lenore

As for the power steering you can replace a great deal of it just by taking a turkey baster and sucking the fluid out of the resevoir. put it in an old clorox bottle of your choice and then refill with a good quality fluid (I used Mobil 1 synthetic transmission fluid available at Walmart) The if you do this a couple of times in a week the fluid will come back to its red color and it will cost you less than $14 for the fluid.

Yea, the guy who was supposed to clean the gutter was out, and the street cleaner was not allowed to touch the gutter (union rule) and the sidewalk guy cant touch the others jobs. and it goes on and on. When I was in the Navy I used to do everything, then I went on a ship and it is set up like a union, the same job that took me 30 minutes would literally take days, because I would have to go through all of the proper shops. Cant touch my tools, that is the rules. man they took all the fun out of being in the Navy, I remember when I could do a project from start to finish....Just a little example of what they did to our society.

You want to see many parts of this country go into a depression? I'm not for a "bailout" but I do think the government needs to take part in some sort of restructuring that can work for them. Where does it end? Who's next? There are a lot of important industries that employ a lot of people and who are hurting just as badly. Why should they receive any less consideration from the government? The lineup to the trough gets longer every day. One advantage to a bankrupcy is that contracts are voided and new ones can be drawn up. Of course this stiffs the suppliers but cancels the union contracts. Perhaps unencumbered of their current shackles and with a broadened perspective of the circumstances that brought them to this point, new owners/management/investors will have a cogent plan under which intelligent restructuring can take place. In this scenario, well placed financial aid from the government contingent upon efficient production of viable products, might make sense. Here's an idea, howbout some capital investment from Big Oil. With the all time record profits in the history of the US they've been squeezing out of joe consumer, and their recent cutbacks to exploration projects, their coffers must be overflowing. It would mean giving back, the honourable way to show concern for a nation in economic distress. Of course this would presume that Big Oil has any Honour to begin with. I say throwing good money after bad only serves to indicate that either panic has taken root at the highest level, or the payoffs continue, obfuscated by a well crafted cloud of fear and confusion. Where is all this money going exactly? If the recent AIG California resort junket is any indication, the wolf is guarding the chicken coop! Also look for Chrysler, otherwise known as DEAD BRAND WALKING, to become a takeover target of the Chinese! Ahmen......

You want to see many parts of this country go into a depression? I'm not for a "bailout" but I do think the government needs to take part in some sort of restructuring that can work for them. Oh yea, let goverment take care of it like they did the Social Security System, the Health system, The border security, the welfare system (that has created 4 generations of handouts) Oh yea they are pro's at fixing things. Are you crazy. Let the darn companies file for bankruptcy and let some good come out of the restructuring. Giving these handouts is just bad money thrown in to a deep hole of no return. The Unions which are ran like a welfare system are what caused a great deal of the failure. Giving everybody fantastic wages, whether they work or not (Socialism) There is no incentive for these folks to perform or excell. As for restructuring, well that is what the courts are for.....let it happen. Throw the bums out....

The warranty was 8 years 120 days. Good luck, by the way I have 157k miles but use a class 4 synthetic. Castrol 0-30 european formula is such a synthetic. Also Amsoil, and some Mobil 1.....My neighbor had only 51k miles on his highlander and the engine is sludged, maintenance performed by Toyota on schedule. But dino oil..... As for the tranny drain and fills every 15k miles, but not a flush....

CTM2 (communications Technical maintenance) US Navy Tom Keen Stationed: San Diego, Treasure Island, Fort Meade Maryland, Hanza Okinawa, Rota Spain, USS Saratoga CV60, Portsmouth Virginia, Elder Creek Naval Reserve Center.....6 years active, 2 years reserves.....1968-1974 and 1986-1988...........

Read this thread, it is old but long, I just want you to know MY 99 RX is on its third transmission and I am the original owner. It was serviced three times before the failure at 100k miles. I love the car, but just want to warn folks, and let them make their own decisions. http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...opic=13162&

Man, was this car a salvage, or flood car????

Avoid the 99 to 2002. Great cars, but the transmisson are very weak, Personally I would suggest a RX330 or an Accura MDX...

