cleverdick

OK, have a look at this... http://www.ebay.in/itm/The-Magnificent-imported-Lexus-LS-400-Royalty-class-and-comfort-Personified-/261230973807?pt=IN_Automobiles_2&hash=item3cd294536f Even in India it looks like they try and turn a Toyota into a Lexus by putting the wrong badge on it... Those seats look pretty nice - but are they any more comfortable than the Lexus ones? (Pity about the after-market audio system.) And are those one-piece headlights standard on Celsiors? And those zebra mats - I'd love a set of those, seen them on non-UK LSs / Celsiors, but were they ever available in the UK? Note that it doesn't have the fender pole, so possibly not a JDM model?

Sure it's not just a weak header tank cap?

The immediate giveaway is the wider rear light clusters, followed by the lack of RDS display on the audio control panel. (The radio on JDM models might not cover 88-108MHz either, by the way.) And of course, the Toyota logo on the steering wheel. (But what's that red switch by the shifter?)

By the sound of it you definitely have a sticky caliper which is causing the disc to heat up and deform. Fortunately it could just be the slide pins which should be lubricated only with Toyota "Lithium Soap Base Grease". (I got some from the dealer, it wasn't too expensive.) If your discs not too worn and the problem persists, it might be worth trying to track down a garage with a Pro-Cut lathe which machines the discs on the hub. I have an independent Rolls-Royce mechanic very near me with one, and it did work wonders on my old Granada. However, I've since lost confidence in him - I took my LS there with a tracking misalignment issue which I eventually discovered to be due to a mis-fitted lower control arm bush. (Not only did he totally fail to spot the problem, he measured the wheelbase on each side by measuring not from hub centre to centre, but wheelnut to wheelnut - which of course could have been in any position! So I've not been there again, needless to say.)

OK, I've sent it to lexls, but in the meantime if you're interested please PM me. This is on the basis that you cary out the procedure entirely at your own risk. R

Thanks guys for all your replies so far. Looks like I'll have to start writing! Just give me a few days... :) Rupert - I did post two full-width pictures of the binacle, but I think it depends what browser you're using as to whether you can see all of it. (It doesn't display full-width in Firefox at 1024 x 768.) Rgds, Rich

I also bought some "tailored" mats about 18 months ago - despite the fact that the photo showed fixing holes, there were in fact none. (It's annoying and potentially dangerous when the driver's side mat won't stay put.) Also, the material is that nylon "scouring pad" material, not proper carpet, so any bits of grass seed (or whatever) get firmly embedded. But they were at least the right shape. I've seen a few LSs for sale with deep-pile rear mats having a wavy pattern on them - I presume these were original? (The factory mats on my old '90 were just plain.)

Hi guys, I believe I've found an effective fix for this, which restores their performance and does not involve the use of conductive paint (with its inherent problems). With some care, it's doable. (And you don't even have to take the instrument cluster out!) I have to say I was mighty p****d off when a Club member, who I thought was an authority on this subject, told me it was a "trade secret". So much for club "spirit" which I thought included the free exchange of information! Therefore, I set about doing a bit of research, and when I thought I had a pretty good chance of a result I gave it a go. Fortunately it worked. I'm thinking of writing up a tutorial and sending it to the lexls guy, but is there now enough interest to make it worth doing? I mean, most people on here have moved on to 430s or 460s haven't they? P.S: Anyone else with a UK-spec '94 care to tell me if I have any warning lights missing? (I don't have the correct handbook :))

1. Possibly a dry tensioner bearing - maybe the extra load from the compressor increases the tension in the serpentine belt which is enough to stop the screeching. 2. What grade of oil are you using? (Too thin maybe?) And is your EGR pipe OK? Just a few thoughts based on guesswork...

I totally sympathise - might even be in the same situation by the end of the year. But keep the LS if you can. The overheads on running a well-sorted LS are pretty minimal, and in the long term could save you money. Don't fall into the "new roller-skates are cheaper" trap.

I can recommend a good independent in Rayleigh, Essex. But probably a hike for you that may or may not be worthwhile. Re. vibration, my own feeling is that worn suspension parts aren't the cause - possibly they'll fail to mask it as well as non-worn parts, but any cyclic vibration will be caused by a rotating part out-of-balance or sticking in some way. That is what I think you should look at first. (You may find that getting the rear brakes serviced does actually fix the vibration.)

