Squeaky ‘03 SC430 hard-top

twolexii · October 24, 2020

Hi, In the last few weeks, the odd hard-top squeak from behind the driver’s seat, with the TOP UP, caused I assume, by our terrible West Sussex roads, have increased to spoil an otherwise lovely Grand Tourer. Any thoughts? I thought the more humid weather would solve the problem - but no. TOP DOWN, the problem does lessen. On quality dual carriageways, there’s no noise, top up or down. BTW, MoT just passed with no advisories at 80k miles. Thank you

twolexii · October 24, 2020

Squeaks behind me in my ‘03 SC430... Looks from Youtube like I need to thoroughly clean the boot and rubber seals of any vegetation, dust & debris, then apply very light smears of silicone lubricant to the operational metalwork, then have a nice long, quiet (?) test drive.

Next project: find a simple way to replace the crackling nearside bass door-speaker. I get around the problem with the audio-balance control...

BTW, have now done 11k miles since buying my dark blue/white leather/bird’s eye maple car in early 2018. Tip: American Once A Year wax really does work.

Has anyone driven both an early version like my ‘03 and a 2006 onwards model? Is it worth the extra money? And is it simplest to just fit to mine better/newer shock absorbers? I put on the quietest quality non-run-flat tyres in 2018.

Neil E · October 25, 2020

If the shocks are worn, new shocks should make some difference, the newer car is better but the suspension is still not great hence so many swap to adjustable coil-overs.

If you frequently drive the SC in a spirited fashion then yes the newer one is well worth it. The gearbox, the ride and the later tech improvement do make it a little more enjoyable but if yours is a nice example with no advisories that just needs a shock refresh and you are otherwise happy with how it performs, I doubt that it's worth it.

Lexus may still supply replacement door speakers or you might find a good one from a damaged later car. As you're in Sussex contacting Heuts at Hove would probably be a quick way of fixing it, some people have swapped the door bass units for Alpine oval speakers successfully. They are usually 4 ohm instead of 8 ohm but seem to work fine and are easy to fit.

twolexii · October 25, 2020

Thank you Neil, I’ll call Huets at Hove, a pleasant ride from me via Amberley. Huets Car Audio Shoreham-by-Sea 01273-441845.

I’m happy with my older SC430, its ride, handling and rare colour combination. Having owned a sportier ‘05 MB SLK280 for 5 years, the SC’s quiet, better suspension over my poor local roads and large torque suit me better. I average 24.7mpg so I guess not by spirited driving, more by the relaxed open-top long-distance cruising it was designed for.

Do you know what watt-output the SC’s ML amplifier delivers? The ML system on my GS450h is the best Audio I’ve had - no idea what its power output is. I believe that with large amps, lower volume equals less distortion, as long as the speakers and their housing are of high quality. As for the lack of built-in DAB tuning on older cars, the bandwidth on those channels is poor compared to FM, for classical music

Thanks again, Neil.

Neil E · October 25, 2020

Hi Manuel,

When it's fixed, you should find the standard SC430 audio to be superior in quality to the GS. I owned a later GS430 and whilst it was good, it didn't match the SC430. I should say mine is a 2006 but I don't think that makes any difference to the audio quality.

If for any reason Peter Huet can't help with something new, let me know and I will look to see if I have anything in my stores that might do the trick.

twolexii · October 27, 2020

Thank you Neil, now in touch with Peter, who's getting back with ideas. Manuel

twolexii · October 28, 2020

Thank you Neil, now in touch with Peter, who's getting back with ideas. Manuel

twolexii · October 28, 2020

Slightly left-of-field for this SC430 forum, I'm on my third Lexus hybrid, '08 GS450h (sold by mistake) LS600h L RSR (great fun for the grandkids but un-necessary) now '07 95k GS450h.

I've liked all 3, excellent long-life engineering. Yes my local Lexus dealer is very helpful, with its low-cost £59 annual Hybrid Certificate & accompanying 12 months Battery warranty. They do not divulge voltage & capacity readings, let alone individual cell condition. I assume they plug-in a multi-function display-scanner into the car's OEBD socket, the latter that even my '03 has, and is useful for plugging in a solar panel for days away from base.

My point: is there a reliable, affordable, scanner that the enthusiast can buy? Must be a lot less messy than changing oils.

My concern, the bars on the '07 GS450H hybrid capacity screen vary considerably, though steady-state after 2 or so miles is 2 bars below the top, whilst mpg averages just below 35. My Hondas '09 3.5L V6 petrol Legend averaged 26mpg, so the hybrid system saves considerable fuel.

