nc211

It's that funky split second throttle delay in the pedal. I don't think it's that bad on the 98-00 models, but I hear it's real bad on the LS430's and not getting any better. There have been some complaints primarily when turning corners in parking lots of the throttle lag creating confusion inside the tranny computer...aka...doesn't know which gear it wants to be in, 1st or 2nd. Nothing major, and if you haven't noticed it by now, then I doubt you will. Most people just get used to it and adapt to it perfectly.

Thanks Mike, good looking tire! But high performace = softer rubber = shorter life span, and harder side walls. But, that is all just personal opinion and preference for sure. I think if my problem is tire related, anything would be better than what's on there now, god willing! I did read some negative reviews about the continential on tirerack however, but mostly about the side walls being too soft for some "sporty" type driving. I don't do that anymore these days, just drop the wheel down and cruise' on down the road. Funny thing happens when your insurance is perfect due to a flawless driving record for the past 15 years.....you want to keep it that way. B)

Guys, I know we've covered this a zillion times, but the debate usually seems to be between the bridgestone turanzas and michelins. In my case, neither is really affordable with the michelins close to $600, bridgestones at $375 "only need 3, original spare in trunk has never been used", or some Continental ContiPremier Contacts at $352 for all four. I know VW and some other german cars used to use Continental as OEM, not sure anymore. But what do you guys think about those tires? I have a feeling the mechanic is going to say my tires are damaged, which is the cause of the wobble. It's got the Michelin's on there now. But $600 for new tires just isn't in the cards right now, with everything else costing more and Christmas coming up. Gotta start pinching some pennies here. By the way, all prices are estimates from tirerack.com.

ps...I'm not an aggresive driver, I like to cruise and putter.

edit: here is the tire I'm looking at....

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?ti...romCompare1=yes

Here is what one reviewer said about them. It appears they're great for the LS400's, not so great for the cadillacs. There are a few LS400/430 owner reviews, all seem positive.

"These tires are much better than numerous others I have had on a Lexus 400 and a 430. The smooth quiet ride, particulary at highway speeds, is far superior to the various $145-170 Michelins I have owned. I have driven in torrential rains on the Interstate, in 3-4" snowfalls in the city, and on hot, dry state(read: not smooth) highways. I am absolutely "sold" on these tires and recommend them without reservation for other 430 owners. They may not carry the "cache" of some other brands, but once tire purchasers "wise up", you will have been ahead of your time. -- Review Submitted 2005-03-15"

I know that if you do this outside of a toyota / lexus dealership...aka...jiffylube, they will not allow you to use any other fluid than thiers, and we've all covered this before. I agree with army too. With so much stress and age on that tranny, putting additional stress during the power flush can most likely damage a seal or band. It's like using a rented carpet cleaner on that 20 year old couch, it can do more damage than good. But I also understand the guys here who have done the powerflush and have not had problems. I think it's a crap shoot. But if you do it, don't go on the cheap, take it to the dealership so you know it's the right fluid being used to flush out the old. I think this is one of the main reasons why my old maxima's tranny started to slip at 40k miles...jiffy lube tranny flush. Probably the wrong kind of fluid, in conjunction with some sort of slick 50 tranny crap I put in it at 20k miles.

Yeah they sure don't make 'em like they used to anymore. Here is a picture of my dad's all original 1973 Caddy, with 13,486 original miles. I think it's got like a 7 liter engine. He put glass packs on it, and let me tell you, when you start that puppy up, it puts hair on your chest! I love driving it! There is also a picture of my car when I picked it up from the dealership. And one of my old Maxima.

My car is going into a specialist this wed. to figure out the wobble situation. I'll let you guys know what I hear. He thinks maybe bad tires. Might have thrown a belt on a couple. If I had hit a bad pot hole or something, I'm sure I hit it with the front and the rear on the same side. With the tires being rotated enough times now, there is no telling which ones they are. Also going to have the rattle looked at. It's a hit or miss rattle, but you know it when you hear. No missing it.

You would think it would be like new, but man I can't figure it out. I don't think it's something too major, just a bad setting somewhere or I damaged a part during the repair cycle. I'm going to take to a Lexus specialist next week and let them keep it for a few days. I'm not going to sell it, I just can't bring myself to. I've kind of grown attached to it through this process.

sorry man. i think you stumped the board on this one. i checked through my stuff and i didn't see anything with those numbers. is it for you ls or the toyota?

oops, didn't notice that you sold the toyota.

oppps #2, didn't see that you have a lot of other toyotas. Man, you got too many toyotas! Hahaha

Thanks guys, well that car has already been sold. Someone got a good deal, that's for sure. At some point I'll be upgrading to the 98-00 model series, but not just yet. I've thought about it some more and just can't bring myself to get rid of mine just yet. I know if I could just get this last little problem fixed...the wobble...I'll be happier than a pig in mud. I do like the idea of 290 hp and a fifth gear. The wood wheel and additional electronics are nice too. But when it comes down to it, it's all in the ride, and I'm still very satisfied with mine, even though it seems to like eating my beer funds. It's been a great learning experience fixing mine up, even if some of the repairs werent really needed.

I'm starting to see some 98 and 99 models with about the same mileage as my 95 falling into the right price range for me. I'm curious what you guys think, is it worth it for me to trade in my 95 after all of these new parts and stuff for a 98-99 with the 5 speed tranny and the updated engine? I'm aware of the electronic throttle issue. Also, are the suspension parts the same on my 95 as the ones on the 98-99? If so, I might swap them out right before I traded in my 95. I'd take a $1,500 hit on mine due to loan balance probably. Here's one I'm looking at. It's priced below nada, clean carfax.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?rdpa...rdist=11#vdptop

thank guys, greatly appreciate the input!

