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i have a 2003 lx and i have noticed lately that the rt rear carpet edge(very back passenger side) is wet after driving in rainy weather. its right along the edge where it touches the plastic trim across the back hatch sill. is anyone else having this problem?

I drove the next generation Landcruiser today. Totally different feel than my 03 LX. Acceleration and stability were much improved. It felt more solid and less floaty than the old one. I was very impressed. Looks great too.

i have a 2003 lx470 with 66k on it and am thinking about changing out the ahc and power steering fluids myself. i want to siphon out the reservoirs in the engine bay and add new fluid. i know this method won't totally replace the old fluid but it should take care of most of it. does anyone see any problems with this less than perfect plan?

I have a 2003 lx470 with 66k on it and I am thinking about changing out the ahc and power steering fluid myself. I want to siphon out the reserviors in the engine bay and add new fluid. I know this method wont totally replace the old fluid but it should take care of most of it. does anyone see any problems with this less than perfect method?

I had lexus replace my brakes and machine the rotors at 34k. They were surprised when i told them the mileage and that they are the orginal brakes. They told me most people get 20-25 thousand. I had less than 5% left however.

How far has anybody else gone on one set?

BTW, are the TRD brakes worth it?

I just replaced ft and rear pads myself today on my 03 lx with 62,000k on the orig brakes. The scraper on the rt ft had made contact so that was how I knew it was time. This was the 1st time I've ever attempted a brake job and it wasn't too tough. total cost about $130 for all pads,$20 for 4" channel lock pliers and $3 for brake lube. It took me over 3hrs but won't take as long next time now that I think I know what I'm doing.

The trans fluid dipstick on my 2003 lx470 says "atf fluid does not need to be replaced under normal driving conditions". Is this true?

90K miles. You might also have the water pump replaced, 'cause if that starts to leak (should last at least 120K mi), you have to perform the same amount of work , remove the new t-belt, just to get to the water pump. Use only OEM parts if you expect to get the recommended lifespan. My Lexus dealer (here in AZ) says they found that the V8's are easier on t-belts while the V6's are harsher on them, so they tell me they recommend 105K mi for the V8 t-belt, 75K mi for the V6 t-belt, and that 90K mi is just a general recommendation that covers all environmental conditions in the US. The longest one has driven w/o replacing it (from ih8mud) is 200k mi on a LX470. It looked like it could have broken at any time, so the guy was lucky to have it changed then. You can call around and see if there's a toyota dealer that will replace it. It's a lot less $$ though you don't get the loaner and car wash, but Lexus will honor the warranty if Toyota does the work and you save the receipts to prove it.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE TIMING BELT BREAKS? ON MY 92 SC400 THERE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE NO VALVE DAMAGE DUE TO THE ENGINE DESIGN. YOU ARE JUST STRANDED. I WAITED TILL THE WATER PUMP LEAKED AT THE WEAP HOLE(INDICATING SEAL FAILURE) AND REPLACED EVERYTHING THEN.THAT WAS ON A 10 YEAR OLD CAR WITH 170K ON IT.

how do you remove water spots from the sunroof glass?

i recently had my 03 lx470 loaded with say 800 pounds in the cargo area on a drive from okla. to north carolina. about 3 times i noticed the ride height was on low while cruising down the interstate at 75mph. flipping the switch did nothing but cause the light to flash till i pulled over ,stopped and repeated the procedure. at this pont it would go to the normal position. after unloading the vehicle when i got home the problem has not resurfaced. has anyone had this problem before?

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please only post once in one appropriate forum

I have a 96 SC-300, 59k miles, non smoker, garaged, adult owned (62), Bordeaux Pearl (dark red), tan int., 2 sets of wheels & tires, orig. sticker $49980.00,    $12k.  send your e-mail address & I'll send pictures.  johnny3@fullnet.net

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johnny, could you update the picture of your car in your signature photo. it looks like a beauty but the picture looks like it was taken fom a block away.

Im going to change my shocks.I decided to go with the KYB GR-2.I heard those are the closest to stock,however,every place i call recommends Tokico and say KYB are a poor choice for replacements over OEM and that the Tokicos are far better.Whats up with that?I checked the prices and they are almost exactly the same.

