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.

[Malc1]

What size is your spare ? 
Malc 

[dragonf1y]

It's the same size as the rims and tyres on the car Malc.

[dragonf1y]

[rich1068]

They do look like DHP wheels to me.

If you've bought a '97 it could be either a MK3 or MK4. DHP was only offered on the MK4. Search LS400 DHP on Google. First hit is a thread from here that I don't seem to be able to copy/paste.

Your car is either 

a) a MK3 with the wrong wheels

b) a MK4 with DHP

c) a MK4 without DHP but someone has added the wheels

Regardless, there's something more amiss with the symptoms you're describing. Even a MK3 on 17s shouldn't be behaving like that imo.

 

[Malc1]

Neal hi again  .......... is your car a late Mk3 or an early Mk4   ?    regn no. or a front piccy might help ?

 

Malc

[messi]

My ls400 is a dhp with 245 50 17 wheels and tyres, mines a 99 V reg, I have pirelli asimmetrico 245 50 17 tyres on mine

[dragonf1y]

Thanks Rich. The car was registered in March 97. I’m assuming it’s a mark 3 but what are the differences between the 3 and the 4? 
My indy specialist did suggest getting the alignment done which I haven’t managed yet so that might be an issue. 
See attached photos as suggested.

[Malc1]

it's a late Mk3  ok

Malc

[dragonf1y]

So it would appear to be a Mk 3 with the wrong wheels?

[rich1068]

As Malc says, definitely a MK3. Just like my old one 

And definitely DHP wheels. So they're an inch bigger but that shouldn't cause too many issues. I'd certainly get the alignment checked by an experienced garage.

[Malc1]

or a Mk3 with DHP style wheels

Malc

[dragonf1y]

Thanks guys, much obliged to you.

[messi]

I dont think the wheels are the problem, your car may need alignment, also check the inner and outer tie rods

[Malc1]

if it's an original Mk3 DHP with the correct wheels then it should be ok ..  if it's an ordinary Mk3 with add-on DHP wheels then it might be a little challenged coz the DHP manufactured cars had nuances that made them perform a little differently

Malc

[rich1068]

8 minutes ago, dragonf1y said:

but what are the differences between the 3 and the 4? 

http://ls400data.com/index.html

http://www.lexls.com/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexus_LS

[rich1068]

2 minutes ago, Malc1 said:

if it's an original Mk3 DHP with the correct wheels then it should be ok ..  if it's an ordinary Mk3 with add-on DHP wheels then it might be a little challenged coz the DHP manufactured cars had nuances that made them perform a little differently

Malc

But wasn't DHP only offered on the MK4?

OP, in case you're wondering, on here we refer to the LS400 as MK1 to MK4. Strictly speaking it's XF10 and XF20. Both had a facelift hence XF10 MK1, MK2 and XF20 MK3, MK4.

[Malc1]

I’m not at all certain but I’m under the impression the DHP was offered as a complete Japanese manufactured Mk3 car 

Malc 

[dragonf1y]

I’m going to have to change the tyres anyway as they are dated 0608 which, if I’m reading it correctly, makes them 16 years old even though the tread is fine. I read on one of the threads Richard referred me to that 225/55/17 tyres do the job and afford a greater choice than just Pirelli P Zeros.

[Malc1]

Beyond my knowledge I’m sad to say 

Malc 

[dragonf1y]

No problem Malcolm. I've learnt quite a bit today from folks a lot more knowledgeable than myself on issues surrounding LS400s. It keeps this old aging brain active and challenged. Thanks for everyone's help.