This sounds like a loose wire or tube banging around up there. It's right where the pillar post for the seat belt meets the roof. sounds like maybe a wire to the motor for the electric seat belt mover thing. oh well, screw it. at some point i've got to accept that this is a 10 year old car with 80% city miles. sh*t happens right.

another great way to clean the glass is to use a mr. clean magic eraser bar/sponge. They're like a $1 at the store. love those things man, just love them!

Typical...just typical. I swear, if I even drive by the dealership here, it costs me $135 min. It's like they see an older LS and try their best to suck out the money in your wallet. That is of course if you didn't just buy it from them. Then, it's the greatest used car they've ever sold. Probably said the same sales pitch "we let our new car buyers that are on the fence drive this one to show them how incrediable they really are......guess the age?...nope, not 4 years old, try 9 years....you'll be this happy with the $70k Ultra LS430"

i wish mine was like that sewell charged me $100 to just look at the car and told me problem was minor and wanted another $500 and to keep overnight but i left and they kept $100 since it was a deposit next day i went to my local mechanic and he told me the car phone was what kept on killing my battery....someone tell me how a local dealer found the problem in 10 minutes and did it for free while lexus wanted $600+

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Gents, thanks for the advice and comments.  Based on what I've read and heard, here and elsewhere, I think I'll just start with the struts (NOT KYB, I'll find OEM or Tokico, thanks!) and see what that feels like.  I'll go with OEM springs for the moment.  I've heard fantastic things about the TEIN coilovers, but that's a tad more change that I've got rattling around in my pockets right now for this project. 

NC211, the shop I use in Western North Carolina is 'Mostly Toyota' in Asheville.  The people there are terrific, fair and honest.  I used to travel to Raleigh regularly for sales meetings, and you have my sympathy for the condition of your roads, not Detroit-like, but hardly pleasant.

Now, where to find the springs...?  I've seen the Tokico structs on Ebay, but not OEM springs?  I'll check the vendors on this site first.  Thanks again.

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www.parts.com

drill down to lexus. i use discount toyota parts myself. I had a special hookup from sewell on my control arms. DTP for all the others.

Yep, just follow the directions on the bottle. I use it on all windows and even the lights. I find it makes the glass much smoother and helps keep the wind noise down. OEM = stock, original parts.

So you just follow the directions to apply the Rainx?

I have a ton of that stuff in my garage and for sure I am going to use it.

What is the OEM?

Cheers to the LS

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I've used rain x on all of my cars over the years, and the wipers. The blades on my car are oem and have been on there for 18+ months with no signs of wearing out. The only thing using rain-x and wipers will do is create a smudge line right where the passenger side stops on it's upward movement. You just clean it off. In my opinion, a very small price to pay for having clear vision in rain.

I got a rattle right above my head, sounds like it's either above the headliner on the side, or where the seatbelt upper anchor is. Sounds like something banging around. Is it the sunroof drain tube? If so, how do you shut that d*mn thing up! Ohhhh, the cold weather ah' comin'. It brings the rattles and the creaking leather.

I was looking at a link I posted for a guy in Australia, Vlamos bushings. Andrew has a "steering rack bushing" kit he sells. From what I understand, his parts are only for 1st generation models. But, since these cars don't seem to change that much, does the 2nd generation models have these bushings as well? And if so, where are they in the diagram below. There is also a picture from Andrew's site of the bushing. Thanks guys!

I meant water condensation inside the fuel tank, or other methods of entry which is being burned off with the fuel. Guy747, have you tried a bottle of Heat or other water treating chemicals with a fresh tank of gas? I know during the summer and fall seasons, depending on where you live, condensation can build up enough in the empty parts of a gas tank with the changing temps and humidity levels.

edit: reread the first thread, it doesn't sound like it's coming from the gas tank, I think I'm wrong here. I'd follow the advice of the guys suggesting coolant.

I agree with the mechanic, especially for what you want it to do, and not do. I replaced my oem struts with new oem struts a few months ago, it firmed it up too and took a lot of the lean out. Not all of it, as it's not designed for sportscar type driving, but it did take quite a bit out. The tire suggestion will hamper the car's ability to smooth out the bumps, and you and I both know, Raleigh has several bumps. The roads here are horrible.

Curious, who is your indi mechanic? I'm thinking of contacting Phil's Toy Store soon to try and fix this wobble thing I've got going on. My normal indi can't seem to figure it out.

http://www.vftbushes.com

this guy is in your neck of the woods down there. you should get to know him.

What about water condensation buildup? I've heard that white means water in the fuel system.

:cries: crap, i thought so. well, here goes another couple C notes.

Question: would damaging the rubber part of these parts destroy the way they operate? The reason I ask is I too used the pitchfork when I changed out my front suspension parts, and, I too mutilated the rubber, which squeezed out a lot of the grease. I'm wondering if they're destroyed too?

Also, is it normal for the strut rod bushing part of the rod to be all crooked looking when the car is jacked up and wheel is off the ground? I noticed the last time when I was cleaning the pads that the strut rod look really twisted to one side. Is that normal?

I think you've already answered your own question......a fun project. If you want to take it on, then go for it. Obviously you know that you won't get your money out of it after the repairs, but for $1,500 + $4,000 est. to fix her up outside of dealer rates and full retail prices on parts. Heck, even if you bought it and the engine blew up the next day, you could still probably sell it as a parts car for $1,000. If you have the $$, time, patience and know-how, sounds like a nice winter project.

yeah i sanded down the rear ones and told the mechanic last week to do the same for the fronts. the new rotors definatly smoothed out the ride, took that warped rotor shimmy out of the car. but once that was gone, and it was quite bad, the original wobble has become easily felt. I can't speak right today, got a bad case of "yoda-ism" due to cold medication.