Researcher883

2006 Lexus LS430. Can someone distinguish the difference between an "A/C Filter" and a "Cabin Air Filter" and a plane "Air Filter" in specifically the 2006 LEXUS LS 430? Is the "Cabin Air Filter" the same as the "A/C Filter" and the same as the warning "Replace A/C Filter" on dashboard? Is it correct to say: 1. The "A/C Filter" is located under the hood in front right corner behind Grill and Right Front Headlight. 2. The "Cabin Air Filter" is located behind the Glove Box behind a panel which has to be removed to access it. 3. How do I "RESET" the warning light "Replace A/C Filter"? 4. Does this warning light indicate to replace both? It appears the 2006 is much different from the earlier LS430 model years like the 01, 02 and 03 Thanks Guy for all your help!

2006 LEXUS LS 430: Since my Lexus repairs were contingent on buying the car, I prevailed and only have to pay $500 towards the repair: Both Front Lower Left and Right Control Arms, Both Sway Bars and the Torsion Bar. Hurray. I hope after that there will be no more bushings or other noises/problems with the Front End. Knock on Wood. Lexus LS430's are such a pleasure to drive. They are the ultimate travel vehicle on the planet for under $80,000 new. Heck I bet they have a better than a Rolls Royce.

To me just How Labor (Repair Time) is assigned by a mechanic or Service Writer from the BOOK is not an exactly honest and true computation. For instance, Front End work: Replace both left and Right Front Control Arms - Shop time they assigned is 3.8 hours. Both the Sway Bars and Torsion Bar HAS to be removed in order to replace the Control Arms. Which 3.8 hours covers more than the time to complete. Just because the Book assigns 2 hours for the replacing the Sway Bars and Torsion Bar is a 2 hour job, why are they adding it to labor cost? You get to charge 5.8 hours for something that takes any mechanic less than 3.8 hours to complete, thus over billing the customer 65%. I don't know what other people call that, I call it plane old simple "fraud". No wonder Pep Boys and other non-Dealership repair shops say bring the estimate to us, and we will beat it. They massage the hours assigned and of courses the Price/hour labor rate. Does anyone have any experience with same example or similar? This is the "Information Age" now. I hope with the internet and clubs like ours can make a difference it helping make this good ole U S of A a less corrupt place to do business. Is there any way of UBER' izing how we get car work done and save some more money to bye our babies a new pair of shoes? Researcher883 Thanks for all your help in sharing cost-time-diagnosing online here.

I have found over the years no shop anywhere, brand name or not, dealership or chain store will have a qualified mechanic working on your front end. How does anyone seeking relief from noises and performance failures find a qualified mechanic who can exactly find every noise, creek, squeak, low rattle, creaking, loose bushings properly identify, repair and at same time not overbill the hours. When you replace Control Arms, why add another 2 hours to replace the Sway Bars, when, you have to take them off and put them on in the 3.8 hours assigned to the repair of the control arms themselves? It appears the only way to out wit any shop is to shop the estimate. They might not double dip or keep adding to labor cost. I have caught a service in an out right lie many times (although not challenging him).

Hey Randy, I am having my 2006 LS 430 Front End worked right now. I wish I could do it myself. The Labor to replace the Front Left and Right Lower Control Arms is $75/hr. @ 3.8 hours = $285.00 Labor and those Arms are Dealer Only (I have been told by 3 mechanics) now at $306.00 each. Frustrating. The problem are the bushings. Two Mechanics would not allow me to buy an $88 bushing and press out the old one and press in the new aftermarket bushing. I am also having the Left and Right Front Sway Bar links and busings replaced. Parts $430, Labor 2.0 hours @$75 = $150.00 Total $590.00. This is a good thread to start on to try to understand the problem and its costs. There are more, but, I didn't mark them. Good Luck.