99lsguy

HAH!! I was thinking the same thing!!

I broke a timing belt in my 85 Accord once....... No damage.......around 120K I think. Basically the car just "idled" at 600 rpm if my memory serves me right I'm sure the t-belts in an LS 400 are solid until 120K

Correct! There is a thread on the LS forum with a photo tutorial...... a search should find it... Good Luck - you can fix it!

You're the one Jim!! Have you put those on yet?

EXcellent new there GS My wife just got some Michelins @ Costco for her Sequoia. I too, was impressed by their service. Well, actually, they had to rebalance some tires twice...........but they were nice and quick!!! And they use a Hand Torque Wrench!!!!

Serpentine belt on an 99-01 LS400 is changed @ 90K.......... You should be able to lift the hood and get a good Idea where the sounds coming from..........

Here's what I got for the winters..... Now I leave them on all the time :D http://www.weathertech.com/store/prodsearc...item_group_id=3

You know, some guys swear the LS does pretty well in snow with the Blizzak WS-50 snow treads on them................. If you go that route, I'd put them on some different rims and just store them from March-October. :whistles:

I'd rent a 4WD SUV and leave it at that....... Keep the LS in the garage.

Hey Matthew, Is this for the remainder of the year only.........OR 1 year from signup date............OR Maybe the best: include the remainder of this year and 2005 as incentive :D

Your antenna gasket is most likely the problem!!! This was just on the board a month or so ago and the antenna area was the cause of the leak!!! Until you get a new antenna/gasket: If you can leave the antenna UP permanently......use a little clear silicone bead around the area to keep the water out until you get new parts.

loose, bad, or worn connection on the alternator????

Silver hit the jackpot with that tutorial....... it is excellent. Two additional items if this is not in the tutorial: 1) Take a vacuum around all the plugs BEFORE you remove them. This helps to ensure that no dirt will fall into the pistons when you remove the plugs. 2) Torque setting is 13 ft lbs. Make sure you keep the socket/extension in line with the plug and hand tighten first. Then snug to 13 ft lbs; then check torque again before moving on..... I'm sure the dealer doesn't include new wires and such. The plugs will cost you less than $100

Besides the need for a new valve, you could try and plug the vacuum lines that run into the valve cover - to prevent the PS fluid from shooting end. Then unhook your battery (neg) for a few minutes to reset the engine code. YOu may have to run the LS for a while and "blow out" the gunk. Maybe even have to unhook battery again in case the code comes back.... A temp fix till you get the air control valve......

Everybody's right on the money for diagnostics.......... Like Silvermate says...you need a good coating of disk brake grease on the shims. In particular, you only grease the INNER anti-squeal shim, but on BOTH sides! There are two sets of shims for each pad - grease BOTH sides of the two INNER shims.......

Oh yea......... Your tires could finally have enough wear in them that they cause the pull. That just happened on our 02 Sequoia. The alignment didn't help - a tire had an interior belt come loose and was causing the problem....

If a car pulls one way or another - then it's usually alignment. This will run you around $80 for a 4 wheel align.... If the car/ steering wheel shakes or rumbles - then that is wheel balance. Before you pay anything, though: check your tire pressure (32-34 psi) on all 4 tires. Sometimes a car can (and will) pull in the direction of the low tire.......

It's about $100 from a lexus dealer..........$75 or so from on-line places. I think Sewell lexus has these for around $75 on line........

Bob: After a long search, I went with the Yokohama Avid V4S. These are 97V rated tire and they are replacing my Yokohama S420's (H rated). I've only had them on one week but here are my evaluations: 1) these tires are extremely quiet. My old Yoko's were pretty quiet too....but these are silent. 2) My OLD Yokohamas where down to 3/32's and I didn't feel comfortable with them making a fairly good "light snow" tire for the upcoming winter. These got great ratings for wet, dry, snow, cornering, quiet, etc - it was #2 rated tire in it's class 3) this is a "performance tire" - since its V rated (but is OEM specs), so-----I do feel the bumps slightly more (I think). The guys had them @ 35 psi - I lowered to 32 and may go to 30 - and this helps. The roads are the problem here in Missoui :cries: . they are absolutely ATROCIOUS!!! So, what I mean, is that since these are "V rated", they don't "float" as much over the terrible potholes & patchs that "LITTER" our highways - as the S420s did. I guess you could say I notice the slighly "stiffer" sidewall - but I feel much more secure on the road. They handle great! 4) If the Avid H4S comes in 225/60-16, they may be the ultimate ticket for you!!! I struggled on what to do also. Since my S420's were H rated and a touch "sloppy" - I went with the V-rated. But I also believe the H4S would be an excellent choice.....and would have to give you a touch softer ride. 5) I am a conservative driver. I don't accelerate hard or corner hard. I bought these to keep Me & my family safe (plus I take my daughter to school -12 miles - every day). 6) These tires feel solid & secure to me. I don't know if a person can tell a difference between the same exact (brand new) tires - one being H, one a V ?? I think I can........but it may be just because they are a new tire...... <_< You know how a new tennis shoe feels compared to your old ones, a little stiff at first - but then you settle in to them and they feel nice and comfy... I think these will are doing the same . 7) These cost $75ea. @ tirerack. Total with shipping was $339.00. I had them drop shipped to local lexus shop no problem - took only 3 days. 8) My indie Lexus shop puts "H rated" tires on the LS400 all the time. Probably to enhance the "cushy" ride. Tires are tough!!!! 99

You will go over if it is overfilled in the first place..........that's why you should put 1 quart less back in and get it just right..........

totally agree!! Also, if you car "wanders" and you have to "pull" car back in line (but won't hold)...that is typical of worn ball joints.

Bob, How is she liking the LS......I know you've worked on it A LOT !!!! since you've owned it to get the LS in great shape and your wife was a little leary.... SHe's gotta love the ride :D

I think the dealer list price for ONE of our 98-00 OEM rims is.... $500 It will cost you $50-120 to get it "like new refurbished"

dealers and service techs constantly OVERFILL the tranny...... redrain and put in 1 quart less for starters....so it's on the full COLD (lower) mark. Then run an errand until HOT and check again; if it's still below the lower HOT mark, then just add maybe 3 ounces Max and recheck. It's a touchy refill :D Mine came the same way from previous "Lexus only serviced" owner. They're sloppy, don't care, and have little common sense.......... I drained it several times to get it perfect - you may have to also 99