Restorer

Could you not retro-fit using a reputable towbar specialist?

3 hours ago, MikeRX300 said:

John, I've got the same problem and I'm wondering what is the part no 628821480 costing £111.66? I can't find it on google

Mike

Hi Mike

Short answer is I don't know. I couldn't find any matches on eBay or google either.

I guess Autotech used only part of the number on the invoice, maybe.

I'd think that it was likely a bush kit for the rear subframe.

John

On 2/6/2024 at 8:53 PM, Russell Wheeler said:

........ Doing nothing means it will eventually rust away. The subframes should not rust out from the inside, if they have then it would have failed the MOT. The advisory must be for rust they can see (ie on the outside of the subframes). At 17/18 years old, you do need to expect they will be rusting underneath. Some older RX300 owners have had to have new subframes (or scrap the car)

About a year ago my 2004 RX300 failed on rear subframe (amongst other things).

I found this place that imports cars from Japan to break for parts.

I got a subframe for £360. It was corrosion-free.

15 hours ago, Keeling54 said:

The underside of mine is fine at the front but unbelievably rotten at the rear. If I keep it going I can see it needing a new rear subframe at some point soon. 

Had a new rear subframe on my RX300 (53 plate) earlier this year at MOT time.

Got a second hand one from a company that imports breakers from Japan (no salt). Still cost me around total fitted £1500 all told.

Possibly a partially blocked heater matrix. You could try reverse flushing it.

Check your reg here:

https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone/cars?intcmp=52215

Petrol cars made after 2005 are generally compliant. I think yours should be. If so, challenge the charge notice.

My 2004 RX300 is compliant.

So is my 2004 Jaguar XJ Super V8

Very pleased to have the RX back on the road. Perversely, it went in the garage on the day snow covered the roads (I live in the Peak District) and came out a few days later when all the snow melted, leaving me to try to get around in a Jaguar X350 XJ Super V8. I can confirm that rear wheel drive, fat tyres and 430bhp don't do well in snow!

Here's a photo of the pain 😉:

https://i.postimg.cc/Nf7PwyD1/IMG-0373.jpg

On 2/28/2023 at 2:20 PM, eleveneleven said:

Great find, good job you didn't have to spend £1600+ to get it back on the road. 

Hope the fix goes well. 

I fear your congratulations may be a bit premature Lee!

Subframe £350, day's labour to change everything over )£600?+vat. cost of bushes, waxoil, then the fuel filler corrosion to be dealt with.

Not looking forwards to the final bill. Still, happy to have the car.

On a sadder note my local lpg outlet (1/2 mile from home) has ceased to sell it. Means the nearest two are both about 10 miles away: at least they are in opposite directions. 

On 2/26/2023 at 3:56 PM, steve2006 said:

Good to hear, if you’re changing all the bushings you could even have it blasted and power coated first.

Did you get your dog to open the box or was it more of a kid with a Christmas present moment for you 😀

Thought about the powder coating but cost around £150 more so instead will wax oil (or something) it.

Packaging was effective but a bit of a dog's dinner. Having said that it wasn't my dog that opened it

[url=https://postimg.cc/670mrtQZ][img]https://i.postimg.cc/pTbMtdbs/IMG-6864.jpg[/img][/url]

Bit of a slash with a Stanley as I needed to get a photo, send it to the garage and get back sharpish to a desk I was French polishing.

Got my replacement subframe. No rust at all, been properly degreased. Needs new bushes.

From Nissan Auto Spares. £360 including P&P

My good friends I am happy to report that I found a subframe for £120 via Synetiq, but I’ve bought one for £300+p&p from nipponautospares.com who, as steve2006 helpfully pointed out, import breakers from Japan so the subframe will never have been exposed to road salt. 
This, various bushes, the fuel inlet pipe and a new set of tyres and the old girl will have a new lease of life. 
For the last few weeks I’d been noticing every time I drove it how smooth the drivetrain was in operation. I’m very pleased to be keeping it. 
 

Thanks to all of you for your help and interest. 
😊

5 hours ago, Djwbiker said:

Is it worth getting a second opinion from an experienced auto welder?

Second hand subframe etc sounds a very expensive solution.

 

‘My’ welder flitted 2 months ago and I don’t know another (good) one round here at the moment. 

1 hour ago, steve2006 said:

Problem with a used subframe ( if you can find one!) is that it has probably been subjected to the same unkind UK climate and road salt as yours so in a similar condition.

The link below is for an import breakers (think Toyota Harrier) who may be able to help supply a decent one off an imported model.

https://nipponautospares.com/rx300-45-c.asp

Thanks. Point about condition is a good point. 
mill contact nipponautospares. 

You make a good point re reasons for keeping it. I had thought that way myself. To replace the car would likely be £4K upwards really. 
 

I’ll try lexuspartsdirect (if I haven’t already). Thanks for the tip. 
subframes seem to be as rare as hens’ teeth!

My much loved 53MY RX300 has just failed its MOT due to corrosion of rear subframe. It’s not weldable. The car is  ‘cosmetically challenged’, needs a respray and I use it for work (I’m a furniture restorer) - it pulls my trailer. I had an LPG dual fuel system fitted 3 years ago.

