SnesleyWipes

95 ES300. For the last week or so I have been trying to find the source of a rattling sound which sometimes seemed to come from the front and sometimes from the rear. Noticeable only at low speeds, especially when next to a barrier or wall. Well, after checking just about everything else, the source turned out to be that 3 of the 4 little plastic covers over the lug nuts were loose enough to rattle around. Must have been a ham-handed technician who rotated the tires last time - less than a month ago, in fact.

Anyone have an idea how to fix this? Blob of rubber cement or some such on the tabs?

This happened to mine. Just take off the caps and apply slight outward pressure to each metalic tab and snap it back on. It will restore the tight fit it previously had.

Hope that helps,

Snes

So today I decided it's about time I replaced the spark plugs. No other issues so I'll do it myself this time. On such a normally easy item I need advice! How the devil do you get to #3 and #5 plugs? Roll the engine? Any advice appreciated.

Steve

You need to get an elbow for your ratchet, and an extension. Then just stick your arm way in there and go to town! No engine removal required.

Just bought my lexus and the center caps on the wheels are making noise. How do i fix this. Yes, they are loose is there any way to tighten them up??

Also have a little bit of MPG issue just ran sea foam thru today.

Going to clean out all of the air flow sensors tomorrow Any other pointers

The O2 sensor if replaced. does it matter what kind i use? Dont give me only oem crap cause its a generic sensor

OK, take them off...then just add enough pressure outward to each prong (tab) to move them ~1mm all the way around. This will ensure a tighter fit on your wheel. If the cap is hard to snap back in, make sure the prongs are directed to the center and punch it in. You will have no more noise.

I would.

Can't hurt and will only help.

"gotta do the blue" (the Brake Quiet I have is blue)

steviej

Will do, thanks for the help Stevie!

I bought them from Toyota and they came in the Toyota box. They were green in the back, and I think black in the front. Part# 04465-33060 for the front. The noise seems to only come at very very low mph, like when I am parking and seems to be coming from the front.

My toyo/lex pads had a blue backing, but no matter.

When you put them on, in addition to the shims did you use Brake Quiet or some other type noise reducing goop?

steviej

Nope, should I redo them?

what kind of pads did you use? Toyota/Lexus OEM or another brand?

Ceramic or semi-metallic?

semi-metallic will make noise like that.

steviej

I bought them from Toyota and they came in the Toyota box. They were green in the back, and I think black in the front. Part# 04465-33060 for the front. The noise seems to only come at very very low mph, like when I am parking and seems to be coming from the front.

I recently put new pads all the way around my ES with factory pads. Ran normal at first, then about 1 month later I get a really high pitches squeeeeek when I slowly come to a stop <10mph. If i'm hauling &#33;Removed&#33; and stop quickly, I notice no noise. I am pretty sure I put the shims back in exactly the same place I took them off but still cant figure out the squeak. Can anybody help?

Thx,

Snes

WD40!!!

That was a sweet video. Looked like an automatic tranny also. Whats with that disclaimer at the end of the video though?

Generally a moonroof is glass, a sunroof is metal. The terms are used interhchangably though.

^^^^ What he said. Moonroof=glass, sunroof=opaque!

Hey guys, i was just wondering if you think the new wheels from the SC430's that are dark grey, would look good on my 95 es300 that is black with grey on bottom? I'll try to leave some pictures of what im talking about below. And if anyone could do a photoshop for me i would greatly appreciate it. ( btw. would they even fit?)

Well, heres a quick photoshop. Since we have the same ride I just used mine since I had a better perspective to work with.

Enjoy!

And my "attempt" with yours!

Snes

hi all I have a question on a power window regulator on a 92 lexus es300. my power window regulator won't bring the passenger window up but will bring will roll it down. As a result the passenger window is all the way down and I can't get it to come up. my question is could the power window regulator/motor gone out even though it rolled the window down . If so how do I manually bring the window up temporarily.

You need to disconnect the motor from the regulator. If I remember there is 3 bolts. Then you can pull the window up and support it with wood or something long until you can replace the regulator. Check the motor by connecting the power supply and use the up/down button (unbolted from regulator). The motor RARELY goes out.

Hope this helps!

