99lsguy

I would just do a pan drain for the first go around. Gets your feet wet and its easy but vital. A 5 gal plastic bucket cut off around 6- 8" high will hold all and you can slide it under car without having to lift the vehicle. Easy :D Just drain trans. pan - probably 2-3 quarts. Get new crush washer & replace plug @ 15 ft. lbs. Using toyota t-IV fluid; Add about 3/4 - 1 quart less on the initial fill up back thru the trans dipstick tube. Start up and run till warm - at least 2 min. Check the plug underneath at this time for any leaks Check level with dipstick. if it's just touching the cold (low) end then add only 4 ounces. If its anywhere in the HOT area - don't add any yet. Your should only add about 2 oz. at a time till you get a feel for the ratio of the indicator stick. Take a drive and let it warm up and recheck level. It will expand as it gets hot - so keep and eye on it. I have all of this on video, unfortunately, there's a problem with my capture software - so sorry. It's easy to do as long as you carefully add small amounts of T-IV ATF :D You've just replaced 30% of your tranny with clean, fresh fluid. Do it again next week and your up to 50%!!!

Does the 98 have HID's? - they're great! I like the looks of the dash area without the NAV (for 98-00 model years) so that's what I got in my 99. It's an expensive upgrade $300+. I'd get the 98LS, but is that their lowest offer? 99

I think you'll find most of the LS owners use synthetic - usually mobil 1. I use Amsoil synthetic and will change every 3-5 K. It will cost me $35 per oil change for DIY. Amsoil claims you can go 15K on the oil and just change the filter at 7500 miles but I want my oil CLEAN Synthetic oil is SUPERIOR in every way :D And, yes, I would always use premium gas. I bet your car is an awesome vehicle - congratulations and welcome!

Well, The last EASY fix I can think of - is the tires and Balance issue. Others have always said the LS is pretty sensitive to tire balance. Otherwise, one of the REAR CARRIER BUSHINGS could be checked. I think there's a current thread on this - from jzz30!

90LS, I assume you where changing lanes to get around the car, and therefore were "turning" somewhat as accelerating. Is this the exact moment the car had the vibration? In other words when you tried to duplicate and could not - where you just going dead straight? first things first,, check the lugnuts on all four wheels 76 ft. lbs each! 99

check out the front suspension; lower ball joints strut bushings etc. as they are prone to failure. PS Leakage has been issue for all 90-94 LS , new design on the 98+ has (supposedly) improved/fixed the problems. IS it one owner.....?

Good pics! Do you have more on the install? What year and mileage do you have on the LS. And - besides the brake pulsation, did this "fix" any other problem? Thanks for the work.. 99

I know you had a lot of service when you got the car.... but did they change the differential fluid too? That would be my first concern, along with a pan drain on the tranny. Even if it was done, I'd be inclined to do both again (well, I KNOW I WOULD). This is because you car has/had long layoffs in the winter. These first fluid changes may serve to help "clean" and you may need to get that gunk outta there! I'd use 80-90 synthetic for the diffy - especially since you're in the great white north. MY 99 has upper & lower mounts in the front of the diffy, then 2 large mounts behind it. Also, check torque from the l/r axles as they attach to differential. I have 6 on each side (10mm hex) and torque is 61 ft. lbs. first cause of noise in diffy is low fluid After that, you get into worn pinion gears and other badness - so let us know about the fluid... 99

JPI, Thanks for the upcoming pictures. And as always, for your work and expertise in our posts. You are a truste source! 99

I think this should be LEXUS 'S problem Make the dealer check the TSB's...... At least your 01 is still under warranty - a bad run of luck I suppose - I hope it all works out well :D Nice to have and 01 and 04 LS430. I BET THEY LOOK GOOD IN THE GARAGE 99

Craig, Do you mean just engine mount bushings or including suspension, differential, etc? There's even little "bushings" for the radiator - I think? 99

Blake, You are correct about my LS - still in good shape. I'm just always wanting to keep things perfect :D I've got a bottle of Mequiares Leather conditioner I need to use up first. I apply it about every 3 months to keep seats soft....

Pete, Interesting, All lexus has is the new RX400-h coming out in fall. SUV type, but will still get 40 mpg I think. At least its a start in the right direction..... You are right about the BIG OIL MONEY.......

