BlackLex Posted December 1, 2003 Share Posted December 1, 2003 I just bought a 94 LS 400 with 125,000 mi. After I had it for about a week I noticed that the whole care tilts toward the left (drivers side) about 3/8" in front and about 3/4" in back. Could this be caused by worn suspension parts? I ran a carfax on this car and there was a minor rear end collision reported back in 97. I looked under the car and inside and out of the trucnk and everything looks good . seller told me that paint was original. This car drives great and tracks down the road straight. But I do get some suspension noise (sounds like upfront) when I hit a larger bumb usually when going slower in town driving. It may be my imagination but it seems worse when car is cold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tansupplyman Posted December 1, 2003 Share Posted December 1, 2003 Driver's side tilt is not as abnormal as you may think. Here is a way to lower the other side about 3/4" if you are interested[rod is 3/8" threaded rod]. Was a thread on this but think it is in the missing ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelsn Posted December 1, 2003 Share Posted December 1, 2003 You should get a Lexus Owners Club sticker and apply it to the passenger side. The weight of the women attracted to it should offset the tilt. See pinned post above. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCRFAN3 Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 I have a 98 LS 400 that has the same measurements, It's uncommon to see all year of LS's do this. It drove my nuts at first but you can over come it! DON'T PUT THE ROD IN THE SPRING! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tansupplyman Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 The rod is not in the spring---it is on the outside of it. And works just fine. OR you can install new springs on the drivers side,OR take the springs off the passenger side and grind off enough to drop 3/4" and then heat and flatten the end then grind a flat on it !! Rather have the rod--or even the tilt[isn't noticable anyway] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadaCraig Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 Hi BlackLex!! :) My '93 LS is also lower on the driver's side. Never really noticed it until I saw it from a distance in a Costco parking lot. I can get 4 fingers [and a bit] between the passenger side fender and the rear tire and only 3 fingers on the driver's side. It's about the same on the front. [maybe a little less] From the responses - I take it that the springs are the cause. Are they that expensive to replace? I used to have suspension noise - but that was taken car of when the sway-bar bushings were lubricated. Now it's very quiet. [even over speed-bumps - which is where the noise was most obvious] Maybe that's what you're hearing. Craig!! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tansupplyman Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 Craig--what did you lub the swaybar bushings with?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pachocco1 Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 I noticed the same noise problem on my 91. I was thinking it was the sway bar ( stabilizer ) bushings as well. I am replacing them this week once I receive them. (~$50) I didn't think to lube them. I figured anything rubber and exposed underneath this well aged car is by now hardened and not up to par. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VMF Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 does your car has an air suspension? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadaCraig Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 Craig--what did you lub the swaybar bushings with?? Hi tansupplyman!! :) Sorry - I don't know what they used. The sway bars were 'dropped' and the bushings were lubricated by someone at my Lexus service centre. They didn't replace them because there were no signs of cracks or whatever. But it was a night and day difference. That crunching sound really wasn't very nice!! Craig!! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackLex Posted December 5, 2003 Author Share Posted December 5, 2003 :) Sorry I forgot to add that my car has no air suspension. Do you think a worn bushing on the left side could be the problem with the tilting or maybe a bent control arm? I'm going to take a look myself. Thanks everybody!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tansupplyman Posted December 5, 2003 Share Posted December 5, 2003 Based on all the posts on this subject, it appears that a left tilt is not abnormal for an old 400 !!!!! Mine was almost identical to yours and I am not looking at all [and I have an Autolifter in my garage]. Don't think anyone has seen a tilt to the right; at least in the USA. Craig--just remembered: the swaybar lub should be silicone grease[made for rubber and waterproof];generally comes in small tubes. Polyurethane bushings should use Molybdenum Disulfide grease. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackLex Posted December 6, 2003 Author Share Posted December 6, 2003 ;) I took a look and everything looks good all the bushings and ball joints . I measured again and seems like about 3/8 in front 3/8 in back I can live with it I'm the only one who can notice it. I'm going to try to lube the sway bars and see if that doesn't cure the crunching sound. I bet it will! Thanks again every body I'll post after lube Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tansupplyman Posted December 6, 2003 Share Posted December 6, 2003 another grease for the bushings: White Lithium Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VBdenny Posted December 7, 2003 Share Posted December 7, 2003 anyone have a picture of how to lube the sway bar bushings? I've also noticed a little noise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackLex Posted December 8, 2003 Author Share Posted December 8, 2003 Thanks craig!!! Last night I lubed up the sway bar bushings with a silicone lubricant spray from prestone and then took my car out for a spin on the same roads that caused the sounds from my front end. Low and Behold they were gone! HURRAY!!! Cost to me ... pennies . I hope that that spray is safe for the rubber does anybody know for sure? And I wonder how long it will last? I'll keep you all posted. Love my car,Love this club Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadaCraig Posted December 8, 2003 Share Posted December 8, 2003 That's great to hear - BlackLex!! [or great NOT to hear - I guess I should say!!] Isn't it nice when something so annoying is 'cured' by doing something so simple? It doesn't happen often - but when it does.... !!! Did it say anything about bushings on the Prestone label? I'm sure it's OK. And IF that noise comes back [and it might - with only one 'shot' of lubricant] just spray it again!! I bet when you go for a drive NOW you head straight for the bumpiest roads you can find!! lol Craig!! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackLex Posted December 9, 2003 Author Share Posted December 9, 2003 B) Hey craig just noticed your 93 is black jade pearl like my 94 . Cool Color Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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