anthonyiez

I'm in the process of removing my rear struts and where the swaybar link attaches to the strut you have to use an allen wrench to hold the bolt in place as you turn a nut. Well, the allen wrench can't grab because it's stripped. Any ideas?

use an easy-out. You will have to replace the bolt after that. Easy-outs can be found at sears and/or home depot. Or try banging the next largest size allen wrench into the hole, again, the bolt will have to be replaced.

steviej

problem with that, is the bolt "is" the stabilizer link.

are you replacing the link? if so use a cut-off tool to just cut the end of the link. if not, use a 3/8ths impact, while holding pressure in on the link.

don't feel bad this is pretty common on all cars that use this design.

Thats a bit harsh I would say. What mainstream shops would you guys recommend for me? Or if you're in the Orlando area, do you know any good shops around? I really need to get my car fixed as soon as possible and I want good quality service at an affordable price.

not after fixing the number of cars i have, that the local one has screwed up.

i wouldn't let pep boys work on my lawn mower

thanks for the heads up for this site. i knew of it but never checked it out. btw, i got great ratings and and some nice write ups. makes it all feel worth it at the end of the day.

That is what I have in my Es300. The freaky weird part, off subject kind of is my gsxr1100 (1994) motorcycle has an NGK in the FSM AND denso #'s.

Are they connected (business wise)?

yes

if anyone cares...

if you take into account that the original factory tire size for a GS is 225-55-16, then factor up to a 17 inch wheel, you will find that lexus used the wrong size tire in the 235-45-17. the correct tire size is 245-45-17, which has almost the exact same circumference as a 225-55-16. i can't figure out why they did this, but i switched mine a long time ago.

carry on...

yes, through the customization program.

there are plastic gears inside that wear out. i haven't had luck finding these gears, but have been able to fix a few from other antenna i've gathered over the years. chances are you need a whole new antenna assm.

excellent!!!

Walmart and Costco brand batteries have given me very good service over the years. I dont know if they have the size.

that reminds me of a toyota celica i had towed into my shop that walmart put the battery in. oh the reason it was towed in, it caught on fire :o

i think the factory part is actually cheaper. although i'm factoring in my wholesale discount.

usually they are not. Recently I had to price an OEM B1S1 sensor and it ran about 225 from a Toyota parts counter and close to $250 at Lexus. Online Lexus parts are cheaper but some require shipping charges. www.sparkplugs.com is another alternative.

steviej

well we also have to keep in mind that the newer ones and for the most part all cali emission spec engines since around 98 actually don't use oxygen sensors. they use air fuel ratio sensors. iirc i just paid $157 for one on thusday, but i can't remember the actual vehicle

w/o reading all the responses, so forgive me if this has been said.

i once had a 95 sc400 that 194 bulbs would work fine, but the warning light wouldn't go out. turned out, that the correct toyota bulb was a 192. got a set from toyota and problem solved. now like i said this was a one shot deal and i've never ran into it again.

On the center console just right of the radio, there is an object sticking out. What is that? It was removed from my car before I got it and there is just slot for what ever sitting there empty.

It's the accessory cup holder; it was with the car when I bought it.

yep, another cupholder...consider yourself lucky its gone because imho its pretty useless.

I have 122k on my SC300, the tranny fluid is nasty, but im afraid to change it cause ive heard stories about it messing it up. Could someone PLEASE help me out here, thanks.

i have yet to have a problem flushing a high mileage toyota trans. i use the BG flush machine and it does a complete flush of the entire system.

i use top line interstate batteries and never have a problem. in fact in my area interstate supplies the batteries for the local lexus dealer.

i'd check to make sure you didn't twist the brake hoses when putting the calipers back on.

i think the factory part is actually cheaper. although i'm factoring in my wholesale discount.

yep, they give up very easy around here and replace the rear manifold. i wouldn't want to replace that manifold even for the good money it would pay.

i vote for a bad tp sensor...i changed 2 of them in the last 2 weeks.

sk,

have you had luck cleaning the IAC's?

i tried on a couple a long time ago with no luck. now i just replace them. i'd hate to clean one and have a customer come back with it not working. in fact i have a 01 sienna coming in monday for a iac replacement.

wow, your tires were that bad to cause a noise like that and they didn't see it the 1st time around :o

i wish i could give you a better answer, but i'm at home and do not have access to my tech info and wiring diagrams. i can tell you this though, there isn't a dedicated fuse for temp guage.

i always use oem parts when the price permits. i also buy the majority of my lexus parts from a toyota dealer. this works for most models.

when not using oem parts from toyota/lexus i try to source out the manufacturer that actually makes the parts. i use kyb for struts. most people know that kyb supplies the shocks and struts for most toyota/lexus products, this isn't a secret. what is a little known secret is that when you buy replacement parts from toyota/lexus, chances are you will be getting a strut made by gabriel.

also when it comes to brake rotors, brembo is the way to go.

look around, there has to be a toyota/lexus specialist in your area. if not that's a niche that needs to be filled.

what kind of car do you have?

what bushings in the rear did you change?

if you replaced the stabilizer bar bushings already, than i'd be looking at the lateral links.

i hve a 1993 ES, i recently changed the stabilizer bar bushing, also i just changed the rotors, calipers and pads on both sides, also both rear struts.

if it were my lateral link, would it be something they would have picked up after my alignment?... they never mentioned anything... but i'll take it in again.

thanks for the help

they should of looked at them, but that doesn't mean they did.

great looking car. i used to have a 92, then a 94 that were sticks as well. man i still miss those cars, they were a blast to drive.

yep toyota type 4 is the way to go. valvoline makes a fluid called maxlife that will work, but the toyota fluid isn't all that much more.