewal quote for your vehicle (RX450H year 2022).

This is because our underwriting criteria is no longer being met and we are no longer able to provide insurance for this vehicle"

I was quite shocked to receive this information, I can only assume this is due to the amount of thefts that are taking place on this model of car.

I have visited on several car insurance comparison web sites and have spoken to several insurance brokers, the good news is that I can obtain insurance for my vehicle, but at a price. 

I live in a sleepy village about 40miles from London, the car is always parked on my driveway, I am retired, so the vehicle is only used for social use, my annual mileage is below average.

From what I have read on the Lexus Forum web site is that the "Can Bus" method is used to steal this type of vehicle, and I understand that Lexus are installing metal plates to the vehicle in order to help prevent this type of theft.

What surprised me is that when speaking to the insurance brokers, nobody ask the question as to weather the vehicle has this metal plate installed, I would have thought that if the insurance company was aware that the vehicle has the plate fitted, it might help to reduce the cost of the insurance.

Hopefully if enough owners of this vehicle will have the plates fitted, in the future insurance companies might take note and reduce their premiums.

 

Ian.

It might be worth asking if they will insure it if you have a Disklok fitted on the steering wheel. I believe they are a very effective anti theft device.

58 minutes ago, 2ddesign said:

This may help, follow these steps..

.

jack.

I tried this with mine and it did not work. However, your tip may help others.

11 hours ago, Lexiguy said:

The CD player does not work, the radio and cassette are fine.

 

Anthony.

Are you able to load CDs ? Is there an error message on the display ? Mine would not load and it gave error 3.

I would rather fit a new part than a used one. I have bought a number of parts from Amayama without a problem. Including carriage costs it still works out cheaper than main dealer prices. 

If you go down the second hand route, I can recommend Paul Frost. I have bought a number of parts from him.

I have the workshop manual for the 2002 model, but I don't know if the measurements will be the same for your car. Perhaps someone more knowledgeable can advise.

Brian. My next checks would be either the wiring to and from the switch or the switch itself.

Dr. Philip. Do the cd player and cassette player work?

Fusebox in passenger footwell. It is the second fuse up at the front. It is 7.5 amp and is marked "Dome" on the fusebox cover. It also controls the interior light. Obviously, if the interior light works the fuse is OK.

That is a brilliant result. Your persistence has paid off.

I told my insurers that I had found 18 online quotes of less than £250 compared to their £445. By reducing the annual mileage by 1000 and getting rid of legal cover they reduced the premium to £285. This is £4 less than last year. Bearing in mind the rate of inflation I can't complain. I did not really want to change insurers since I have taken off the air suspension and fitted coil springs and shock absorbers. Some insurers would view this as a modification and increase the premium.