Find the sway bar and trace it from one side of the car to the other. You will find 2 "U" shaped metal brackets that are about 15" or so from the wheels (towards the middle of the car). Inside these metal brackets are the rubber bushings. IIRC the bushings are rounded on one end and squared on the other with a slit in between to slide the sway bar into them. There are 2 bolts that hold each metal bracket in place. Remove the bolts, slide the metal brackets off then remove the bushings. Put the new ones on and slide the metal brackets back in place and bolt them on and you're done.

You'll notice that on the new bushings there is a series of rubber ridges that run around the inside part that makes contact with the sway bar. The ridges on the old bushings will probably be worn down which is why they are making noise.

Does the car need to be jacked or anything during this procedure?

Cool it Snesley. No need to get hot under the collar.

I have to agree with Jrag on this one. The tech made an honest mistake, I see nothing wrong with an honest mistake as long as they're willing to rectify it without a lot of hassle since I make honest mistakes too. If they refused to fix the issue or gave you a lot of hassle about it that would be one thing, but that doesn't seem like the case here.

Hell, 3 months ago the dry cleaner ruined my favorite suit, dropped it into the conveyor belt. $1200 suit. The manager called me, apologized, and immediately offered to buy me a comparable suit. Sure, I was bummed about my suit but I wasn't angry at them for making a mistake since they were willing to own up to it and rectify it.

You'll find getting angry like this will get you *nowhere* in life. This is all just business, and if your approach these kinds of things in a calm businesslike manner you will find great people that have earned your business to take care of the things we all need people to take care of (mechanics, plumbers, dry cleaners etc). People are just people.

And anyways, if the master tech and manager you like and trust moved to another shop why not follow them?

*sigh* Ya I know. My avatar probably makes me look worse! I really don't look like that. I just have a hard time dealing with stuff like this, especially after mentioning it right before the procedure. I work in a hospital pharmacy where errors are not tolerated, so my threshold for snapping might be a little premature for most. In any case, the purpose of this was to find out if the switch back to red would be an issue or not.

And yes I did recieve a call from both the manager and master tech notifying me of their whereabouts. After I get my flush, I will put that place behind me.

Oh and thank you Skperformance!

I went to my service guys :chairshot: (under new management) and they put in a brand new radiator that I purchased. I reiterated the importance of Toyota red coolant as opposed to green and verified that was what they were going to put in. Well, I bought a new radiator cap today, removed the old and sure as , green coolant ! I am *BLEEP*ed off! I will chew them out Monday first thing but what can I do now? I heard you are not supposed to mix the two and I want red back in. I honestly do not want them touching the car after that. Does anyone know how to flush DIY. Is this system permanantly residualized with the green coolant now or can I run hose water for an hour thru the system to clean it then switch to red? If so, please link me to instructions.

Thanx for letting me vent!

Snes

All they're obligated to do is to use coolant which meets Lexus specs. They presumably did that.

If you wanted something different, you should have written it on the service write up. If you did that, take it back and have them do what you requested. If you didn't write it up, you're SOL.

Like I mentioned previously, I did discuss using "red" with the guy and I figured a verbal was good as gold. In any case, I did call them this morning and mentioned what I stumbled upon and they agreed to flush it and use the red. I have been going to them for years but the manager and master tech that used to work there went to Autonation. So after these idiots flush my radiator (for free), they will never see me again. I am still frustrated though. Do you all think I should have them flush, and then take it for another reflush, or will one do?

Let's see:

1. You didn't specify anything in writing. The guy who wrote up your order isn't the one who does the work. If it's not on the paper, it doesn't get in the hands of the person doing the work.

2. Both colors of coolant meet Lexus specs. There's no reason to think that one is any better than the other.

3. The shop agreed to flush your system and replace the fluid, anyway. Sounds like they're going above and beyond the call of duty to try to make them happy.

4. You continue to call them idiots and say you'll never do business with them again.

Seems to me that you're the one being awfully unreasonable here.

Well, I have been getting outstanding service there for years. The previous manager and master tech know exactly how particular I am to detail and they have always exceeding my expectations. Both of them have EXTENSIVE knowledge about Toys and Lex's and have serviced them for 15+ years each. The gentlemen who runs the place now claims to have trained the previous manager but appears to posess about 1/10th of the knowledge of him. This place always repairs/maintains my vehicle to manufacturer spec and only Toyota brand parts. My vehical specifically calls for "red". For me even to verify with him initially shouldn't be necessary but like I said, I am particular to detail. So I do not think I am being unreasonable. They are not going above and beyond, they are simply correcting their mistake. Business is business.

