pipo8

The key to emblem removal is PATIENCE.

The front grille "L" is easy-Lift the hood-Just need a phillips screwdriver to loosen the screw and remove the logo.

Removing the grille trim requires a #10 socket and saving a lot of screws.  Easy.

The rear "L" and "LEXUS" logo take the most work, since they have adhesive and  studs which stick into pre-drilled holes on the trunk lid.  The studs on the back of the emblems also have grommets which make them fit securely in the holes.  If you live in a high temperature area, like I do, the secret is to use a regular screwdriver with the tip covered with duct tape-to protect the finish.  Pull up a lawn chair, and slowly work the logo off.  Little bit at  a time.  Drink a beer, wedge it a little more-and more.  It will work.  Now if you live in Antarctica type places-like Massachusetts-you need to heat the area with a blow dryer for a while.  The key is to prevent cracking of the plastic logo, and heat always helps..  One of the Senior members of LOC recommends using dental floss to loosen the adhesive-good idea, but the studs are still in the way, too.

To reinstall, I just used contact cement.  It's not like I'll be replacing logos too often on a 10 year old car.  But refinished gold logos sure look great on my white/grey Lexi.  Plus the grille.

Good luck, Pipo8.

super! don't think i need to use a blow dryer in southern cal this time of the year.

many thanks!

fyi.

i've bought a new aftermarket foglamp ($123 at rockauto.com) and easily installed onto the bumper within 5 mins.

the wire hook-up easily connects to the back of the new lamp and there's a built in screw also on the back side of the lamp that fits thru the hole in the bumper where the lamp is housed. the lamp snaps right into place and i've used the original hex nut to tighten the screw which is easily accessable from underneath the bumper through a protective undersheet.

great info. i've never removed emblems before. what's the best way to remove and reinstall w/o damaging them?

thanks.

Just an update:

I took SK's advice and cleaned the IACV with throttle body cleaner. I didn't even have to remove it to clean it. I just took off the air filter hose, and was careful with a new cloth rag. I bought some cleaner that's made to spray inside as well. After cleaning, the car runs absolutely perfect.

Cleaning the IACV took about 20 min for an immaculate job and $3 in cleaner. It's so worth it, I would do it on any higher mileage car that showed the simptoms of hesitating when starting, or even slow, irregular, or rough idle.

GREATE ADVICE SK! Thanks for the tip.

-Jimi

great info! i have the same problem every now and then. what type of cleaner spray was it?

Thanks.

i've lost the driver side fog lamp and am planning to get a used replacement, but before i do i would like to make sure that i can install it when i get it. the wiring plug behind the lost lamp is still good. without having the lamp physically yet, is it just a matter of plugging in the wiring to the lamp and snap the lamp into place underneath the front bumper? please advise if anyone has any idea.

Thanks.

Are you planning on replacing the grill?  If so, are you replacing it with an aftermarket grill?  I have looked everywhere and there are no aftermarket grill kits for any ES300's.

i was just looking for a 1997 es300 grille and found some on rockauto.com with reasonable price. i think those are aftermarket parts. i have also found some used grille on car-part.com.