wheels on LS400

[dragonf1y]

I recently purchased a 1997 LS400 which came with Lexus 17 inch rims and 245/50x17 tyres. The handbook only refers to 16 inch rims with 225/60x16 tyres so it would appear that these rims and tyres are from another model of Lexus. Has anybody any idea which model they would be from?

They do affect the steering with the steering wheel not centering quickly like it should and when driving slowly with a reasonable amount of lock the steering makes a strange. small lurch to the side. My Lexus specialist doesn't see any problems with the suspension or steering as such but suggested it might be the size of the rims and tyres.   

[ambermarine]

the 97-2000 ls400 had 16 inch wheels for a reason the suspension and drive train was designed for them any other size makes a mockery of the original calculations for using that size of wheel.

My advice is get those 17 inch wheels off which I beleave are off a ls430 that as a totally different suspension to the LS400.

[Malc1]

But i do remember the now very rare Ls400   DHP   I can't remember those wheel sizes tbh but they are different to norm

and have copied this from an earlier post here too

" I have a set of 5 wheels and tyres for the LS400. They are the 17" original Lexus wheels from the dynamic handling pack option, with 245/70x17. Now have the LS430 with the optional 18" alloys so the old set is available. I noticed no deterioration in ride over bumps due to lower profile but cornering and wet road grip was many times better than the standard tyres. Whole set £500. " 

the thread is from               Aloys Wheels and Tyres  2002

this might help

 

Malc

[Spock66]

The rolling circumference is almost identical, so I would not expect there to be a huge difference in handling other than the smaller wheels giving a softer ride.

[dragonf1y]

Thanks for the quick response guys, much appreciated. I obviously would prefer to keep the car original and these wheels have created an issue but trying to source 16 inch Lexus rims is nigh on impossible as far as I can tell. There are other issues I need to deal with anyway eg. boot leak and slow retracting seatbelts, so there is no urgency on these wheels but in due course I will have to deal with them.

Thanks again for your help.