eatingupblacktop

Personally I would just watch out for those craters. If you're planning to get fatter sidewalls, to do it properly, you should keep the overall tire/wheel circumference the same - meaning for a substantial change, unfortunately you'd have to change the rims to match the tires.

It would be interesting to know whether these failures ocurred only after the repairs were done and not before. If so, it would indicate that the repairs are not the solution to the problem. Or, could it mean the repairs actually caused the failures. Either scenario does not bode well for Toyota.

Free car payments, free gas for a year, free upgrades, free barbeques for a year, free babies ... it's just beginning ... could be a buyers Bonanza! How about a free trip to the international space station for a week! :P Then I'll buy for sure!

Low profile tires running high pressure instead of big fat mudders (best defence against the urban jungle pothole), alloy rims instead of steel wheels, driving into one of those road canyons at a good clip and yea, poof, there goes another! Ever watch the heavy modded 'vip's' with their front air dams just inches off the roadway take a ramp from a parking lot or driveway? Always sideways, so they don't damage the front end. They're very protective of all they've invested into their cars, so, they only drive them on roads they know. When you set out in a sporty car with nice rims, watch the road, and if you don't know the road, be prepared to dodge those craters. Otherwise, get a set of fatter sidewalls. Don't like to agree w a Stealer, but this time he's right!

Congrats looks great! Twin DWP's! How do you decide which one to take out? So, given your vehicle ownership history, what's next for Billy?

If they don't bring them back, I bet Hummers like some Pontiacs will become collectors' items.

Check that it's fully released and not dragging.

So if you just got it, why not ask the person you bought it from?

I'm sure there will be a warranty component of some sort as well. It has to be more than the usual slow season incentives. Buyers now have the excuse (at least all those who panic, run and hide everytime they hear bad news) to switch to American products (patriotism doesn't hurt either) or other brands. Those other brands are not asleep at the switch and will definitely have sales programs enticing buyers to change. Toyota is most aware of their situation and has to come up with counter measures to keep their share of the market - damage control, financial incentives, safety reassurances, warranty programs, etc. About the lifetime warranties. There's a Chev dealer up here who for a few years now, has offered them on their used cars as long as you do the warranty maintenance service at their shop. Fine print would be interesting to read. Prob the same exclusions as the aftermarket programs carry. This would be an excellent time for Hyundai or others to raid Toyota's pool of engineers and designers with incentives to take some company secrets along with them as they did last time. I'm sure many of them will be looking for work once Toyota starts to clean house of who they think are the weakest links in their ongoing probs. The smart ones will get out early.

Ok, here ya go: http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/steering/psflush.html http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/transmission/transflush.html

An oil sample sent to a lab, like Chevron's labs here in Sf Bay area, would have cost a bundle, proving a point to no one who would really care. Agreed! There are plenty of well read threads on oil & UOA's. The former Mburnickas was the self appointed LOC UOA meister and advocate. You can find a lot of reading here: http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showforum=13

Double check all your connections and that nothing was damaged.

Props for putting a positive spin on a seemingly depressing circumstance Killer!

I'll look for a post either here or at CL that had some pix. I've meant to look for it to find out if it's available to order as a part, even if you have to import it or do some retrofit. Don't know if there are aftermarket kits but I'd rather go OEM anyway. Obviously useful and looks great in the pix. When I find it I'l post it here.

I wonder if Billy has put together an index yet?

Not to mention the O2 sensors, pcv, egr, manifold, etc., oh yes, and of course the perverbial alternator. Much info esp pinned in the LS section.

You know Danny, in the beginning, I was quite amused by some of your earlier posts ... now I'm a bit concerned. It's not a rant. It's not a monologue. It's not a dissertation. It's a rambling mess! You're embarrassing yourself. :chairshot: My advice ... think twice about what you're going to write, edit it down to about 5 lines of type, then read it out loud to yourself before posting to see if it makes sense. Something else you might consider. There may be some LOC members who have or had an audi, porsche, or (like myself) a bimmer, but believe me, no one here is even slightly interested in anything your co-workers have to say. Now don't take this as an insult, :whistles: but I suggest you keep it Lexus or go post at VW.

NIce nice, always liked the 1st gen SC. Congrats and welcome to the club!

Fresh out of peanuts, but of all the snakeoils, Regane has one of the better reps. Though with 330K I'd be carefull of a cleaner dislodging gunk from the bottom of your tank and clogging your filter or pump. Also, I'm sure you know to use it just before an oil change. IMO, if you stick with quality fuel and regularly do some WOT's, your injectors shouldn't give you any probs. For some good reading, here are a couple of links: http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...mp;#entry395351 and a monster thread on the subject: http://www.automotiveforums.com/t54232.html

Welcome to the club! Must have got it for free, otherwise you would have inspected before buying. Sounds like you're not a diy. Since you got it for free, you could spend a few bucks and have it checked out at a reputable garage. Your probs could be caused by any number of reasons. Or you could save up and buy one that runs decently. Your "height-normal" light should tell you to look for one with a conventional suspension, especially in a '90. One thing's for sure, I wouldn't drive it until you sort out at least the fuel smell. You know, any vehicle, even a tank, can be destroyed if abused properly.

Ditto. Landar, how about sending them to china. They'll fix them up and sell them back to us all shiny and new! :P

Welcome to the club shels! You likely have a defective brake light switch. Check if your brakes light up when you apply the pedal.

Bounjour mon ami. Nice to see you park her for the winter. My wife's parents are from la belle ville de Quebec, so I know it well. As for Alexis new shoes, short of putting them on, the only way to get an idea is to photoshop them onto your car. Take some shots of your car at roughly the same angle as the rims and pop them in. This way you can try different styles to decide which look the best. C'est ca.

That's not dripping with sarcasm, is it Billy? :D Actually, my timing belt was made in the US of A.... (of only the finest Chinese materials <_< ) :o Where'd I put them aspirins.... well, you know how old people are.... rude, opinionated, (maybe just a little sarcastic), but< after working for GMC Truck & Coach Division of General Motors, in Parts supply, and after 30 years of running my own 7 stall garage and using OEM and aftermarket parts, comparing them, seeing results, and knowing there are only a few real companys that make parts, I know some things I would not like to put in print here.... better stop... put the aspirins in the glove until you see me, I'll take them. Didnt really mean to offend anyone.... but sure would like to keep you from "wasting" your funds. But, if it brings you peace of mind, it wouldn't be a waste after all.... Truly sorry.. I will try not to post in these areas.. Billy, no offence taken by anyone, I'm sure! This is no time to get overly sensitive. These types of posts are highly entertaining and give everyone a break from the typical dry, monotonous, same old daily reading on all forums. Just like your car collection over the years, your experience as a professional would be most interesting to hear about. So, now that you've brought it up, please fire away, our ears are burning.