You can tell if you have the tow package by looking in the passenger wheel well and look through slits in the panel in front of the wheel. If you see slits and a cooler, than it has the tranny part of the tow package. Another view would be to look through the hole under the bumper, you will see the windshield washer bottle bottom, and behind that the cooler radiator. You would probably need a flashlight. Personally I have friends that did tow a tent trailer and the tranny lasted 150k miles, but almost all of the miles were highway. The stop and go type driving is murder on the RX tranny. The overdrive is constantly searching in city traffic. I have lost my tranny, and would personally not tow with this vehicle, although I have the tow package. The Transmission is nothing more than a Toyota Camry tranny and is the weakest link on the RX which is a heavier vehicle. I would do frequent drain and fills on the tranny if you do tow. DO NOT do a flush, from a lot of reading, it could spell death to the transmission if you have not had it serviced regularily. There is a tremendous amount of post of the RX300 transmission, be forwarned.

You may have a bad knock sensor or wiring. The wiring is under the intake manifold and could be shorting or breaking. The other possibility is bad gas causing poor running and the knock sensor to detect spark or timing knock. here is info on the knock sensor and wiring: http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...sor+replacement

Just remember one thing if taxes are raised we will go into a deep depression. That is what happened after the crash of 1929 and we may be doomed for a repeat. My faith in this government democrat or republican is at a all time low. Fiscal conservative are hard to find inside the beltway, if they exist at all. Our wonderful government seems to think that John Q Public is an infinite resourse of tax revenue with no repercussions. God Bless America....

Read this post on the RX300, it may give you some ideas as to adding a universal lock cylinder or it may overwhelm you with the degree of mechanical expertise you need. I did this on my RX300 and it works great. That is after replacing the lock cylinder about 5 years ago. The universal is a great deal cheaper but requires some mechanical skills and creativity. http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...c=41219&hl=

I did the repair, and yes hooking up the rod to the original actuator was difficult to understand. Also mine had a split arm where as the original had a arm with a hole in it. I had to add some expoxy to hold the rod in place. Knock on wood mine has worked fine since. If I do mine again I will take pictures.

Some of the aftermarket belts do not have the same v angle and will squeel. The other thing is the proper tensioning of the belts. You should not be able to twist the belt further than 90 degrees from its resting position, if so it is too loose... try reading this post for the procedure: http://www.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=272697

Well said, RXNC I am afraid our government and most of my fellow Americans have failed to live within their means. I have cut back a great deal in the last three years, but I am afraid I am too guilty of not controlling my expenses. Most of the time it is an emotional thing (family needs, etc) but I am doing well, considering I wake up, and take care of my grandchild everyday Monday thru Friday. The future of our nation is riding on whom gets us to turn around and become proud, self sufficient Americans again. Government will not do that....however they can like the cancer in our society continue to support bad behavior....until they cut off the umbilical cord, these children(adults) will never be weaned from the cash cow called government.

Unfortunately, because of Clintons a house for everyone, and the sub prime mortgage crap, my 401k and everyone else's wont have much left for the government to take. I stand corrected on that, but The Democrats through committee meetings have this in their sites, as they know the money is running out, and it just kills them to see these huge sums in the hands of Americans. The checks and balances in our government may dissappear with this election, the only solution is a third party that can counter the two that have become so alike. Hey working at Walmart may be my option....

I would not recommend a flush, but a drain and fill, or a fluid exchange were it is replaced as you add it. Changing the filter is a must.

Obama's support of the government taking from the rich and giving to the masses, and calling it a stimulus check, particularily those of whom do not work is crazy. that is like Me saying steve, I dont work, but I want some of your money because I deserve it. Just how much, that is an unknown. What percentage of your money would you like to give me, AND what is your limit? And by the way I do not intend to work, because the government is going to take care of me. Another unreported idea of Pelousi, of whom Obama supports, is the takeover of Americans 401k and adding it to your social security with a 3% cap on growth. Oh Boy, they did such a good job handling that system, why not take over private pensions, and then tax them like crazy. This is change that we need???????

I can understand the young and great speech giver, Obama certainly has those skills, but do you really believe in what he has stated he will do when it concerns taxes, government intervention, etc. You know LBJ started this crap with welfare, and the great society, as we have seen it is a disaster creating generations of folks that dont work, dont desire to work, and it has destroyed the American family. Its is very hard for children to have any will to do better when Mom or Dad sit at home and watch the tube all day and collect their check from good old uncle Sam at the end of the month. The system is broke, and both parties perpetuate it beyond any good. The Democrats give lip service to these very folks that we will provide you everything, But who is going to pay for it. Both parties are so far left that I dont know what will ever change it until the Moderates in both parties say enough is enough. I dont like McCain, (I was a Huckabee fan) but this is really going to be a stinking election.

