VBdenny

I change my own oil in the driveway. I have a set of ramps that I pull the car up on. I get my oil at Pep Boys because they're the only place around here that sells Valvoline Synthetic. While I'm under there, I can see what els is leaking. I then take my used oil to Advance Auto Parts and recycle it. Unfotunately, Lexus doesn't povide any gease nipples for steering and supension componets. They are "lifetime" sealed which means it will be a relatively short life in comparion.

Hey Todd, Don't you just love it? It's always something! I like the idea of the shroud

I'm not sure why, but most types of files can't be uploaded. Just post it in the gallery or PM Matthew McNully for help. I think it would be really nice to have a repair gallery. I just wouldn't want to see all the models lumped together as they are on the repair boards.

Mike & Wanda I went ahead and added your observations to the file so the next time it comes up I will have it handy, Kind of fun fixing your own stuff isn't it :)

The dealer near me told me the upper control arms on my 400 were "weak" wheatever that means. I don't hear any clunking though. They also said they are magnesium wishbones. Sound like a common complaint. I'm not sure how hard they are to install, but I know when I did them on my Cadillac a few years ago, they were a bear!

OEM Lexus brake pads use two shims on each side of a brake pad. Some aftermarket pads use only one. I also think what VMF said about leaving off parts might have something to do with it. The part he described is a wear indicator. They shouldn't squeel, mine never do.

Well, if you guys say so. But I don't believe it. I've done it on many cars with ECU's without ever having a problem or destroying anything. To give an example of a similar scenario, I guess if the power goes off (like if there was a blackout or something) and your computer cut off suddenly, it would destroy your computer? Doesn't happen. I will admit that I've never done it on my Lexus, so you may be correct, but I don't believe it. Anyone else done this? Should I find myself in similar circumstances, especially under the conditions described in the intial post,, I'd just put a new battery in. Man, they are cheap! All to often, people try to nurse 4 year old batteries along hoping they will come back to life. But we all know that won't happen. My brother sells industrial batteries and charging systems and he has long told me that when they go bad, that is a very common sympton. Put a new battery in (check previous posts on this board, do a search for batteries) and see what happens. Worst case scenario, you'll have a new battery. Should you need a new alternator, and it's a DIY, have the parts dealer test it before you go home and install it. I always like to see low 14 Volts. If it is in the 12's, don't accept it, because if is inferior. I rejected one that was putting out 13v and the auto parts dudes didn't have any problem with trying another one. I learned this the hard way once. I installed the new POS alternator and it I still had a problem. Reluctantly, I took it back off and I took it back. Well they put it on their machine and it tested out at 11.3v. Then, they gladly exchanged it (which is where the previous statement came from) for another and I went home an gladly reinstalled it :( AGAIN Maybe I was wrong about the test I suggested, but I've used it on many computer equiped, American made cars. I fosmthing is different, that would mean that the Nippon cars are inferior to American made cars in that respect as they can't lose electrical power without experiencing castastrophic failure of the alternator or computer. I've seen voltage surges destroy electrical components, but I've never seen a loss of electrial power do the same. Not to be rude or anything because I think you guys are great, but........... I still think you are wrong. But hey, better to err on the side of caution. Better safe than sorry I always say. Better believe that I've screwed up more than one thing before, just trying to save a little money. Denny Sorry VMF and SK, but we always agree to disagree.......... don't we?

Where do you mount your front plate now?

I'd look in the gallery. I have a picture of my 90 engine in there and I know there are sevral others. Maybe you could do a look-see and determine the deal?

If you are considering not buying it, then be sure not to drive it. Once you do, you'll be hooked!

I decided against tinting mine at all. First, it can scratch. Second and mainly is because cops hate it. You can bet the last dollar that you will get a ticket if you get stopped for anything and everything with tinted windows. I can't say as I can blame them. I wouldn't want to be a cop and stoop someone with tinted windows. I don't D&D or anything, but I do like speeding and would prefer to get the benefit of the doubt.

big hurricane out there dudes!

Serpentine (or a Lexus calls it a drive belt) is slipping

Go to COSTCO you can get a new battery for around $50. Ain't worth dicking around with

Bad cell in the battery. To check, remove the negative terminal while car is running. If it's the alternator, the engine will cut off. I'd bet anything it's the battery, that is so typical A voltage check of the battery when it's warm will probably show it's okay. Most auto parts stores will do a free load test.

I replaced my PS pump at 121,000 because it was starting to leak and I didn't want to wipe out the alternator. It still worked great, just leaked. In my Cadillac I had the PS pump leaking for two or three years until it got so bad I had to park it in the street because my driveway looked like Saudi Arabia with all the oil. I think they run forever or until they run out of fluid. The Cady's pump sang like a canary when it was empty and I just filled it and it went on and on. Sounds really weird. I've been working on cars for a long time and I've never heard of one getting bad like yours. Maybe it' something to do with the speed sensitive steering and a sensor is bad or something. I'd probably take it to the dealer for a diagnosis and pay them the 100 bucks to diagnose. Might end up being your best bet. I'm gonna do that with my AC problem.

My brother in law owns a mediallion cab in NYC, but he lives in Bay Ridge. I'll try to call him and see if he knows anyone in B'klyn that works on Lexus. I know he gets all his work done on his Crown Vic cab and his other cars really cheap.

VMF I can turn mine with about one finger. Definitely sounds like something is wrong. Do you hear any noise or anything? The other thing it could be and I hate to even bring this up, is the steering rack. I was looking at mine when I was changing the oil and it leaks but not enough to drip. They don't look like they're much fun to replace. I saw a show TWO GUYS GARAGE where they changed a steering rack. Mannnnnnnnnn!

Wanda. I'm attaching a Word file that someone posted here describing coluum repair. I did not write this, I just saved it. LEXUS_Tilt_Column_Repair.doc

wish I was in Atlant Wanda. Takes me almost 6 hrs to drive there. I was going to go out and look at mine and see exactly what that lever does. I have always felt that I couldn't lower the wheel as much as I like. With my Chevy I can lower it all the way to my knees which is very helpful when your driving, eating and talking on the phone at the same time.

I'll attribute it to a ..... spelling error heh heh

Maybe there isn't any fog in San Diego? I like mine yellow, it's a distinictive Lexus trademark and they work great. Anyway, I went to 2 Pep Boys and one Advance and everyone is out of high intensity 194's kinda "irritated" me.

It more fun than a day at Disney World! I'd probably be inclined to do what SK said IF the engine was really greasy and dirty. It does work and it looks good, but I still am really afraid to spray water and degreaser all over. I did a Chevy once and by the time I was done., the engine was clean and all the dirt and grease was on me! Yeah, I looked like a grease monkey but I'd never post THAT picture!

I found the Maquire's #1 Pain Cleaner works pretty good. The clay works very well. Some of these gooey southern bugs seem to get inbedded and are about impossible to get off. The best way to get bugs out of the paint is never to let them get in there in the first place. Keep the front really well waxed (or preferably sealed), then clean them off right away.

So am I. Hey Todd, is this a replacement for the whole A/C unit, or just the LCD display. If so, how big a deal is it to change that once you have the control unit out?