99lsguy

Linux, I hear ya on the "easy driving"........ When I got my 99 last June, one of the first things I did was go to dealer and get some OEM pads. Well, when I took them off (thinking they were worn), the original pads weren't even half worn. Its been 14 months now, and they still look the same :D . I may just put the new pads on this fall because I'm tired of keeping them on the shelf! Good luck with it..........let us know

I think euros are very close to dollars.......maybe a little stronger

Silver, the ultimate would be like they use on "drive thru" car washes. you know, where you put your car in Neutral, and let the underground belt pull you through.........probably only cost $20 grand or so As I mentioned earlier, you might be able to make those "side guides" kinda "L" shaped so they'd attach just behind the garage door and only visible when it was up - so it wouldn't look bad at all.........

Take care of her brother - I know you are! She'll appreciate it soooo much, your a good man

Agreed.... check your oil cap too. If it has a milky film under the cap, then the head gasket is failing.

I'm crutchin' around pretty well. Hard to sleep though, just trying to get through one day at a time ;) So that driveway's got a pretty good incline up and then levels off into the garage?

silver, how about attaching two soft plastic/foam rods (but will stay stiff enough not to sag) with soft tips Horizontally from the garage sides - in line with the mirrors - about 3 feet off the ground............ and use these as her reference. If she's too close ; she'd nip the plastic and know to stop ( or re- align ) Probably lot's of materials to use so it doesn't look to cheesy; paintable, flexible - that sort of thing...........???

Blake, Sorry, don't know exact #.......... but it's a little (lighter) than yours - I think.... Very close - here's a quick photo:

Do they really help with the handling?

If the pads do check out okay......... then you may have to remove the anti-squeal shims (2 per pad) and put a little brake grease on them. The manual says to cover both (insides) of the shims. I'll try to get a pdf for you later today - I'm a little slow to getting around

It could also be running just a touch rich on the fuel mixture.........sorta "flooding" out. Maybe a loose vacuum hose...............

on the coolant.......... YOu have some left in the bottom of the engine block and the heater core, so that's why it didn't max out at 10 quarts.....

Very nice Blake!! That looks very close to the tint on my 99 !!!! Looks sharp

vevro, Sorry it was such a fight-------but glad it ended ok!! I imagine the torque on that bolt is 180 ft lbs or so......a mechanic's garage with a lift has the luxury of using a 3-5 ft "breaker bar"; which can put immence torque on a bolt. Ask the mechanic how he did it and his suggestions - are those reverse threads??

Be sure to extract old brake fluid out of the master cylinder....if you compress those pistons the fluid will spill out and over in your engine compartment. get a couple of cans of DOT 3 brake fluid and flush/bleed out the lines with new brake fluid while your at it!!

Jeff, get on lexus.com and register your car......you can get a new owner's manual (for your year LS) for free. Have your VIN ready......

Yes.........how much and instructions included?????????? Mine are about gone on the stereo........just a few lines here and there..

Yes, You'll get instant readings that change constantly over terrain........but on a long, consistent stretch is should be steady....

Right on the money!! Follow Richards advice!!! Take a wire to "fish" down the drain holes - about 5-7 feet; so you can see it from underneath the car - then you'll know it's through.

Pat, There is also a sensor on the RRear caliper too. Unless they changed something, there is only one sensor per axle (f / r). Others have had good luck with ceramic pads.... I think..but I'd use toyota/lexus brand. The factory original pads are toyota make and the set for both front brakes cost about $60 @ dealer. Because your car is 9+ years old, your rotors are probably worn/warped. The rotors are the thick metal "pancake" that the pads squeeze against to stop car. These can wear little grooves in them over time, so if they're worn enough, its best to get them 1) "turned" or smoothed out with metal lathe machine or 2) just get whole new rotors. This could very well be causing the "grinding". You can live without the sensor being fixed. I think the dealer is misleading you about the sensor. If you got it serviced soon after the light came on - it would still be okay. It's made to alert you BEFORE your pads (and sensor) get completed worn out / damaged!! So, they probably ruined it or threw it away or......that's what I think! New rotors are about $110 each I think....that's what I'd do..Then your good to go for another 100k... Labor to put on is minimal...$100 I'd say.... Lexusparts.com is a source. See what an independent shop that specializes in Lexus would charge to put them on (also get price for rotor to check -save the hassle)

Yes, lower ball joint and frot strut rod bushings is about $800 dealer service for front end (l & r)..... I think Jzz can help you out if you want to try it! Very doable over the weekend. Parts around $300 I imagine.....

Glad the delay helped..........good idea to check out both ways. Maybe your fuel filter is really dirty, limiting the amount of fuel on first startup. Then, the gunk kinda "breaks free and floats" the rest of the day, before settiling back after being off for 8 + hours.......and the cycle continues..... Its a starting point at least!

lexus400, I think it's the Strut Rod Bushings........see the diagram (bottom of sketch)...... they may be cracked and causing the strut bar to wobble around on bumps.... Otherwise, the Lower Ball Joints as jzz30 stated. comp.pdf

Forgot this: I imagine the rebuilt ones also include the steering rack, and probably come together like that, The seals in the rack are all (probably) just as brittle..... Get some prices from and Indep shop, Lexus, and let us know...

Linux, Your report is excellent! However, as you know, it is an ugly situation. Your PS Gear seals are failing, heres the fix below - a lot of stuff to do I'm afraid. This is from my 99 manual: remo.pdf