GS450H subframe issue

[Brian Ellis]

Hi

 

My sons pride and joy (2008 GS450H Sport) has just failed its MOT and my son is somewhat distraught. He has spent almost £2500 on it this year getting it to what seemed to be perfect condition. New Michelins, new discs and pads all round, gearbox and engine service, plus other bits mainly at a Lexus main dealer. This was meant to be a long term car which he purchased from a Lexus specialist less than a year ago with a fresh MOT.

Lexus MK have advised him he needs a new rear shock absorber, new bonnet struts, exhaust heat shield and advised on brake pipe corrosion. This seems fairly straightforward to fix however the subframe is rotten, has rusted through in 2 main areas where it fixes to the chassis and needs replacing or major welding neither of which they can even quote on.

My question is does anyone know someone who would be able to fix the above issues as the car currently owes my son £9500 and he’s not in a position to replace it plus he loves the car (my fault as I previously owned 2 and also love them).

Thanks in advance,

Brian

[johnatg]

Oh dear. That sounds like very bad news, but it's not entirely clear what they mean - is it this, officially known as the Rear Suspension member?

I suspect a new one would be catastrophically expensive but one may just be available from a scrap dealer. There are web based search facilities where you can send a round robin to see if any used parts specialist has one. Removal from the dead car and fitting to your son's car, along with the rear suspension rebuild is still going to be pretty expensive, I'm afraid.

Sympathies.

[Normski]

Sorry to hear this. When I had my GS (08 GS300 SE-L) mine too had issues with brake pipe corrosion, heat shield and the subframe...

Brake pipes - a little tricky but an indy could sort same with the heat shield.

However, the subframe - mine was ultimately terminal as well. Any repairs would only see another year or so before needing total replacement, along with suspension mounts. And that's assuming you can find someone to essentially drop the back end of the car. So had to get rid.

Such a shame as the rest of the car looked fresh as a daisy. SO annoying many Japan origin cars suffer from so much rot. My current car (Honda Accord MK8 2008) is also heading that way 😞

So unless you can get super reasonable folk to do a large amount of work it's bad news from my experience. I was very lucky mine was still within a MOT period but if yours has a failed MOT things become particularly bothersome.

Advice would be to call a few mechanics that do welding and see if they can do something to just get the MOT ticket...and then get rid.

 

[Brian Ellis]

Thanks for the replies and yes johnatg that’s the piece that’s corroded to failure, 2 of the main mounts have snapped.

[Brian Ellis]

Can anyone suggest a parts supplier based in the uk or am I restricted to Lexus main dealers? 

[steve2006]

1 hour ago, Brian Ellis said:

Can anyone suggest a parts supplier based in the uk or am I restricted to Lexus main dealers? 

We recently had another member looking for the same on a RX300 I think, he found an “as new” replacement from the company linked below.

https://nipponautospares.com

This one was probably the bargain of the century

https://ahparts.com/buy-used/2010-lexus-rx350-crossmember-rear-sub-frame-cradle-beam-51206-0e040-512060e040/94206-1

Is there no mention of the rear subframe on the current MOT (advisories) ? Seems strange how it has gone from good to rotten in less than a year, stranger still Lexus also failed to notice this and other defects during servicing.

[steve2006]

Also consider this given the subframe issue.

“If you believe the seller has sold you a faulty car, you should contact the seller immediately. You have consumer rights for up to six years, which protects you against a faulty car. However, the law does not offer you a blanket protection. The law only protects you against a fault, which should not have developed on the car, given its age and mileage and the condition the car was in at point of sale. It is very important that you take your car back to the seller as your consumer rights rest with them.”

[Linas.P]

How about finding a breaker car - quite a few GS450h/GS300 on Copart (I do believe subframe is same for them) and just swap the subframe out?

Or just used subframe on it's own - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224933977499  I know not ideal, but better than scraping good car and entire car can be had for £800 and that will be cheaper than new just subframe alone. 

In short what I am saying - this has to be used part, repairing subframe is not an option, waste of time, new part is out of question, just not economical repair... So I would go with swapping the subframe to used one. 

Obviously above is assuming the place where subframe mounts is still solid, but I guess that could be repaired to some extent. 

[steve2006]

Nice find Linas and not too far to collect.

Strip it down, clean it all up and get some rust proofing on it, plenty of other useful parts included too!

[Linas.P]

2 minutes ago, steve2006 said:

Nice find Linas and not too far to collect.

Strip it down, clean it all up and get some rust proofing on it, plenty of other useful parts included too!

Absolutelly... wanted to add myself... before fitting, just make sure to clean it, treat it with some rust converter and protect it with paint to make sure same issue does not repeat few years later. 

[Brian Ellis]

Have looked at the video from Lexus, it looks like its the rear subframe braces that have rotted not the main subframe. Hopefully a Lexus dealer can provide these, have found a dealer in the US who can sell for $90 for the pair but no idea on shipping, import duty etc. 

Thanks for everyone's input so far, much appreciated. 

Does anyone know of a good independant Lexus specialist within a reasonable distance from Cambridgeshire. I am happy to travel for a honest and trustworthy garage.

[Linas.P]

24 minutes ago, Brian Ellis said:

Have looked at the video from Lexus, it looks like its the rear subframe braces that have rotted not the main subframe. Hopefully a Lexus dealer can provide these, have found a dealer in the US who can sell for $90 for the pair but no idea on shipping, import duty etc. 

Thanks for everyone's input so far, much appreciated. 

Does anyone know of a good independant Lexus specialist within a reasonable distance from Cambridgeshire. I am happy to travel for a honest and trustworthy garage.

Even if they could the prices may be astronomical. You will definitely need to go independent route. 

If those are just braces then they are £11, maybe ~£20 delivered to UK - https://www.amayama.com/en/catalogs/lexus/gs300/3-sedan-left-s190-2005-3454/body-and-interior-3/suspension-crossmember-under-cover-159

[johnatg]

Just a heads up. I think Brian (son) needs parts 52297 and 52298, not 52295 which is that little brace under the main frame. The prices for 52297 and 52298 don't seem to appear on the amayama list.

Incidentally, check the compatibility carefully. My post above showed a Mk 4 subframe assembly - whilst similar, it is clearly not the same as the mk3 ones shown on the amayama list and they seem different for various years.

[Brian Ellis]

Thanks johnatg, I had worked on the assumption the picture you -rogues was the correct version. Any idea where I could find a picture of the correct one for my sons car, 2008 GS450H Sport?

 

Thanks

[hockeyedwards]

You can use megazip or amayama to filter down to your sons car, even down to the VIN and you'll hopefully be able to find the parts diagrams with correct part numbers required. On megazip, search toyota parts catalogue and then you will find Lexus models. Don't buy from megazip though, a lot of bad reviews, but the parts diagrams are good!

Once you find the part numbers, you can do the old magic trick of going to eBay and typing 'toyota' followed by the part number required and searching, usually throws up results.