Any thoughts? Thank you.

royoftherovers · October 28, 2020

My GS 450h only shows 2 bars from the top 90% of the time. No worries.

twolexii · October 29, 2020

Peter Huets’ come back with a very reasonable replacement of the two doors’ quality oval bass speakers, all-in at £250, including about 2 hours installation. Will get back, Neil, with the outcome, mid-November.

twolexii · November 7, 2020

Strange, the Autumn weather has dealt with the SC430's squeaky noises. I've deferred Peter Huets' SC430 replacement speakers until after 2 December. Full service and Hybrid check for the GS450h are next week. Am in addition looking for a well-looked-after GS430 as a lazy classic Q-car.

Neil E · November 7, 2020

I like your thinking. The GS430 is indeed a very good, overlooked Q car, though it might be difficult to find a really good one.

It makes more of a blip on the radar but if you're thinking of a 'laid back' classic, the LS430 might be worth a look too. Having driven them all, I would say a well kept example wafts more elegantly than the later LS460/600. Both GS430 models served me well. The earlier model (2001) was more comfortable and better built than the more fun, sporty 2006.

ThomasLexus94 · December 5, 2020

On 10/25/2020 at 12:25 AM, twolexii said:

Squeaks behind me in my ‘03 SC430... Looks from Youtube like I need to thoroughly clean the boot and rubber seals of any vegetation, dust & debris, then apply very light smears of silicone lubricant to the operational metalwork, then have a nice long, quiet (?) test drive.

Next project: find a simple way to replace the crackling nearside bass door-speaker. I get around the problem with the audio-balance control...

BTW, have now done 11k miles since buying my dark blue/white leather/bird’s eye maple car in early 2018. Tip: American Once A Year wax really does work.

Has anyone driven both an early version like my ‘03 and a 2006 onwards model? Is it worth the extra money? And is it simplest to just fit to mine better/newer shock absorbers? I put on the quietest quality non-run-flat tyres in 2018.

Thanks, mine has started to squeak today when I put the roof up & down.

twolexii · December 5, 2020

3 hours ago, ThomasLexus94 said:

Thanks, mine has started to squeak today when I put the roof up & down.

Hi Thomas, my bodywork craftsman got rid of the noise (that only occurred when the top was up) by applying a light smear of silicon grease to the moving parts of the folding mechanism.

Then the ride (on our awful Sussex back roads) deteriorated. Some of the tyre pressures were low - upping them to correct level of 33psi got rid of the poor ride.

To be fair, my benchmark is an ‘07 96k GS450h with brand new Goodyear SportMaxx, very quiet tyres.

Now clacking noises (not squeaks) behind me at my right shoulder have just reappeared. Three thoughts:

1. over-inflate the tyres slightly,

2. ask my tyre fitter for his advice, it could simply be that the SC’s tyres are old and hard, despite having plenty of tread.

3. are the original shock absorbers tired? But the recent MoT had no advisories.

Overall, like me, the SC needs a holiday in the sun. It’s a clean machine...

ThomasLexus94 · December 11, 2020

On 12/5/2020 at 5:39 PM, twolexii said:

Hi Thomas, my bodywork craftsman got rid of the noise (that only occurred when the top was up) by applying a light smear of silicon grease to the moving parts of the folding mechanism.

Then the ride (on our awful Sussex back roads) deteriorated. Some of the tyre pressures were low - upping them to correct level of 33psi got rid of the poor ride.

To be fair, my benchmark is an ‘07 96k GS450h with brand new Goodyear SportMaxx, very quiet tyres.

Now clacking noises (not squeaks) behind me at my right shoulder have just reappeared. Three thoughts:

1. over-inflate the tyres slightly,

2. ask my tyre fitter for his advice, it could simply be that the SC’s tyres are old and hard, despite having plenty of tread.

3. are the original shock absorbers tired? But the recent MoT had no advisories.

Overall, like me, the SC needs a holiday in the sun. It’s a clean machine...

If it helps I put new rubber on my car earlier this year as they were quite old tyres. Hmm clacking would suggest suspension to me but I am not an expert. Perhaps guru Neil could save you ?

twolexii · December 26, 2020

On 12/11/2020 at 5:05 PM, ThomasLexus94 said:

If it helps I put new rubber on my car earlier this year as they were quite old tyres. Hmm clacking would suggest suspension to me but I am not an expert. Perhaps guru Neil could save you ?

Thanks Thomas, is it your videos of your blue SC430 on YouTube?