Why is the dealer selling pattern parts? Does this mean he's fitting them to unsuspecting customers' cars and charging OEM prices? This is just the same as my local Toyota dealer saying that they use Type 4 ATF when actually it's Dexron that claims to be "equivalent". It's a huge racket, make no mistake. I also had a bad experience with KYB dampers once. They're nothing like the genuine ones - no matter what is claimed. If they don't say Toyota then they're not. Period.

I have also known old tyres to do this - even when properly balanced. Presumably it's due to uneven hardening of the compound or other such degradation. You can tell their age by the date on the sidewall, in the format WWYY. Be wary of any tyre over about 6 years old.

Not specifically, but I'm surprised that there aren't more airbag detonations caused by mobiles, wi-fi devices etc. in cars. A few years back I drove past the Daventry DAB transmitter site, and I'll tell you what - I could actually feel the RF radiation. (My gen 1 LS400 kept going, though!)

GXLs and Executives (certain models, anyway) had a logo on the rear quarter pillar much like those on your LS. (I don't know much about Mk3 LS400s; I assumed those badges were a personalised thing.)

The badging on the rear quarter pillars of your LS was the giveaway, I think. ;)

Stunning, no two ways about it! Shelldrake - good to see you're in the IAM - and did you ever own a Ford GXL or Executive by any chance? ;) Me, I was lazy and went to the local hand car wash. A fair result, but I paid the price in damage to the hubcap paint from the jet spray. :( Back in the day I used a car wax called Rain Dance - blue circular tin and a polishing pad included. Haven't seen it for years. (It made my Cortina 2000E look good, anyway.)

Well, seeing that picture of the disc is interesting. Because my 1994 LS has its wheel bearing thrust plate and nut on the back, with the bearing pressed into the steering knuckle. (Be thankful - yours is much easier to change.) Also, I don't have the two hex-headed bolts, rather two flat-headed bolts with a crosspoint recess, for which I can see two spare holes on the picture.

What is the mileage on your LS430, if you don't mind me asking?

I found, the hard way, that (for the Mk2), KYB dampers are most certainly not OEM quality. For one thing, the lower hoop (and therefore the bush) is much smaller. The ends of the tube are visible - which they are not on the proper Toyota ones. So, what further differences are there inside? I'm sorry, but too many times I've been caught by imitation parts. They just don't cut it. In fitting them, you will not only be compromising the performance and safety of the vehicle, but devaluing it too. Where genuinie parts are available, it's just a no-brainer. (Blue Print does seem OK though.)

Sure it wasn't a 4.0 Crown?

Brilliant, many thanks! (So what do I owe you, then?) :)

Anyone on here still with a gen 1 or 2? (Mine's a '94 / L) I was just hoping someone would have time over the next few days to take some detailed, close-up piccies of their: 1. throttle stop screw at rest position (the hex grubscrew with a locking nut) 2. throttle cable at rest position, particularly showing any slackness (and how much) 3. throttle cable position adjustment nuts I would also be interested to know how much of the throttle stop screw is protruding underneath the lever (but you will need a small mirror to see this). C'mon guys, it's only two bolts and a dome nut! Thanks in advance Rich

I don't know about the Mk4, but both my Mk1 & 2s had Pioneer units fitted as factory equipment - clearly denoted by the logo on the cassette flap. (US or far-eastern markets may have had Nakamichi.) I would not get too hung up about audible differences between the two brands. Each would have been designed to meet a given specification set out by Toyota. However, it would seem that UK-market units were shipped with 75uS de-emphasis in their receivers, when in fact it should be 50 (hence the dull balance on VHF reception). You are just as likely to hear a difference between similar systems of the same make, where - for example - wear/tear/degradation of foam-rubber speaker surrounds, or failing surface-mount electrolytic capacitors will have an effect of varying degree. Certainly though, the early Pioneer units seem pretty reliable. (Their ability to trim the antenna length according to frequency is also impressive, even if total overkill.)

Land Cruiser Amazon? Not a Lexus but I get where your coming from and the American 5.7 is very nice but prob way too big lol Oh, alright then... ;) But let's face it, the "difference" between Lexus and high-end Toyota is only down to marketing and perception!