Good day sir,

Kenny

Let's say you're right. They made an honest mistake and are now correcting it.

You're bad-mouthing them all over the place and calling them idiots - and taking your business somewhere else.

Again, you're the one being unreasonable.

Ok slim listen up, I talked to these "idiots" today and expressed my concerns. He didn't even know the Toyota recommendation for coolant. This is a Toyota/Lexus repair shop! I told him, "I discussed with you before hand to only use Toyota red coolant." He told me, "uh, we usually just put in what was in before." Well, I guess he must of missed the PINK spray all over the engine bay from my previous radiator blow up! And he must of missed the RED COOLANT on my previous radiator flush invoice. And he must of missed RED COOLANT on the invoice he billed me on this invoice!!! Unreasonable? How many monkeys does it take to flush a radiator correctly?!

I went to my service guys :chairshot: (under new management) and they put in a brand new radiator that I purchased. I reiterated the importance of Toyota red coolant as opposed to green and verified that was what they were going to put in. Well, I bought a new radiator cap today, removed the old and sure as , green coolant ! I am *BLEEP*ed off! I will chew them out Monday first thing but what can I do now? I heard you are not supposed to mix the two and I want red back in. I honestly do not want them touching the car after that. Does anyone know how to flush DIY. Is this system permanantly residualized with the green coolant now or can I run hose water for an hour thru the system to clean it then switch to red? If so, please link me to instructions.

Thanx for letting me vent!

Snes

All they're obligated to do is to use coolant which meets Lexus specs. They presumably did that.

If you wanted something different, you should have written it on the service write up. If you did that, take it back and have them do what you requested. If you didn't write it up, you're SOL.

Like I mentioned previously, I did discuss using "red" with the guy and I figured a verbal was good as gold. In any case, I did call them this morning and mentioned what I stumbled upon and they agreed to flush it and use the red. I have been going to them for years but the manager and master tech that used to work there went to Autonation. So after these idiots flush my radiator (for free), they will never see me again. I am still frustrated though. Do you all think I should have them flush, and then take it for another reflush, or will one do?

Let's see:

1. You didn't specify anything in writing. The guy who wrote up your order isn't the one who does the work. If it's not on the paper, it doesn't get in the hands of the person doing the work.

2. Both colors of coolant meet Lexus specs. There's no reason to think that one is any better than the other.

3. The shop agreed to flush your system and replace the fluid, anyway. Sounds like they're going above and beyond the call of duty to try to make them happy.

4. You continue to call them idiots and say you'll never do business with them again.

Seems to me that you're the one being awfully unreasonable here.

Well, I have been getting outstanding service there for years. The previous manager and master tech know exactly how particular I am to detail and they have always exceeding my expectations. Both of them have EXTENSIVE knowledge about Toys and Lex's and have serviced them for 15+ years each. The gentlemen who runs the place now claims to have trained the previous manager but appears to posess about 1/10th of the knowledge of him. This place always repairs/maintains my vehicle to manufacturer spec and only Toyota brand parts. My vehical specifically calls for "red". For me even to verify with him initially shouldn't be necessary but like I said, I am particular to detail. So I do not think I am being unreasonable. They are not going above and beyond, they are simply correcting their mistake. Business is business.

Good day sir,

Kenny

I went to my service guys :chairshot: (under new management) and they put in a brand new radiator that I purchased. I reiterated the importance of Toyota red coolant as opposed to green and verified that was what they were going to put in. Well, I bought a new radiator cap today, removed the old and sure as , green coolant ! I am *BLEEP*ed off! I will chew them out Monday first thing but what can I do now? I heard you are not supposed to mix the two and I want red back in. I honestly do not want them touching the car after that. Does anyone know how to flush DIY. Is this system permanantly residualized with the green coolant now or can I run hose water for an hour thru the system to clean it then switch to red? If so, please link me to instructions.

Thanx for letting me vent!

Snes

All they're obligated to do is to use coolant which meets Lexus specs. They presumably did that.

If you wanted something different, you should have written it on the service write up. If you did that, take it back and have them do what you requested. If you didn't write it up, you're SOL.

