gld98682

Anyone know of a quality independent shop in the Portland, OR area? I visited Elite Automotive in Tualatin. They specialize in Lexus. Anyone have any comments on Elite or anyone else in the Portland area?

Thanks, Gary

Used to live up that way. Omni Brake and Alignment is great for brake and suspension work. They are located in Kirkland.

Good Luck

Dealer quoted me $573 for pump and belts.

I purchased a 1997 ES300 with 82,000 miles. Thanks to this forum, I diagnosed the front end "rattle" as bad strut mounts.

While the dealer came to the same conclusion, his approach to the job was to replace the mounts ONLY, and reuse the old struts. This "repair" was quoted at $500.

1. Is the dealer off base in reusing the old struts?

2. Any thoughts about using KYB vs factory struts and strut mounts?

3. If I replace the rear struts, should I do rear strut mounts too?

Thanks,

Gary

I've been happy with Irontoad.com

Good Luck,

Gary

WOW. The Mr Clean Magic Eraser is awesome. Don't know how it works, but it sure does. I picked up the product in the home /cleaning aisle at Wal Mart. 2 for $1.88. Such a deal on a great product!

Removal of the "Lexus" from the left corner of the trunk lid, and removal of the "ES300" from the right corner is easy to do, and leaves a clean uncluttered look with no body holes.

I used low heat from a heat gun, and small pop-cicle sticks, and lots of patience to remove my badges.

The Lexus "swooch" at the center of the trunk lid and hood however, is pinned, and will leave 3 holes showing.

Good Luck.