K9, When you do the next pan drain follow the same procedure. I think you'll probably get between 2 - 2.5 quarts drained this next time. Then just put about 1/2 quart LESS back in on the fill up. After warm up, you'll get accurate reading. By my calculations, the Low-Hot mark up to the FULL HOT MARK may be only 4 ounces! Denny, Good to have you back bro, been wondering if all was OK on the coast..... (Your Collinite is good stuff) JPI, I knew I would stir up some trouble with my statement. I understand there are some consciencious (spelling?) technicians and such - I just believe they are few and far between. I'm telling you - the LS specs/procedures absolutely CONSUME ME!! The car was bought through a broker in Wichita who procured the LS (originally from Park Place) off lease. great thread K9 :D 99

k9, good work on saving the day! I'm telling you, I believe those guys just throw the ATF in there on a guess! <_< No attention to detail! Anyway, my car came from Texas Dealer too! - Maybe they just stop adding fluid when it runs out the top of the fill tube/ dip stick Torque specs on the bolt is only 15 ft. lbs - I doubt they had it over 40 ! OK, I'm being cruel - but you agree with my point. And I, like you, have little trust when someone else works on my car. Let us know when the level is perfect!

blake, What I meant was; Got a phone # from the website for a independent distributer in St. Louis. I called them (a leather shop) and ask if they had any Leatherique Oil & Cleaner. He wanted to know what it was for - I told him my 99 LS 400. The guy told me just to use Lexol Instead Best product he's every used for over forty years. So, there ya go. I'm as dumbfounded as you are <_< He didn't like the Leatherique cause it gets Oil on your clothes.. <_< Does anyone have this bad experience with the OIL? HOw long does it take to dry? 99

Doesn't anybody have one of the tanks over the 300K mark? This should be a common milestone for the LS. All you have to do is change the oil in a Honda Civic and she'll go 225-250,000!!! Talk about low maintenace.....

Sounds like you'd better keep the old one too :D That would be nice, hmmmm,, two LS's side by side in the garage 99

k9, BTW, Lexus dealer can read the OBDII codes to check for High Temp or any problems triggered by the shift solenoids - for peace of mind. Here in KC its about $50 for the diagnostic. Our cars have 6 yr / 70,000 mile drivetrain warranty so they should cover any faulty solenoids or other. I'd like to be there if they agree to drop the pan and look at the screen, magnets, etc.....

k9, I don't know if it can damage it or not. I suppose it depends on the Duration of long trips that may cause the fluid to "foam". I do know the fluid does expand a little when HOT. T-IV has "foaming inhibitors" and synthetic additives; it is good product! I changed my ATF first thing when I got the car and know what you mean. Mine was "slightly" overfilled - probably to the top edge of the upper blub marker. (you know - right where the top tapers into the cable). I think you should let the car warm up a little bit just to get the fluid warm before you pan drain it. My 1st pan drain got nearly 3 quarts out! So I put back in 2.5 and made a run. Well, the fluid was still over the full line, but barely! This kinda makes me think that the older the fluid is, the more it expands. So I'm thinking the stuff in the torque converter is actually "overexpanded" maybe 1/2 quart - that's why it was too much. Anyway- drained it again next weekend and out came 2 .5 quarts or so - I then refilled it with only 1.5 quart. Then took a run - I believe the whole system needs to be HOT to get accurate reading on the upper section of the dipstick. This time I was about in the middle of the "HOT" section. Then I VERY CAREFULLY added just 2 oz or so. THERE IS VERY LITTLE RANGE between the ADD (hot) line to the FULL (hot) marker. So SLOWLY sneak up on it. It it this kind of procedure alone that we as DIY owners pay MUCH MORE attention too than any tech would. All this being said, I can't be sure if the car shifts any better - as it was always smooth. I do know the tranny is better off not overfilled! I know I feel better about it. And to be quite honest, I don't think a Lexus service tech would do as accurate job as I have done. 99

Ernie, Sent you a PM if you want me to resize them for you - Then I'll send them back. Just make sure if you do email them to me, send only 2 photos at a time - most things have no trouble if under 2 MB total. Using cable modem so speed is good. 99

I take it you don't want to engage the Plaza or Dave L???? lexus dealers? Is your alternator shot due to wear or does it have the "dreaded Power Steering Leaking = dripping into alt." syndrome. I've got a good place in KC if you make it over here..... 99

Check edmunds.com you should be able to find all the specs for the 95-97 LS - match them up to your 90 and see BTW,, how's the 90 LS run? can you give us mileage and any services you've had? 99

Bandit, They do make a tire detailing compound..... Here's where i got my 476s past wax: http://www.mactecllc.com/collinite.asp VBDenny uses the 845 Insulator (liquid) and loves it. I'll give that a try over summer. I saw another website @ thebestwax.com BTW - do you have some pics of the SC430! What a great combo to have! I take it you've enjoyed (and maintenanced) the 300 enough to inspire the 430 purchase. Thanks for the response...I'm converted too :D 99

Wes, I used to go for my 85 Accord. Interior door handles, Headlight units, taillight covers, etc.. I've been thinking of modifying the air intake for my 99ls.. I would probably look for that part specifically. It is fun - I'd probably buy a bunch of stuff if it was in great shape cause it would be CHEAP!! 99