I'll go see my tyre specialist-cum-mechanic next week. My instinct, affirmed by my engineer, as the intermittent clacking noise is from above my right shoulder, is that the tintop needs adjusting: the ride is excellent and quiet, when top-down. What a unique piece of reliable engineering this car is, for £6k.

If I'm right, does anybody know of a competent independent who I could entrust the tintop to, in London or UK South East? Thanks, and a Happy New Year to All.

BTW am negotiating for a 3rd Lexus, an LS600h... Keeping the '07 GS450h 96k, a fabulous driver's Q-car (a discreet muscle car) limousine, averaging 28mpg. Again, what value for £5k.

twolexii · December 30, 2020

On 12/26/2020 at 12:18 PM, twolexii said:

Thanks Thomas, is it your videos of your blue SC430 on YouTube?

I'll go see my tyre specialist-cum-mechanic next week. My instinct, affirmed by my engineer, as the intermittent clacking noise is from above my right shoulder, is that the tintop needs adjusting: the ride is excellent and quiet, when top-down. What a unique piece of reliable engineering this car is, for £6k.

If I'm right, does anybody know of a competent independent who I could entrust the tintop to, in London or UK South East? Thanks, and a Happy New Year to All.

BTW am negotiating for a 3rd Lexus, an LS600h... Keeping the '07 GS450h 96k, a fabulous driver's Q-car (a discreet muscle car) limousine, averaging 28mpg. Again, what value for £5k.

BTW, I'd like to recommend Peter Huets Audio in Shoreham for their excellent service in fitting replacement speakers to the doors of my '03 SC430, at the price originally quoted despite the extra time it took - the speakers they hoped to fit would not - and fitting my supplied front-dashcam for a reasonable additional fee. The old speakers' rubber surround between their metal frame and the paper cone had perished.

The-Acre · December 30, 2020

1 hour ago, twolexii said:

BTW, I'd like to recommend Peter Huets Audio in Shoreham for their excellent service in fitting replacement speakers to the doors of my '03 SC430, at the price originally quoted despite the extra time it took - the speakers they hoped to fit would not - and fitting my supplied front-dashcam for a reasonable additional fee. The old speakers' rubber surround between their metal frame and the paper cone had perished.

That's always worth knowing, I'm not far from Shoreham, in fact we walked there this morning!

Neil E · December 30, 2020

1 hour ago, twolexii said:

BTW, I'd like to recommend Peter Huets Audio in Shoreham for their excellent service in fitting replacement speakers to the doors of my '03 SC430, at the price originally quoted despite the extra time it took - the speakers they hoped to fit would not - and fitting my supplied front-dashcam for a reasonable additional fee. The old speakers' rubber surround between their metal frame and the paper cone had perished.

Good to hear Huets are still maintaining a high standard of workmanship. Their operation has been scaled down for some time now as so few people are genuinely interested in audio quality. At the height of the in-car hifi boom they were quite a force with shops in Brighton and Worthing.

twolexii · December 31, 2020

22 hours ago, Neil E said:

Good to hear Huets are still maintaining a high standard of workmanship. Their operation has been scaled down for some time now as so few people are genuinely interested in audio quality. At the height of the in-car hifi boom they were quite a force with shops in Brighton and Worthing.

The good news, Neil, is that they had plenty of work when I took the SC430 for my booked appointment. Peter's an enthusiast. Will go back when safer for the '07 GS450h to add an iPod cable, music Bluetooth, DAB, remote control and a front dashcam.

BTW, the '07 LS600h L RSR I was negotiating on fell through as the dealer was too ambitious. If someone has that specific model (year less important) to sell with 80k miles or less, in a DARK colour with cream, white or grey interior (and radar cruise control), please let me know. Thank you.

Neil E · January 1, 2021

Bought lots of high end kit from Peter Huet over the years but of course I do my own installs. He is indeed an enthusiast and a genuine nice guy.

Sorry to hear the deal on the LS600 didn't work out. I quite fancy an LS but they are very rare. I would say a slightly higher mileage car that has been looked after might be better than one with less than 80k that hasn't had much done to it. I almost bought an 09 with 70k on it but the bodywork needed a few minor dings sorting out and the dealer wasn't going to move enough on price so I left it. Lexus Guildford had a nice looking 09 for £19k but that seems to have disappeared. There are one or two later low mileage models around but none of them are keenly priced.

twolexii · January 19, 2021

Yesterday I over-inflated the tyres on my SC430, from 33 to 35 psi: the ride’s slightly harder but that seems to have solved the top-up noise by my right shoulder. Too good for such a simple change to be true? No noise top-down.