I hope you are right, I wish I knew what people really see in this young man, he is completely unknown, changes (change???) his statements to meet whatever the crowd wants to hear, and believes government is the fix for everything. That scares the hell out of me. Being a Vietnam vet, the less there is of government intervention, the better. Protect our borders, language, culture, and the constitution as it was originally wrote, that is what I see the role of government is. What we are being promised is socialism 101 and it will destroy the fabric of our representative form of government. We are treading on new dimensions with China, Russia, and third world countries rushing to be the new super powers. China was and still is the most secretive intentioned society with long term plans that could provide a clear and present threat to the balance of freedoms in the world. Russia is headed to the old guard. The Arabs are laughing all the way to the bank. Obama wants to paternize with them, just like Jimmy Carter did, and what happened? they walked all over us. Study your history before you vote, sadly most Americans have been dumbed down to the lowest denominator and think that it is a great idea, that If you earn a great living, you should redistribute your earnings to those that dont want to or feel they are being discriminated against. The only ones that wont feel this pain are the politicians that are above it all and dont play by the rules they make. Think well friends, before you make those decisions....

!Removed! marriage is crap, let them be mates, partners, etc, but dont *BLEEP*ize the word marriage and tear down another stone in our rational society. It is wrong, and its in your face. It has nothing to do with civil rights. They all ready have all rights of being together including health care, etc. Next thing will be the marriage of a dog and man, etc. Unfortunately Sarah Palin in the only one that supports the proper meaning of marriage. The others are too scared or sucking up to this miserable invasion of the meaning of marriage. Funny we are expected to be tolerant, but it is not two sided. My signs supporting the Marriage is for Man and Woman is torn down every night, and my car has been egged. What a wonderful bunch that tolerates others beliefs???? It is just more of the in your face and we dont have to abide by rules that everyone else has. That is why I cant support Biden, Obama, McCain.... they are plastic, two faced politicians that dont support what the silent majority wants. Just the agenda of these fanatics that want to destroy the normal everyday working man and woman.

I have to agree with you DCfish, funney how the media complex disects the history of every living and dead political figure in our history to the point of re-writing history, but Obama has a do not touch or tell moto. I hope we are not the only Americans that are a little scared of the unknown. If change is what they want, than the downfall of our representation may well be what they get. I am not happy with either candidate, but questions should be answered, not mowed over like a lawn mower set for 6 inch grass. So sad that Americans, according to the media polls are supporting the matra that government is going to fix everything...just like they did when they didnt support the existing regulations that got us in this mess. And the companies are bailing out faster than rats on a ship, knowing that they no longer have to give what they promised, because they feel the socialism coming on. Study your history folks, see what happened in the past, and remember that statement that history repeats to those that fail to recognize it. Mussonlini, Hitler, great examples of failed socialism and what it did to the people. Sweden yep old Sweden the utopia society were there is no incentive to work hard to succeed, and also the country with one of the highest suicide rates. Taxes over 70%, yep great experiment.....This and more coming to your next corner, brought to you by folks that will tell you anything. And believe me they will still not live at the same level as you and I, but you wont have the opportunity to work hard and reap the rewards. They will take your earnings and give it to someone that deserves it more, because they want to sit at home and watch Jerry Springer and eat bom boms. Enjoy your suicide to free speech and control of raising your family, let your babies learn about !Removed! marriage, have abortions without your consent, but god help you if you touch that child, they will pick you up and straighten your beliefs up. Big brother knows better, and we will do as they require. The constitution is just a old piece of paper that needs interpreting, so that we really can find out what they meant. Oh I think I am sick....God Bless this country, and lets see what happens in the next couple of weeks.

If it is covered under extended warranty, jump on it, especially since they will provide a loaner. Good luck.

You know, I agree with the Colin thing, but am saddened, because I think the Republicans didnt think they could win in the first place and are using McCain as a scapegoat looser. The Party is so sick that I am convinced that they believe they will only gain back their power after Obama screws the nation up. Heck they wont even investigate the possibility that Obama is not a naturalized AMerican. How come the documents have not been submitted? There is just to much crap going on between both parties and the cool-aid drinking has begun. Heck the independents arent even allowed to vote in the primaries for either party. This is a sad state of affairs, we as Americans are being led to the dark side. I heard on the news that a bunch of couties in Alabama have more registered voters than population. This is going to be a very nasty election. God Bless America, we need it.