I’ve always spent whatever it took to maintain it but it seems Lexus want £700 + vat a new subframe, then there’s fitting costs plus bushes, plus wheel bearing to be done. It’s just coming up to 160K miles. 

it drives beautifully but although it’s very hard to justify spending £1600+ on it perhaps if I could get hold of a second hand subframe I could keep hold of the car. 

Am I right in thinking that subframes are the same for all RX models?
 

Can any of you point me to any Lexus breakers or second hand parts dealers? Or somewhere that retails good none-Lexus parts without the excessive prices Lexus ask?

TIA

There you go:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185779288517?hash=item2b414ef9c5:g:73IAAOSwztVj7dOS&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAoFelTFswKEuJyHWG4OR%2Bfy62QLEah%2BIwKetrVyg6otCrFpG%2B9OojFq9eHPZiwhuzTB1yH1waUFUztBWCncoTkFpXIBC5Vrp6ve8RSmAFyh0zRU8kFz%2F4ujl3O0KzCt%2F7matend1O6sk9o1nT9x1KVX0RckIIZWUB3Maouc13mrgfN3gnKEYPR7tnnRNd68Zib2E9703l3hXFp1yiYGdmQE0%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR47e8bbLYQ

On 9/19/2022 at 10:11 AM, ColinBarber said:

Look up on toyodiy.com using your VIN.

Thanks Colin. Will do.

Does nobody know?

It's a '53 plate, not a '54

Hi.

Had a bit of work done on the old girl: parking sensors replaced, new water pump and cam belt, new rear shock absorbers and springs and O/S rear hub ball joint.

I also asked them sort out the fuel level sender unit as the gauge drops from 1/4 full to empty each time.

The garage said they'd got one from Lexus but it wasn't the correct one and Lexus said that's all they had.

I can find plenty on eBay but there are several different numbers.

Does anyone know if a specific part number is relevant for a '54 plate RX300, or how I can determine it?

TIA.

John

23 hours ago, steve2006 said:

IIRC there are no such things as Lexus or Toyota discs, they may come in a nice Toyota box but manufactured by a 3rd party supplier perhaps Mintex or Ferrodo.

If you want OEM LPD our resident parts dealer has both sets on offer at the moment with a decent discount.

3rd party choices are Mintex and other branded products, obviously for safety reasons avoid any unbranded eBay offerings with a lifetime warranty and guaranteed to warp and squeal within 500 miles.

 

 

Thanks Steve.

Getting to be about time for new discs on the RX300.

Are Lexus discs the only realistic option, or are there Toyota branded parts that would be just as good, but cheaper?

Update (belated!)

Been running the RX on lpg for nigh on 3 months now. As Autogas is defunct nowadays I was initially a little concerned that there would be no map of lpg outlets nor an app. However, I have been guided to an app - myLPG.eu - which is excellent. Shows you locations in your area wherever you are, price at the pump when last confirmed, date pump was last confirmed as used by an app user. Lets you confirm, and change, retail price with one click whenever you fill up anywhere. I'm pleased with it.

Have only run out of lpg once, ran on petrol for 40 miles or so.

On 5/2/2021 at 5:03 PM, Herbie said:

 

My guy didn't use a system or 'kit' from one manufacturer, preferring instead to 'mix and match' to create the best possible system for the car.

About 17 or 18 years ago (maybe longer) when I first looked into LPG it was a complete minefield. You perhaps found a great installer with a great reputation but then found out that he was only fitting one system, and when asked if they could guarantee that it would work well on my car they couldn't.

The other side of the coin was also true in that you may find the perfect system for any given car but the only people fitting it weren't the best and had poor reputations.

It took me a good six months of constant looking and researching to find a competent installer who would guarantee the system he was going to fit would be up to the job and then some. He was true to his word and he did a brilliant job and the car performed superbly. I would have used him again but by the time I needed another installation doing, he'd retired.

It's about 6 years since I last had a conversion done and we traded that car in 3 years ago so I can't remember what he used on it, but it was like a breath of fresh air to find someone who actually had enough skill and knowledge to make a bespoke system for any given car.

I enjoyed running LPG, it had plenty of advantages. However, even though it's technically possible to convert a hybrid I'd never be brave enough to have it done; why add another layer of complexity to something that's already very complex anyway?

 

I found a guy up in Yorkshire a couple of years ago who was a good engineer and would tailor-make a system, but I used a guy in Manchester that I've known as a customer for years. I trust his work although he's solely BRC. Too far to the Yorkshire guy for me this time.

So I've got a BRC system with the electronic lubrication system fitted alongside.

I picked it up yesterday morning. In the evening, after Tae Kwon Do, it wouldn't start. Turned over busily but no hint of firing. Oh, how I cursed Karl (lpg fitter guy). So I called Green Flag and settled down to wait/freeze. Finally I worked out it was a problem with my key! Got the spare out - fortunately had it with me - and vroom, vroom, off we went. Sorry Karl for doubting you.

On 5/2/2021 at 4:26 PM, serbarry said:

Is it BRC or Landi maybe?

BRC