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ccf913

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About ccf913

  • Birthday 04/05/1965

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  • Lexus Model
    LS400

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  1. To answer the question about the LS430 wheels fitting on your 1991 LS400, the LS430 uses 16" wheels. The 1990-1992 models were 15" standard. I, luckily, have the 1994 model, so I was able to get some beautiful LS430 wheels for my car. Any questions about what various wheel sizes will do to your speedo reading can be found at: www.autotrixx.com. Unfortunately, they are under construction. But when they come back up, you should be able to get the specs for wheel size, bolt patter, offset, hub bore, and the suggested tire size. So, for instance, a 1994+ LS 400 per their site states that for the following, the bolt pattern is 5 x 114.3; offset ET40; hub bore 60.1. So at wheel size 16x7, the suggested tire size is 225/60 x 16, same for 16x7.5. At 17 x 7.5 or 17 x 8, suggested tire size is 245/50 x 17; and at 18 x 8, suggested tire size is 245/40 x 18. Hope that helps!
  2. About the PS pump. Mine went out shortly after I bought it at 127,000 miles. I expected that to happen. Cost was around $1800 at my local dealership. They do not use reman parts. They also replaced some sort of sensor as well. So basically, I got an entire PS replacement--and a complementary car wash with some espresso, too. I also go to the dealer to get my oil changed. For comparison purposes, I pay about $50 for an oil change. While there, they do the Jiffy Lube thing and check all the other stuff and put air in the tires which I hate to do. And, another complementary car wash and I get to use their espresso machine, cruise the gift shop, chat with my favorite sales rep and look at some cars. The nice thing about getting the car repaired there is that I drive my Lexus in, and drive out with a much newer Lexus loaner car. I've driven the RX330 and ES300 now and still think my 1994 LS400 is still, by far, the best car they have made. Just my two cents!
  3. You're welcome, Taz. Frankly, I was concerned when I talked to the Lexus dealer who sold me the part that he couldn't ship it via air because it contained an explosive. An explosive?!? I thought I'd have to hire the dealer to install it. The tube that goes down into the B pillar from the retractor is the explosive. Lots of warnings on it. Don't worry about it, though. You don't have to take the little rubber cap off it to connect it to anything. It just settles down into the hole in the B pillar and doesn't cause any problems. I've used my seatbelt since I've installed it and I'm very happy with the results. I think the part is not as nice as the original, as the "feel" of the piece that hooks into the other side when you wear it is not as smooth nor does it have the same feel as the original. But hey, it's better than constantly snugging it up as I'm driving or reeling it in when I get out of the car else it'll get caught in the car door. My concern wasn't getting into an accident, but getting pulled over for speeding (I'm due for a ticket any time now) and then having the cop see my seatbelt isn't working properly and ticketing me for that, too. I've done a lot of work on this car, mostly cosmetic, and saved a lot of money. I even got an offer while I was at a stop light, by someone who wanted to know if I wanted to sell it. Got it Nov. 2002. It's a fantastic vehicle. Enjoy yours!
  4. Just take a flathead screwdriver and pry up across the running board. It'll pop out. There are little plastic things across it underneath that just fit into the holes in the frame. They're pretty strong, so as long as you just pull it up evenly and work across it without just pulling up all on one side, you'll be fine. You'll have to do it to the one in the back as well. The same goes for the B pillar. Just pop it off. Then you'll just need to pry off the covers to the bolts at the top and bottom of the belt assembly, and ratchet them off. They're on pretty tight. Pull the carpet away from the side of the car as much as it can tolerate. There are plastic tab things holding them on under the running boards. You can see them easily, just pop them off with the same screwdriver. At the B pillar now: there's a smaller bolt at the top of the retracting portion that holds that whole retracting belt plastic part in. Just ratchet that off. That's not on so tight. Then just pull the assembly out of the hole in the B pillar. There is a set of cabling with a rectangular connector head in a plastic protector, that will go to the side of the running board next to the front seat. It is held in with a plastic pin, too, against the body. Pry that away from the body. Then squeeze