90LS400Lexus

ok i'm sorry but what kinda idiot are you doityourself? have you not ever heard of fully independant rear suspensions? (they've only been in comon use since the 60's) Thanks. I drove the car today on a longer trip and the idle was back down- even when placed in "park". I guess it was where the engine was not fully warmed up on my short trip back home. Also- I did not think that the battery would have to be disconnected for rear struts, unless something electrical had to be removed when the rear seat was removed- such as speakers. I would still like to know what all they had to remove to change my rear struts. I have heard that only the rear seat has to be removed, but then I heard that the rear package shelf also had to be removed. I would think that a lot of parts would have to be removed if the package shelf indeed had to be removed. If it did have to be removed- wouldn't all of the "C" pillar trim have to be removed, or will the package shelf come out without removing that? I am just interested to know what all they did to the rear interior of my car while changing the struts. Thanks again.

Thanks for all of the replies. I think I will call the repair shop Monday to see if they did an alignment, or if they recommend that I have it aligned. It just shows on the receipt from back in June, that the rear struts, all brakes, and 4 tires were replaced, as well as a 4-wheel alignment. I was assuming they did the alignment because of the new tires that were installed. Even though I only had new rear struts installed- the drive home that night- the steering did not seem as responsive as before, unless it was my imagination. I have not driven it since then, but I am going to drive it tomorrow and see how the steering feels. Another strange thing, was that when I got home and shifted it into "PARK"- I noticed that the idling was a little higher than it has been. Normally- it is around 600-700 in park and that last evening- it was idling at nearly 1000 rpms. Is it possible that when replacing the struts, that the battery had to be disconnected and the computer needs to reprogram? I do not understand why it was idling fine before and now the idle is high- just after it leaves the shop. I am going to drive it around tomorrow and see what it does. Maybe it is just where the engine was not fully warmed up, as I live fairly close to the repair shop. Thanks again.

When I thought my 90 LS400 needed springs, I called the local Lexus dealer and they quoted me a price of $100.15 each. Turned out that it was just my struts. Now my car is fine. Good luck.

Sounds like worn bushings in the front struts.

Thanks. Actually, I had them replaced at an independent repair shop- where I have taken my cars for a while. I never thought to ask them about the alignment. I am really concerned, as the car has almost brand new $450 tires on it and I do not want to ruin them. Thanks again.

I had new rear struts installed on my 90 LS400. The car had 4-wheel alignment 6 months ago. Since I had new rear struts installed- do I need to have my car re-aligned? Thanks.

To further update- the new Toyota struts are installed and the car once again has a soft, smooth ride. The struts that were on it were indeed high performance "KYB" struts. They are gray and the ones I just installed are black. The rear end will press down much easier and the suspension absorbs a lot more bumps. I guess the car now has a ride like it had 13 years ago. I am interested to know however- what all in the interior has to be removed to change the rear strust? Someone said rear seat only, but someone else said rear seat and package shelf. I would like to know what all parts, so I can inspect it tomorrow in the light, to see if anything was damaged. I think all is well however. At least the ride is smooth again. Thanks again for all of the replies.

Well, my car is at the shop getting the struts replaced as I type this. I only hope that it is indeed the struts and not the springs that are giving it the overly firm ride. If not, I will have to pay $200 for springs, then probably another $90 to have them installed. I told the mechanic to check the struts that are on it and if they are the Toyota struts- not to change them as it would obviously be the springs causing it. I just keep thinking that if the owner had the springs replaced, that they would have done so when the struts was replaced. Nothing about the springs was on the receipt- only the brakes, tires and struts, belts (as needed) and 4-wheel alignment. **ALSO** Will I need to have my car re-aligned from having rear struts installed, or is that only for the front?

Actually, consider yourself lucky. I am trying everthing I can to get my Lexus to have the factory "floaty" suspension. I have a 1990 LS400 that the previous owner installed "KYB" struts on the rear and the rear suspension is overly firm. The rear suspension picks up ALL bumps in the road, with little "pitching" motions. Also, the rear of my car is very difficult to press down. The car is at the shop as I type this, getting factory OEM Toyota struts installed. I hope this takes care of the problem. If not, then obviously the springs was changed as well with heavy duty struts, so I will have to change those also. Keep in mind that this car was probably designed to have a softer, floatier ride than your Cadillac STS. If I recall, the STS is kind of like Cadillacs sports car? If so, then it will have a firmer ride. These LS400s are supposed to have a somewhat "floaty" feel. But if your car has severe bounce, I would guess that they are worn. If so, I would recommend getting the factory Toyota (OEM) struts, to have a smooth ride that the car had when new. I am guessing that your suspension is justy fine. How many miles are on it? I think they will typicallly last to about 200K. Keep us posted.

It's a 2001 LS 430, which took off like a rocket, speeding out of control immediately after I let up on the brake after putting the car in drive. The brakes didn't work either, and I ended up in a ditch. Someone could have been killed. This sounds like a severe, life threatening issue. Is the car still under warranty? I agree with MIG. This sounds like a problem that the 1980s Audi's had. It was dangerous problem with those cars.

I just called the Lexus dealer and the rear springs are $100.15 each, so I really do not want to replace these unless I absolutely have to. If I replace the struts and it still has a firm ride, is there a way to weaken the springs? When I press down on the rear of the car- it does not want to go down too much. Could this be a indicator that it is the springs, or could the firm struts still cause this? I just want the smoothest ride possible. I was behind a 1995-97 LS400 today and it was floating over the bumps like it was on a cloud. My rear of my car was not absorbing the bumps nearly as good as the other LS400. I know for a fact that my car did not come from the factory with a ride this firm. I wish the previous owner had of left the original struts on this car. I called the shop and they said to bring it tomorrow and it will be done by the time that they close @ 6. Any additional information greatly appreciated.

