hurschel

'97, Thanks, I found those two threads, but that's not my problem. It makes no noise, no grinding no motor sound at all. If I keep hitting the switch, the motor will start and the wheel will move, have to keep hitting the switch to get it to move a little at a time. I'm beginning to think the contacts in the switch are dirty and I haven't found any info on how to get the switch apart to clean the contacts.

I haven't been here for a while, but recently have a few gremlins show up on my LS. I don't drive the car much anymore although I really like the car. When I insert the key, the steering wheel will extend, but doesn't drop down. I can keep flicking the switch and it will only move occasionally, if it doesn't move, it makes no sound, keep hitting the switch and it will move a small amount once in a while. I think I remember reading about a loose plug or connection somewhere in the steering colum. Is it possibly a loose connection or maybe a dirty switch? I'd like to keep everything working on this great old car, maybe someone can point me in the right direction.

I have a '97 LS400 and replaced the timing belt and all the idlers and tensioners plus the water pump at 108,000 miles. I ordered the kit for the '97 from ebay and everything worked except the belt, it was for late '97. The early '97s were not interference engines, so check your mfg date, the late '97s were interference. If a late '97 breaks a belt, there can be huge repair bill to replace valves and possibly pistons.

Well, now I know to PAY ATTENTION, I had started the car when I checked the fluid level the first time and thought it was ok. I wiped the stick and checked again, barely touching on the stick. I topped up the fluid and since it had been setting for a couple of months, I checked the tires and all four was low so aired them up and went for a drive. Glad to report that all is back to normal so I need to look for a leak now. Thanks for the suggestions.

Thanks, I'll check that too, might be the weekend before I can get to it, but will report what I find.

Belt not slipping, fluid level is good and looks clean, will check the filter, didn't think about that. Don't drive a Honda anymore, but have had a Prius for the last couple of months so maybe that explains it, just got soft I guess.

I have a '97 LS400 that I haven't driven in a couple of months, unhooked the battery tender and backed the car out of the garage, steering was harder than normal, but still had some assist. I drove about 50 miles and the steering was heavy, the same whether stopped or moving. Where do I need to start, I know that it should turn easier when stopped or slow, but is the same and heavier than I remember when moving at normal speed.

I live in the country, not like driving in your traffic, not sure I understand the ratings so maybe you can educate me a little. I know the T rating is good for over 100Mph and I'll not see that number. Is there some other reason to get the V rated that is recommended for the LS. The tire guy at Sams Club said they will not put a tire on a car that is rated less than specified, didn't ask why.

Thanks for the post, I was going to go Primacy MXV's but Sams Club wanted $714 for a set installed. I ordered the Yokohama Avid Touring S from DTD for $304 and they came with a $40 mail in rebate. Free mounting and balance in exchange for helping a guy haul some wood. I just hope they're as good as you say they are and hope they're quiet, can't stand the noisy tires that are on there now.

'97 LS 400 last fill up was 22.87 that's lower than usual, rural roads and usually in the 24's. Last summer on Fla trip we got 28.6 on Exway going and coming from Ky. haven't had a chance to get all city mpg. I'm happy with that beats the 4 cyl Odyssey on the hwy.

I guess the Michelin Primacy MXV4s would be the ones I go with, I've looked at tirerack.com and they seem reasonable for everything considered. I've tried airing these Nokians up and down, and with 37lb. they are really harsh and it doesn't help the noise. I have a set of Yokahama touring on my minivan and they are wearing really well and give a smooth ride, I thought about those for the Lexus, but am afraid they'd be noisy too. Thanks for the replies and I have used Michelins before and liked them, just trying to save a buck or two, looks like if I want quality, I'll just have to pay for it.

I would like to find a tire that will give me long tire life and a quiet ride. I had noisy tires on the LS400 when I bought it so I gave them away and got a set of Nokian I3's that had a tread pattern that looked like they'd be a quiet tire. When I put them on, they were a lot better than the ones I took off, but after almost 20,000 miles, they sound like all the wheel bearings are bad, rotated them and more noisy on the back now but quieter on the front. What tire do I need to find that will get long tire life and still be quiet, I like the Michelin Hydro edge, but don't want to spring for that kind of money and wind up with a lot of noise, any suggestions.

They won't lower the car, but if you want STIFFER suspension, go with KYB GR-2s, definitely STIFFER.

I don't know if you'll call these decent prices, but I've found these to be about the most reasonable I can find http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/ind...m?siteid=213808 also some use irontoad.com for parts, don't know if they have body parts though. You might find what you're looking for used on e-bay. Good luck.

I sent an e-mail to customer support at KYB about the hard ride after installing their struts, here's the reply. Hurschel, The shocks we offer for your vehicle are about 10-15% firmer than the OE shocks so if you were to exchange them you would get the same ride with the new set. They are not defective. If you are looking for a ride that is not as firm as our GR-2 the dealer is the only place that would have a less firm ride. I suppose if we want to keep the Lexus ride, best to install the OEM struts, still haven't decided if I'll return the KYBs and go with OE, the fronts are not as stiff as the rear, empty dump truck does come to mind.