Anyone know whats going on?

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i replaced mine w silver colored kybs from the tire rack & it feels just like factory struts. the original ones on the front had 160,000 miles on this 92 model sc400. there was a lot of noise coming from the front over speed bumps that went away when i replaced them w the kybs. i guess they were really worn out. i read somewhere that shocks dont last more than 100,000 miles or should be replaced then.

guys, i dont really understand why are you talking about 9006 and 9005 while ls400 utilizes 9003 or H4 dual beam bulb? the 6 and 5 bulbs are used on the cars that have separate compatments for the hi and low beams, eg honda accord, acura legend, etc, but there is one BULB on ls400 and it is H4!

i knwo that because i changed them lots of times and now i have an HID kit which is also H4! search ebay for H4 LS400 and you will see that for yourself.

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why did you have to change them"lots of times". do silverstars blow out alot. i have thought about getting some but if they are junk i dont want to waste time & money.

the guy said he changed the struts at one time.Car has 109k on it.I took a look at the back shocks and they were white.Does that mean they are KYB?I couldnt reallyread anything on em,they were dirty.I didnt know 300s ran different from 400s.

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the kybs i put on my sc400 were silver & they feel just like the original ones.not too rough & not too soft in my opinion.

I just recently purchased an awsome 1998 SC400 with 50K miles :D...I am very happy with it...I want to take OEM GS400 17" rims and replace the OEM SC400 16" rims....My question is has anybody out there done this to a SC?....and I am also looking for some suggestions/comments on my idea?...Good or Bad...

Thanks...

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check out my 92 w chrome 17" gs 400 wheels( no modification needed)

If the timing belt was done at the dealership, you can take your VIN number to any dealership and they should be able to tell you if your 60K was done.

A normal 60K consists of new Fluids, Filters, Belts (including the timing belt), plugs and wires.  Most cars nowadays usually have a 60K service done. 

But, theres no need to be paranoid about it.  The car is still drivable.  A 60K is mainly Preventative maintenece.

Even if your timing belt snaps, I'm pretty sure the 1UZ-FE is a non-interference engine (someone might want to verify this for me)  where if the timing belt breaks, the valves will never touch the top of your pistons causing pre-mature engine failure. 

Just make sure to get to it when you have the time/money.

Tommy.

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i have a 92 sc 400 & i waited till 160000 miles to change the water pump,timing belts & tensioners. it should not hurt the motor on a pre1998sc400(98 introduced vvt) it will just strand you. the clue i looked for was a seeping of coolant from the water pump weep hole when the seals on it started to fail.this resulted in coolant on the garage floor. at this point i had the service done.

i noticed that the 2004 lx 470 have dunlops on them now instead of michelin. does any one know why the change was made. i assume the dunlops are cheaper? buy the way the michelins are awesome. how many miles will the michelin tires and the brakes last before they need to be replaced?

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all i know, dunlops are cheap. michelin will get u more miles (brakes will depend on how u use it). so far i've got 10/32 on my Gx which has michelin cross terrains. original is 11/32 and i've got 22k on it! my previous Rx300 had goodyears, were more than half way at 25k!

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i don't understand what 10/32 & 11/32 means.

hi, am new here.  i am considering to purchase a 92 sc300  with 100k on it.  the person is asking 6,500 for it.

things wrong with it:

1-timing belt needs to be replaced

2-gauge cluster has lighting and accuracy problems

3-needs new valve cover gasket

and thats about it. the body and the interior is good. do you guys think is is ok for the car. i mean the kbb value is right on for what he is asking. tell me about your experience with it.

thanks for your reply.

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as for the leaky valve covers . i have a 92 sc400 that had leaky valve covers and all i did was tighten the bolts a little and the leak stopped. try that first.

What parts have you had to replace over the years?

