lenore

Sometimes the dragging caliper will get so hot that the wheel turns yellow. But when you stop the car put your hand on one wheel then the oposite wheel. they should both be equal heat wise. If one is a lot hotter than the other then the caliper is hanging. Probably a rubber brake line that is constricted.

I live in Sacramento, where temperatures are quite hot in the summer, I would suggest a 15k change on the tranny fluid in your neck of the woods. I do that here in Sacramento and the fluid retains its color and lack of burnt smell.

I have had extremely good luck with the Kirkland and Wallmart brand batteries. Never had one fail. One is going on 8 years. (Kirkland) Kragens Batteries have been the worst, repeatedly failed on me, covered by warranty, but a pain jerking them in and out. Not impressed with interstate batteries either.

Take it to an independent tranny shop. you will save thousands over a dealership. Dont forget to file a complaint with the NHTS board online. You will need your vin number. So the failures keep coming in. Sorry about your failure.

Grumpa is correct, you will need about 9 quarts to do the two changes. Again make sure to use Type IV toyota fluid. Excellent idea to clean it up. I do not suggest a flush, you may cause debris going into the valve body of the transmission. Just do the drain and fill routine.

Your fluid is toast, read the RX300 Forum on Transmissons. Change the fluid every 15k miles or you will discover the failure soon. Make sure you only use toyota Type IV fluid. Do not substitue.

Yes I am wondering if the key (flat spots ) on the shock rod are properly aligned with the key in the rubber mount. I found you can accidently not get this seated right while putting the strut back together. I wish I had a picture, it is hard to describe. I was very careful about making sure the rubber and the bearing mount were aligned otherwise you could have noise from poor seating.

I know how you feel RX, good luck with the RX, I too agree with you, I would have gone elswhere for my next car after the RX300. We drove the RX330 as a loaner during the tranny issues and found the car a big dissappointment. But everyone has different likes and dislikes, I just feel that you and I do more research before jumping the gun. When I was younger I would let my emotions get the better of my judgement when buying cars. Made lots of mistakes, but it was all a learning curve for me. Funny older I get reliability and safety are more important. Cosmetics are still a driving point, but not like the old days. Hope your new tires resolve any future issues, I kind of chuckle when you said your car was in the dealership to get issues fixed, just another example of how Lexus is no different than others at times when the chips are down. Hope they continue to work with you to fix anything that crops up. Have a great day. Tom

make sure you use NGK or Denso plugs, warning do not use Bosch plugs, you will be sorry....

No, mine is 8 years old. Did someone hit a pot hole or curb really hard..?

Yea, what we do for our little women. I just completed a furniture project, and told my wife the demensions were too large. Guess what She said it is too large (after I completed it) So I took it apart, no small job since I over engineered the thing, so now it sits in pieces until I can re size it and go through the whole process again. Cars, phones, furniture, the list goes on. We men are nuts about researching things before we make decisions, but the better halves like to let their emotions guide them. Cant live without them and therefore life goes on... Have a Great day everyone and dont forget Valentines day is coming up for your true love. ...............................

I have even sprayed mine with simple green and rinsed, looks like new afterwards, so far have washed three times with no problems. Definetly a rip to buy one unless its damaged.

they make funnels for transmission filling. Any Walmart or auto parts store. Good investment for preventing spills.

You could probably use such hose, but why dont you check one of your parts houses or Lexus of Plano texas to see what kind of price.... :)

I put this up on the board late last nite so I am reviving this post so hopefully some advice will follow. Good Morning Sacramento and the rest of the world.....

I spent last night checking the car out, The motor mounts all appear solid. The Ball joints tested solid with a pry bar as shown in a book I have. The Left drive axle appears to have to play in it where it attaches to the transaxle. The Right one had none. Does this appear to be a problem? If you hold the axle at the transaxle and turn the wheel there is also play in the joints, but the right axle also has this play. The only difference between the right and left is the movement of the inboard axle mounting shaft in the transaxle. I know I have had this a long time, but I dont know if replacing the axle will fix the problem. Any suggestions by anybody? I am experienced at changing half shafts as I have done three on a Nissan Sentra. The Local parts house has an EMPI axle for $89. Does anybody have any experience with the EMPI axle shafts? Lots of questions just dont want to throw money for nothing. .... By the way the play I am experiencing in the axle is 90 degrees from the turning motion of the shaft.

I agree, if you want to improve grounding buy some star washers and put those under the connections on your car. Will do exactly the same thing for less than $1 .... Just like monstor cables a complete waste of money. Current is current, proper cables will do the same thing.

If the pan filter has not been changed do it. It is real easy and has a drain plug so most of the fluid will be out. also inspect for major metal fillings on the magnets in the bottom of the pan. You will see some, so dont be alarmed. A new gasket is probably a good idea. the cost of the filter and gasket is around $60. It will take about 4.3 quarts for a drain and fill. Dont forget the plug on the axle takeoff directly behind the pan toward the back of the car. More fluid will come out there. When you fill the transmission that area automatically gets replenished. Then drain the fluid on the next three oil changes and hopefully you will have non burnt, red fluid showing on your didstick. Good luck

I have repeatedly given that suggestion out to everyone when they have a transmission failure. But It takes a lot of time and really a safety issue before the NHTS board gets off their butts. It is truely a shame that Toyota, the number 1 car company in the United states will not support their product through Lexus their affiliate. Great cars, lousy tranny. The failures keep rolling in. I wish their was a data base at transmission shops showing the failure rate.

Yea its sad, to see all that land ate up. I spent a lot of time around Leesburg during the last 32 years and saw countryside back in 74 till growth over bound in 2005. My company sold all their property (10k plus acres along the potomac and now it is all hotels and condo's . The deer have all but declined and seems it is wall to wall people like California. Wish I had bought land back in 1974. Those condos were going for 900k and the sales lady said they would break 1mil by the end of the year (2005) Oh George washington would never recognize the land. Seems the West coast and East coast are just going to be track homes from north to south. Sure is a lot of money floating around. I was always curious what kind of incomes supported such home prices on a 900k condo. Virginia is just gone nuts.

Looks like you are about to be in another Lexus RX. Well keep us posted.

Not necessarily, the Catalytic converter will burn off the oil. You might see some blue smoke on a cold day when you first start the car until the cat gets hot. good luck

Your valve stem seals may be worn for the oil problem, But they can do a leak down test to determine this. As for the struts, Take it to an independent or Toyota dealership, it will be a lot cheaper. KYB shocks are like the originals about a $100 per shock. Good luck

I will do that, I just havent had the car or time lately. Keep us posted.

The dealer generally is going to only offer you what is called a wholesale price. Go online and use Kelley blue book and see what your vehicle goes for if you trade in, sell on yourself, you will see the tremendous difference in price.