Like I mentioned previously, I did discuss using "red" with the guy and I figured a verbal was good as gold. In any case, I did call them this morning and mentioned what I stumbled upon and they agreed to flush it and use the red. I have been going to them for years but the manager and master tech that used to work there went to Autonation. So after these idiots flush my radiator (for free), they will never see me again. I am still frustrated though. Do you all think I should have them flush, and then take it for another reflush, or will one do?

Hello,

I don't want to start talk about Green or Red coolant.

All i knows, it's Ethylene Glycol.

I will be very mad, if i requested that idiot to use red and he agreed, then you get green.

If I were you and picky, I do it by self. Drives for 1-2 days, and do it again (another $16) that will change completly from system.

Sorry to hear the bad news.

Ya I am pretty *BLEEP*ed but hopefully no permanent damage has been inflicted. I would like to do it myself but have limited knowledge in that arena. I do have the "Merry Christmas" service manuals, but would still like to see a DIY from a different perspective.

I went to my service guys :chairshot: (under new management) and they put in a brand new radiator that I purchased. I reiterated the importance of Toyota red coolant as opposed to green and verified that was what they were going to put in. Well, I bought a new radiator cap today, removed the old and sure as , green coolant ! I am *BLEEP*ed off! I will chew them out Monday first thing but what can I do now? I heard you are not supposed to mix the two and I want red back in. I honestly do not want them touching the car after that. Does anyone know how to flush DIY. Is this system permanantly residualized with the green coolant now or can I run hose water for an hour thru the system to clean it then switch to red? If so, please link me to instructions.

Thanx for letting me vent!

Snes

I felt bad enough that he handed over $4500 with no negotiation, however, the guy has broken the law by driving without a license & insurance and was more than willing to pay me extra to keep me from dialing 911. I hope he has learned his lesson. Whats distrubing is the thought of how many people are in fact driving with suspended licenses these days; not right at all...

so basically you are saying that you got paid to keep from blowing the whistle, yet you comment about the disturbing thought of how many people drive with suspended liscenses. :whistles:

one way to stop them is to turn them in.

The only lesson he learned is that he can stay out of trouble if he pays enough money.

As for getting taillights, if you got $4500 from the guy, why cheap out on ebay, just order brand new lights from any on-line dealership.

www.newlexusparts.com

www.irontoad.com

www.lexus-parts.com

steviej

Keep in mind, "the whistle" probably has been blown on this guy already. Peeps like him will continue to drive unlawfully after being told they are not supposed to. Calling the cops on this guy will only inconvenience the victim and the offender will continue to drive without insurance. Unless you physically restrain him, he will drive. I think $4500 is good punishment. Heck, I would rather recieve a check on the spot than having to go thru insurance companies.

I've been trying to locate the 00-01 tail light assembly set but am having trouble finding the entire set for sale. I've looked on ebay and other auto sites. Most people are just selling the far end left/right parts. Haven't called the dealer yet but are there any other spots I can look at?? Thanks again.

Tap Recycling

you should use part of the $4500 to pay for your rental while your car is in the shop.

The big question is when all is done and paid for........if there is any money left are you going to return it to him?

hmmmmm? scratches head.

steviej

Ahaha....NO! Consider the extra cash dividends for those whose rates are jacked up because of "no-insurance-carrying" drivers like him. Its severance pay! :chairshot:

Hmm, so I wouldn't even have to replace the entire bumper??? Can the body shop just pop the dent out and repaint the surface??? I am also thinking about replacing the taillight on my own. What do you guys think??

That bumper could be refinished and painted, but it might look crappy cuz no body shop will bondo that flexable material. You could probably get that same bumper if you call Tap Recycling and maybe lights as well well under a grand. Then take your lady out and laugh all the way to the bank!

OOPS!

Well guys, had my first accident today. Some dude in his Toyota Tundra slammed into the rear of my 98 ES300. He dented the rear bumper badly and also cracked one of my taillights. Check this out though, the dude has a suspended license and desperatly begged for me not to call the police. He was sooo nervous and surprisingly offered me $4500 for the damages. I accepted the offer but wanted to check with you guys to see if this was actually worth it. How much is it going to cost to replace my entire rear bumper and 1 of my rear taillights??? If the $4500 doesnt cover the costs I will call him for additional funds. I'll try and post pics tonight. Thanks guys.

That sounds like more than enough. Poor sap!