Ls430 Suspension Woes

tonyflynn1 · August 1, 2013

Hello all, despite joining in 2003 it has taken until now for me to take the Lexus plunge and it's not quite working out as I had hoped.

I'm the new owner of a 2004 LS430, 130,000 miles, bought at auction recently.

I seem to have the dreaded suspension woes, the nose sits very high in the air despite the suspension switch being set to normal and to call the suspension bouncy would be an understatement, in short, the car is pretty much undriveable.

A mobile Toyota specialist had a look last week, his code reader indicated that the air pump was constantly running and he found a fault code with relative to a rear sensor, this he changed but the sadly the problem remains and he is out of ideas.

It has a few other faults, front parking radar shows a fault, front brake pad warning is flashing - pads are fine and the AC doesn't work, I'm in two minds whether to fix the car or get rid but right now it's turning into a millstone around my neck.

I would be most grateful if anyone suggest a reliable and trustworthy specialist in the Camberley / Guildford area or indeed a sensible course of action.

Many thanks

Malc · August 1, 2013

Suggest it goes straight back into the auction and you buy yourself a good LS400 as a replacement.

Unless you have potentially very deep pockets to sort out all the issues.

Malc

ManicMark · August 1, 2013

It looks like you have some hefty bills coming your way (hopefully not), was it an auction sales or online auction.did you pay by credit card & how was the car described.You may have some form of redress there.

If you bought it at an auction site & only paid £2k or so for the car you have room to fix it & still have the car at the right price.

You may be best off sending it back through auction & looking privately for the right car.

Sorry I can't be of more help but I am sure someone will come along soon with some more useful tec advice.

Best of luck Mark.

If it was mine I would re auction it & get a perfect Mark 4 ls400 . I was in a similar boat in January went from a ls400 to a facelift 430 (which I wasn't convinced about) back to a mint ls 400.

tonyflynn1 · August 1, 2013

Many thanks for the prompt replies, it was bought as seen with eyes wide open so redress isn't something I'm focussed on here, it did come at a very good price so the issues aren't entirely a surprise - none of this 'Where There's Blame There's A Claim' nonsense.

The questions really that I need help with are -

What kind of money am I looking at to get it sorted?

Does anyone know of a localish, trustworthy Lexus specialist that I could pay sensible money for an appraisal.

I'd like to fix it up and run it but not at enormous cost and particularly not if it's a potential money pit.

steve2006 · August 1, 2013

It sounds like the reason it ended up at auction was because of all the problems and if a trader wasn't willing to repair it that generally means it aint worth it.

Sorry I'm not from the Hampshire area so unable to offer a suggestion for a good independant garage but there are members that way who may offer ideas.

Bluesman are you receiving over? :)

Ignoring all the other problems which can be sorted as and when the suspension is obviously the priority but the air suspension on the LS430 is a) complicated and b) expensive to repair.

If you can get hold of the OEM service manual ( copies are usually on eBay for a few pounds) this will provide full step by step diagnostic instructions enabling any competent technician to diagnose the actual cause.

Another LOC member recently nearly gave up on his LS430 suspension problem and was going to sell the car as a non runner but then his mechanic found a faulty airbag so repair is possible but it does take time and effort.

Was the suspension height sensor fitted by the mobile tech a brand new unit?

tonyflynn1 · August 12, 2013

Thanks for the replies gents, I've had a mobile independant check the car out.

On his Lexus diagnostic tool he was able to stiffen and soften the rear suspension successfully however the fronts wouldn't change when we tried them. We alson took the fornt actuators off to check and there were signs of oil on top of the offside shock so in the abscence of any other ideas, it looks like it needs two front shocks.

These things are £600 a corner so I think it's time to quit while I'm behind.

Malc · August 12, 2013

That's probably the main reason why you were able to buy it for a song at the auction !

Pop it back there and let someone else enjoy the challenge.

Malc

mikeyv · August 12, 2013

Thanks for the replies gents, I've had a mobile independant check the car out.

On his Lexus diagnostic tool he was able to stiffen and soften the rear suspension successfully however the fronts wouldn't change when we tried them. We alson took the fornt actuators off to check and there were signs of oil on top of the offside shock so in the abscence of any other ideas, it looks like it needs two front shocks.

These things are £600 a corner so I think it's time to quit while I'm behind.

I think quite a few of us on here fancy a 430, but are put off by the suspension.

For what it's worth, I'd also bang it back through the auction, having cleaned and polished it to within an inch of it's life, to try and minimize any losses.

mikeyv · August 12, 2013

Just out of interest, has anybody ever converted a LS 430 to ordinary suspension?

I believe there was a version without air suspension, so you'd think that it wouldn't be beyond a competent mechanic to disconnect the system and bolt on standard shocks.

Would surely be cheaper than £600 a corner, and improve reliability, and in turn make it easier to sell on when the time comes.

tonyflynn1 · August 12, 2013

The front shock and spring assembly is Lexus part number 48010-50140, I know a chap who has a pair from another LS430 but the part number is 48010-50110.