No, they can flash on and off. The initial illumination means something is wrong and it will likely get worse and illuminate more often. I am not 100% sure, but I think there is a way to check the "stored codes". At least I think that is the case on General Motors cars.

I think it may just be blown as well, since the interior lights are responding to the door switches.

Hello. What exactly do you mean by "noisy interior"? Do you mean it already has squeaks and rattles?

Actually- all of the 1990s also have the "door open" light. Not only is it shown in the owners manual, but I can see the light on my car (look up toward the top part of the instrument cluster- just behind the black cover), but it just does not illuminate. If I recall correctly, I think my car was manufactured in January of 1990. Perhaps its just that the bulb in our cars is blown out?

I have not had the car that long, nor have I had it on the freeway yet. The only days I drive it is on my days off, as I have several other cars. I will actually be driving it on the freeway tomorrow, so I may have the chance to take it over 3000 RPMs. I actually live just off of a 4-lane state highway- that I have to pull onto. It goes up a slight grade as I get on the highway, which is where I have had it to about 3000 rpms. It has enough power even at 3000 RPMs on the grade to accelerate swiftly, where my other cars require 3500-4000 rpms to reach the same speed at the same point. I am really impressed with the performance of this engine. Seems like many here really take off at rocket speeds- especially those that go to 6000 rpms. Maybe one day I will really see how fast it can get to 60 mph. I do know that my uncle has "tested" the acceleration on my aunts LS400 on several occasions.

Mine does not illuminate either- no matter which door is open. Someone said it could be with the door switches, but my interior lights still illuminate when the any of the doors are opened, so I am still unsure if that is the problem.

The front ones may have been changed before. The front suspension seems supple and comfortable, but still providing excellent handling, without excessive bounce. Is there any way I can tell if the rear springs are original? Are the performance springs thicker? The springs on my car look thin, but as mentioned, the rear will not press down easily.

I think the front struts are original. According to that receipt, the springs was not changed when the struts and brakes were installed. If they did indeed change the springs, would that make the ride firm? Do they make a "comfort" spring and "performance" spring? I took a look at the struts and springs this evening and both are black and look like standard parts. I did notice that one of the rubber coverings over one of the struts are torn. Could this indicate original springs? If my car needs new springs, how much labor is involved in that? I also tried pressing on the rear of my car and the rear is difficult to press down. Any additional advice appreciated.

Some folks on the Camry site have been talking about powershifting automatics, but not redlining the engines. I was happy to report a very low maximum RPM for my Lexus. I have never had to take my LS400 past 2900 RPMs. The acceleration is good, even below 3000 RPM's on these cars. So I was wondering- what is the highest RPM's you have had to take your car to? I never took my old 93 Camry past 3500 RPMs. I have occasionally taken my 92 Buick to 3500 RPMs and most recently (today)- the highest RPM I have taken the Buick @ about 4900-5000 RPMS. It does not yellowline to about 5500 amd redline at about 6200 RPMs however. I do not like to even take this car over 3500 RPMS, but sometimes on the beltway- it is needed in this Buick.

Thanks. It definetely does not ride like its on a cushion. The front suspension seems soft and supple, but not floaty. The rear suspension is quite firm and picks up a lot of bumps. The previous owner had them installed about 6 months ago- (3000 miles). The only thing it says on the receipt is "KYB struts - rear" $79.99 each and installation $50.00 per strut. The receipt did not say anything about new springs. I am hoping it is only fact that these are performance aftermarket struts. I would hate to pay $90 labor to have these installed only to have the same harsh ride. When I test drove my Lexus, I thought that the ride was a little firm for a LS400, as I have ridden in my aunts 1990 LS400 and was sure that it had a soft, cushy ride. Thanks again.

The struts that are on there have only been on there for about 6 months. They were put on by the previous owner before they sold it. According to the receipt- all it says is "KYB struts" $79.95 each. I think the car rides too much like a sports car, with a firm rear suspension, which is why I went to Lexus/Toyota to get factory struts, to get a softer ride. Then I discovered "KYB" on the Toyota struts. I am assuming that the struts on it now are performance struts. ??????

I am replacing the "KYB" struts that the previous owner had installed before I bought the car, (according to the receipt) with geniune "Lexus-Toyota" struts. I have been under the impression that " KYB " and " Toyota-Lexus " struts were totally different. I thought that "KYB" was a aftermarket high performance strut. I just noticed something strange to me just a few moments ago however. I took the Lexus (Toyota) struts out of the trunk of my Buick and placed them in the trunk of the Lexus, so they would be there when I took it to the shop. Before doing so- before I took them out of the trunk of the Buick- I opened one of the packages to see what they looked like. They do say "TOYOTA" on them, as well as a lot of Japanese letters, but I noticed at the bottom it reads "K Y B". What is going on here? Are they the same? I bought the Lexus-Toyota struts, as the rear suspension of my car seems to be way too firm for a LS400. If I have these Toyota struts installed, is my car still going to have that overly firm ride, or does KYB make two different types of struts (supple factory and performance)? I would hate to pay $110 for these struts and then $90 installation, only to have the same ride. ANY information appreciated.

Just thought I would post this. Here is a 1991 LS400 on E-Bay, with the "LS 400" on the trunk. BTW- lot of money for a high mile car isn't it? $7995. for a car with 206K? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...&category=14240

I thought that as well when I first bought my LS400. The remote key was not working. I was on my way to get a battery for it when I noticed the "remote" on-off switch on the instrument panel. It was off- so I switched it on and now it works perfectly. About your key - did you try to "pry" on it a little?