New to LS400 ownership

[Hooloovoo]

Hi All,

Just introducing myself as it seems to be the norm on here.  Just bought an LS400 (R-Reg) yesterday from a private seller near Nottingham and driven it home (near to London).

Back in 1990 I was just 17 years old and a very kind Lexus dealer let me sit in one of these brand new (at the time) models.  He also gave me a Lexus brochure which I have mislaid but I'm sure I have it somewhere.  Well it's taken 26 years but I finally have my dream car (albeit an old one).  Very happy with it so far but even though it's old I want to look after it (it's not in bad condition considering its age).  Can any of you guys give me any advice on where to start, is it a good idea to take it to a specialist to give it the once-over and see if anything needs attention?  I can do basic stuff myself but I'm no mechanic.

I know it had the obligatory cam-belt change approx. 33,000 miles ago so that shouldn't need doing for a while.  I did feel a bit of juddering and steering wobble when braking (although not to the extent where I was losing control).  Is that normal?

Appreciate any help or advice you kind folks can give me.

Many thanks.

[The-Acre]

Welcome to the LOC Rob.  The steering wobble is common, usually caused by warped discs, and usually felt over 50MPH when braking, easy and fairly cheap to replace.   Not a bad idea to take it to someone you can trust for a general check, but they need to be familiar with these cars really.  The main concerns will probably only be suspension parts, but if you don't have any knocks or creaks you should be OK.  Have the exhaust Y piece checked for leaks. Enjoy!

[PCM]

Japex in Kings Langley might be able to help...

Enjoy!

[Bluesman]

Hi Rob and welcome to the LOC, we are a friendly bunch and some of us even know how to pull them to bits and put them back together again, with of course the one bolt and washer left over.

We recommend you spend a couple of mins looking over the rules of the LOC, we will be asking questions later.

http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/terms-conditions/

 

Regards Mike

[Hooloovoo]

On 01/05/2016 at 8:15 AM, The-Acre said:

Welcome to the LOC Rob.  The steering wobble is common, usually caused by warped discs, and usually felt over 50MPH when braking, easy and fairly cheap to replace.   Not a bad idea to take it to someone you can trust for a general check, but they need to be familiar with these cars really.  The main concerns will probably only be suspension parts, but if you don't have any knocks or creaks you should be OK.  Have the exhaust Y piece checked for leaks. Enjoy!

Hi Phil,

Thanks a lot for the advice (and the welcome).  I would imagine the discs are something that needs to be done ASAP to avoid over-wearing the pads so I will do so; are the rear ones likely to be affected as well?

I knew about the exhaust problem being common; the chap I bought it from had a minor leak last MOT but only needed a little paste to fix.  Still I'll get it checked.  It also had the suspension bushes done as that was noted on the MOT as well, so I didn't mind buying it with that history.

On 01/05/2016 at 9:37 AM, PCM said:

Japex in Kings Langley might be able to help...

Enjoy!

Piers,

Many thanks for the recommendation.  Before buying my car I just happened to see a Lexus Soarer in my local supermarket car park.  I got talking to the owner and he said he uses DS Automotives in Aylesbury but they are a bit further from me than Japex so I may well try Japex first.  You may well have saved me some fuel!  ;o)

23 hours ago, Bluesman said:

Hi Rob and welcome to the LOC, we are a friendly bunch and some of us even know how to pull them to bits and put them back together again, with of course the one bolt and washer left over.

We recommend you spend a couple of mins looking over the rules of the LOC, we will be asking questions later.

http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/terms-conditions/

 

Regards Mike

Mike,

Again, thanks for the welcome.  You do seem like a friendly bunch.  I think I am giong to enjoy being a member almost as much as I enjoy my new motor!

Ha ha, yes I often used to have a bit left over.  I believe it's called an 'Exeter'?

Regards to you all and thanks again.

Rob.

[PCM]

"Piers,

Many thanks for the recommendation.  Before buying my car I just happened to see a Lexus Soarer in my local supermarket car park.  I got talking to the owner and he said he uses DS Automotives in Aylesbury but they are a bit further from me than Japex so I may well try Japex first.  You may well have saved me some fuel!  ;o)"

 

My pleasure.

I used to own a Soarer 4.0 V8 - best car ever!  [ Apart from in snow ]

[The-Acre]

 I would imagine the discs are something that needs to be done ASAP to avoid over-wearing the pads so I will do so; are the rear ones likely to be affected as well?

Interestingly you don't read much regarding the rear discs but I guess they do get affected by warping, although braking at the front end will always be heavier. I would however change the pads as well if you put new discs on, even genuine Lexus pads are fairly cheap-ish.  One of the few things that are!  Plenty of discs available on the net but I would avoid the cheap ones, I bought some for my LS400 and they warped again within 3 months.  The wobble can also be caused by a sticking caliper but less likely on a MK4 which I believe doesn't have the front caliper slide pins, although I'm guessing yours is a MK3 so I'm not sure if it has pins. 

[Hooloovoo]

On 02/05/2016 at 0:13 PM, The-Acre said:

 I would imagine the discs are something that needs to be done ASAP to avoid over-wearing the pads so I will do so; are the rear ones likely to be affected as well?

Interestingly you don't read much regarding the rear discs but I guess they do get affected by warping, although braking at the front end will always be heavier. I would however change the pads as well if you put new discs on, even genuine Lexus pads are fairly cheap-ish.  One of the few things that are!  Plenty of discs available on the net but I would avoid the cheap ones, I bought some for my LS400 and they warped again within 3 months.  The wobble can also be caused by a sticking caliper but less likely on a MK4 which I believe doesn't have the front caliper slide pins, although I'm guessing yours is a MK3 so I'm not sure if it has pins. 