The question therefore is, what's the difference between 50140 and 50110, anyone have any idea and are they interchangeable?

mikeyv · August 12, 2013

I put 48010-50110 in google, which LED me to the following page.

http://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls430/305359-converting-air-suspension-struts-to-conventional.html

If I read it right, your top part number seems to be for standard non air shocks, the 50140 being the air items.

Please check for yourself though, interesting reading if nothing else.

Edit:- reading again, I,m wrong I think, as the first part of the number was different, so good luck!!

tonyflynn1 · August 17, 2013

A little amateur research indicates that 48010-50130 were US market and 48010-50140 were for European market - 48010-50130 are listed as being compatible replacements in the US for 48010-50110 therefore I'm guessing 48010-50110 will fit in place of 48010-50140 possibly with the only side effect being a different ride. (anyone still awake?)

In any case, I'll know by end of play on Monday 19th August, I've paying my mechanic to fit them as an experiment - will keep you posted on the outcome.

tonyflynn1 · August 19, 2013

I can most happily confirm that 48010-50110 will fit in place of 48010-50140 and the car rides perfectly.

130,000 miles, bought at auction for £1900 and fixed including labour for £320.

I just need to get the AC sorted now.

Malc · August 20, 2013

Tell me guys, have we now found a really inexpensive solution to the LS430 air suspension problems ??

Thanks

Malc

tonyflynn1 · August 20, 2013

I should point out Malc that those were low mileage secondhand shocks at that price.

steve2006 · August 20, 2013

A good result, you still have a car with a book price much greater than the total purchase cost plus the repairs.

Even if you spend a few hundred on the AC repairs you should still be in the black.

I have a similar problem with a Celsior import in that the engine ECU is a different number to the Japanese version (89661-50160 and 89661-500170) so again it's a gamble fitting the UK one.

tonyflynn1 · August 24, 2013

I'm guessing that the only major difference between UK and Japanese ECU is likely to be the mapping, rather like my shock absorber experiment, what's the worst that could happen?

I have to say that initially I didn't like this car but having driven it for a week I actually look forward to getting in the thing now, it's a world away from my old GS300 from donkeys years ago.

AC needs to be sorted and the ride height adjusted but beyond that it's very very good indeed.

tonyflynn1 · March 22, 2014

A quick update.

7 months on and the car is still riding just fine, nose is a little high so I must get around to checking the front height sensor.

Air conditioning has a leak somewhere above one of the rear wheels, pipe repair kit is next on the agenda.

steve2006 · March 22, 2014

Good result then.

I've heard of the problem with the rear AC before, apparently it feeds the fridge in the armrest and the pipes corrode where they enter/exit the car underneath.

Several members have simply had the pipes capped off leaving the rear AC defunct.

http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic/82362-rear-air-conditioning/

tonyflynn1 · March 22, 2014

Thanks Steve, I'm up for having a go at fixing the rear air con in fairness, the car owes me so little, it would be a shame not to.

It's only a case of piecing out the damaged area and regassing I would have thought, using something like this - http://www.ebay.com/itm/UNIVERSAL-A-C-HOSE-KIT-FLARE-TYPE-W-DRIER-FOR-HOT-RODS-MUSCLE-CARS-RAT-RODS-/321328178716

jii · May 18, 2014

Got a similar issue to the OP and was hoping for some help with the specific parts required. I am not mechanically minded, so please go easy on me!

Rear passenger side air suspension shock has collapsed (the air part has split) Lexus want £700 for the replacement and as the other one looks quite worn too I am not sure (I have also had problems with the ride height sensor which have been cured by cleaning them, so reluctant to spend loads on the car).

I have read the posts above, and had a look at various web sites but am still confused as to what parts I need to consider if looking to replace the rear shocks with standard, non-air, ones. Can anyone help please with a complete list of parts needed?

Thanks

steve2006 · May 18, 2014

Early LS400s have been successfully converted so I don't see why 430 shouldn't be also.

Not sure if LS430 were available with conventional non air suspension but that is the starting point then find some suitable after market struts and fit those.

This may give you some ideas.

http://www.lextreme.com/ascon.html

Spacewagon52 · June 3, 2015

Having never driven a 430, how would you tell if there was a problem with the suspension if you were test driving one? Bouncy ride but any other clues please?

The prices from Lexus to fix the air suspension quoted above are eye watering!

The-Acre · June 4, 2015

Having never driven a 430, how would you tell if there was a problem with the suspension if you were test driving one? Bouncy ride but any other clues please?

The prices from Lexus to fix the air suspension quoted above are eye watering!

The car would drop overnight as the system leaks air, the pump would be running more often to keep up with the leak. If it's a height sensor the car could sit too high or too low on one corner. And that's just the start, the ride could be hard, or very bouncy or the whole thing could just collapse. Or, it could go on for years with no issues as many do!

Spacewagon52 · June 4, 2015

Is there a particular age or mileage when the suspension problems are more likely to begin? Or does it depend on which conditions it has been driven eg salt / ice / rough roads?