the two edges of the protector cover over the plug-ins (there are two). That'll lift off them so you can disconnect them from the head. They're like phone cable connectors. Then just take that whole assembly out and replace with the new one and just retrace your steps. The easiest way is to just take the car apart first to see what you're up against and have the new part too to see what parts go where. The part comes with a line diagram showing how it's to fit in the car but you won't really need that if you just see how it's in there as you're taking it out. Very easy. If you can figure out how to take things apart and put them together without directions, you can figure this out. Trust me, I'm a "girl" and I figured it out just fine--but I'm a bit better with spatial relationships than most women are. Took me maybe 30-45 minutes tops--mostly because I had to really put some elbow grease into getting the bolts untightened. I've taken my LS400 apart quite a lot making a lot of interior repairs and most things just pop off with the help of a screwdriver. Don't be too afraid to break anything. It's really pretty durable. Also, my car has the memory seats, the adjustable everything, so you'll be fine. Good luck!
  5. Finally got it. Make sure you get the right color. Took me about 30-45 minutes to install it. Works great and cost only $200! I purchased mine from Jose Diaz through parts.com. He's at Park Place Lexus in TX. Make sure if you have the beige interior, that you order the part that ends in E0 and not B0 which is gray.
  6. I average about 14 mpg as well. About 240 per tank. Long trips (about 4.5 hours driving, 300 miles each way) gets me almost 400 miles per tank at about 21 mpg. Premium here in the Kansas City metro area today was $1.93. I like to floor it a lot. Most of my driving is stop and go with a 10 mile per way trek to work each day. Very little highway driving. A/C always on. I also have remote start, so the car idles a bit (to cool it down in the summer and heat it up in the winter) before I get into it.
  7. Yes, going to have to replace. It's not hard. Just pry up the running board cover by the seat, then it'll let you access the cover over the seatbelt area. I ordered my replacement for less than $200 from www.parts.com from oemwholesale. I haven't received it yet, but can't wait because I feel like I'm not safe without my retractor working. Plus, if I get caught speeding or something, I'll probably get a ticket. Good luck!
  8. I found this great deal at www.parts.com and clicked on oemwholesale.com. They are selling my part for $176.70 and will use my shipping account. Best deal yet!
  9. Okay! I'll try doing that and seeing if it'll retract a bit. That'd be a lot better. Hard to go into reverse without a little play in the belt. ;)
  10. Just got a quote from my Lexus dealer $290. Unbelieveable! The lowest quote I got was $200 from AmericanLexusParts.com. But your deal sounds better. I'll check that out. In the meantime, I've managed to jam the belt somehow so I can still wear it for the time being.
  11. You can also get a new owner's manual by going to www.lexus.com and signing up as an owner. You can order one online for free. The tires I got for my 94 Lexus are Bridgestone Turanza V-rated. They are EXCELLENT and reasonably-priced (about $130/tire). 225/60R16 Turanza LS-V with 40,000 mile warranty. Got them at Costco. Great warranty and road hazard warranty. No hidden costs. Just $129.99 per tire and 50 cent Missouri tire fee each. $4.00 for 4 tire disposal, balanced the spare for $4.00. Added tax. Total $566.73. Great job. They were special orders. Good luck! P.S. Don't get Dunlops. They're LOUD!
  12. To answer your power steering problem. If the power steering fluid is leaking as was a design flaw, it will leak on the alternator causing you to replace that, too. The cost to replace the power steering system for my 94 at the dealership was a little over $1700. Also, gaskets on an old car will eventually need to be replaced. I've put a lot of money in my 94 which I just bought in 11/02, but I love that thing so much, I don't care so long as it keeps running and I can charge it to my credit card! Also check that the A/C control LCD panel isn't turning black. That's about an $800 dealer charge. Tune-ups cost about $800 for the 120,000 mile (60,000 mile) tune-up. But well worth it.
  13. Hi! I bought my LS430 wheels for my 1994 LS400 from ebay seller victoriatire. Just search for buyer with this name. They were honest, shipped fast, and sold these to me for a heckuva deal! Also provided info that I needed. Good luck!
  14. Less than $200 at dealer prices and an hour to replace--that sounds manageable. Thanks for the info. I'm glad to hear that THIS repair I can afford!!!
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