Hiya Phil,

I have a local independent I trust enough to do the brakes; I'll get them to have a quick look at the rear ones as well, just in case.  They told me today that I'd have to change the pads if I change the discs anyway.  Do you reckon it would it be best to get some discs on the net and get my local to obtain the pads, or would it be more advisable to ask them to obtain the matching parts?  I want to pamper this car and give it the best chance of running beautifully.

Sorry to hear about your cheap discs; that must have been really annoying.  I think mine is a MK3 because I've not got SatNav on it.  Also, the chap I bought it from never changed the key fob batteries because he thought he would have to re-programme the fobs but I think I'm right in saying that is a MK4 problem?  I changed the batteries today and they work great!  Batteries only cost a couple of quid, too.

One more question; does anyone have any advice on how to dry out the bottom of the boot?  The previous owner left it open once and rain got in; I know it can be a common problem that the seal goes but I think he's being truthful because the seal looks in good condition all round.  Anyway, I managed to get some of the little pools of water out with a car sponge but the actual material which is stuck to the bottom (under the spare wheel) is still soaked and a bit whiffy!  Will it dry out eventually or is there a way to speed up the process?  I do have a de-humidifier but I think it's too tall even to fit inside an LS400 boot, I suppose I could leave it open on a sunny day?  What do you reckon?

Thanks again.

Rob.

[Bluesman]

I cant believe leaving the boot open just the once has given you carpet stuck to the floor and dreadful smell, I bet it is the seal. It only needs to be the smallest of holes for the water to get in. Mike.

[The-Acre]

3 hours ago, Hooloovoo said:

Hiya Phil,

I have a local independent I trust enough to do the brakes; I'll get them to have a quick look at the rear ones as well, just in case.  They told me today that I'd have to change the pads if I change the discs anyway.  Do you reckon it would it be best to get some discs on the net and get my local to obtain the pads, or would it be more advisable to ask them to obtain the matching parts?  I want to pamper this car and give it the best chance of running beautifully.

Sorry to hear about your cheap discs; that must have been really annoying.  I think mine is a MK3 because I've not got SatNav on it.  Also, the chap I bought it from never changed the key fob batteries because he thought he would have to re-programme the fobs but I think I'm right in saying that is a MK4 problem?  I changed the batteries today and they work great!  Batteries only cost a couple of quid, too.

One more question; does anyone have any advice on how to dry out the bottom of the boot?  The previous owner left it open once and rain got in; I know it can be a common problem that the seal goes but I think he's being truthful because the seal looks in good condition all round.  Anyway, I managed to get some of the little pools of water out with a car sponge but the actual material which is stuck to the bottom (under the spare wheel) is still soaked and a bit whiffy!  Will it dry out eventually or is there a way to speed up the process?  I do have a de-humidifier but I think it's too tall even to fit inside an LS400 boot, I suppose I could leave it open on a sunny day?  What do you reckon?

Thanks again.

Rob.

I agree with Mike, probably the seal. Either get a new one or do as some do, take the old one off, clean the metal and the seal then replace using clear silicone to fix it.  The problem is water getting between the seal and the metal lip, more noticeable if you park downhill (or maybe uphill I can't remember)  If you really want to be sure you can buy genuine Lexus discs from their eBay store for about £70 each, but I'd be happy to buy the ones that come with Mintex pads for about £85 all in, that's what I did and they were OK. 

[Dazzr]

I had a pearl white ls400, great car never gave me any troubles. Never managed to completely fill the boot. Second to none for long road trips. 

[Hooloovoo]

On 02/05/2016 at 0:13 PM, The-Acre said:

 I would imagine the discs are something that needs to be done ASAP to avoid over-wearing the pads so I will do so; are the rear ones likely to be affected as well?

Interestingly you don't read much regarding the rear discs but I guess they do get affected by warping, although braking at the front end will always be heavier. I would however change the pads as well if you put new discs on, even genuine Lexus pads are fairly cheap-ish.  One of the few things that are!  Plenty of discs available on the net but I would avoid the cheap ones, I bought some for my LS400 and they warped again within 3 months.  The wobble can also be caused by a sticking caliper but less likely on a MK4 which I believe doesn't have the front caliper slide pins, although I'm guessing yours is a MK3 so I'm not sure if it has pins. 

Hi Phil,

I had the car checked last week.  Pads warped all round :o(

However plenty of my budget left to cover that thankfully.  I'm going to search for new ones (I need pads as well).  I'll get the best I can. I don't want to cut corners; my new baby is going to be pampered.  ;o)

[Hooloovoo]

On 03/05/2016 at 10:30 PM, The-Acre said:

I agree with Mike, probably the seal. Either get a new one or do as some do, take the old one off, clean the metal and the seal then replace using clear silicone to fix it.  The problem is water getting between the seal and the metal lip, more noticeable if you park downhill (or maybe uphill I can't remember)  If you really want to be sure you can buy genuine Lexus discs from their eBay store for about £70 each, but I'd be happy to buy the ones that come with Mintex pads for about £85 all in, that's what I did and they were OK. 

So far no further problems with the wet boot (after heavy showers I opened the boot and ran my finger around the inside of the rim all the way round - bone dry as was the floor); although my drive is faily level and so far that's the only place it has been sitting when it has rained.  I'll get my local chaps to check it out as well; as you say, there may be an issue on slopes.

[The-Acre]

Don't forget to post some photos, everyone likes photos!