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power steering pump,alternator,starter,water pump & timing belts with tensioners,batteries,window regulators,headlights,shocks,swaybar bushings,radiator,radiator reservoir & coolant level sensor,heater regulator,belts,tires,burnt up cats,spark plugs & wires,instrument light bulbs,fuel filters,torque converter(under warranty),motor & transmission mounts,trunk support shocks(twice),cd changer,,floor mats,ac compressor. i think thats everything.

i just purchased a 1994 sc400,this is the first time i have driven one.

im a 300zx fan but my wife wanted this one.

i must say this is the best car i have driven,even with 189k on it.

i paid $5100 for it,do you guys think i got a good deal?

it is mostly highway miles.

the one flaw in the inside is the steering wheel,its leather wrap is stained to the point of no return.

is there a leather wrap that i can cover this with?

any help would be great.

im glad i found this site,i dont really know this car very well,please excuse the dumb questions i may be asking for a few weeks.

ttcups

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i went to the sporting goods store and bought tennis raquet handle wrap.the kind i bought has a tacky feel to it and worked great. i put it on in sections not one continuous wrap. you can buy charcoal (which matched my leather perfectly) or tan or whatever.

This is probably a dumb question, but I have been trying to figure out where the VIN sequence for the USA 1992 SC300/SC400 cars begins.  As I have never seen or heard of any cars numbered below N0001001, it would seem reasonable that the sequence starts there.  A quick review of cars for sale online today show the lowest VIN as N0001117 for an SC300.  So does anybody know for sure what is the earliest SC300/SC400 VIN in the United States?

Thanks!

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my 92 sc400 has a build date of april 1991 in nagasaki, japan. i can't tell you the vin now though.

im a new sc400 owner,94 with 189k on it.

regarding the timing belt i need help with the following:

1. if the belt breaks will there be any damage?

2.is it true that they almost never break unless the water pump jams up?

i have been told by the service mgr at lexus that he has never seen one break unless the water pump goes bad,he also told me that if it breaks its a non contact

engine so no damage will result.

so he says save the money and other then being stuck some where fix it when and if it breaks.

if he is right i will wait because cash is tight right now.

is all this true?

ttcups.

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i have a 92 sc400 and i had mine replaced last year at 165000 miles.the water pump seal failed so i saw coolant on the garage floor that was coming from the weep hole on the pump. this was telling me the pump would fail soon so i drove it to toyota and had the timing belts,water pump & tensioners replaced.

OK this is REALLY beating a dead horse but....

Does anybody know what the STOCK offsets are for the GS400. I searched both forums and came up with every peice of info except the one I need.

I really like the chrome five spoke wheels that came on the 98 - 2000 GS400's

I just need to know it they are compatible with the SC's +50mm offset. 

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yes they are with no modifications. i have them on my car as you can see. don't buy the bridgestone tires because they ride awful compared to my pirelli p6000 or p7000 supersports that are way less expensive also.

i noticed that the 2004 lx 470 have dunlops on them now instead of michelin. does any one know why the change was made. i assume the dunlops are cheaper? buy the way the michelins are awesome. how many miles will the michelin tires and the brakes last before they need to be replaced?

my wife helped me add a picture of my car to my info. check it out. its a 1992 sc400 that was actually built in april of 1991. i bought it in 1995 with 57,000 miles on it. it had the chrome wagon wheels and was black with grey interior.options included heated seats & traction control but no sunroof. it was love at first site so i bought it for $27,000. i am a pharmacist that hates pharmacy so after taking the car in for service at sewell lexus in dallas the thought came to me that i might want to be a service advisor.i was eventually hired as an estimator at their brand new body shop. i worked there for 2 years and became part of the management team my second year there. it was at the body shop that i upgraded to chrome gs400 wheels(5 of them including the spare)and on my last week there they put a 1998 model front bumper cover on my car as a going away present. this updated the car dramatically to say the least. over the years i have replaced worn out parts and at 174,000 miles it feels just as good as the day i bought it. it is a fantastic car with unbelievable build quality. not 1 rattle. i like lexus so much that last year we went out and bought a 2003 sanddollar lx470 which i plan on keeping for at least 10 years if i can keep affording to keep gas in it. now i am back in pharmacy and have moved to beautiful north carolina.