steve2006

The problem with rust is that it needs to be fully removed back to good metal and it is all the internal structures as well. The sills are multilayered so all the metal here needs to be cut out and reconstructed, the inner and wheel arches are the same. To do the job properly is days/weeks of cutting out, fabrication of new parts, welding, preparation and painting. I seem to remember a member doing this job a few years ago and he did a comprehensive series of posts.

An interesting fact is that to purchase a new car in Japan if you live in a major city is that you have to have prove you have access to an off road parking space either owned or rented as part of the registration process. This keeps the roads clear for their original purpose I.e. driving along them unlike the UK where they are used mainly for parking.

Not seen this before, looks like you’ll have to remove the trim piece to get to the edge that’s come unstuck. Contact adhesive like Evostick should get it back down.

Probably the same way as the other models are being stolen by accessing the can bus loom behind the front wheel arch liner and tricking the system.

On my recent visits to Dubai I was astounded by the amount of ES300s being used as upmarket taxis, we were transferred from the airport and back in them. They were all either black or white, did see the odd RX 450h and just one LS430. The other taxi choice consisted of mainly Toyota Camry models. The picture shows them lined up at the Dubai Mall. So if you are still on the waiting list you now know why 😀

Hello Norma, I am so sorry to hear of your husband’s death and offer my condolences. It is also very kind of you to post on the LOC particularly at this difficult time, I’m pretty sure as a Lexus owner himself Stephen would have appreciated that the car be sold to another member. Should you wish to sell the car on the forum please feel free to do so. If you need any help in doing so please do not hesitate to ask me personally as I would consider it an honour. Best regards, Steve.

The LS400 had the fuel tank mounted in the rear of the boot behind the rear seat upright so it was completely protected from the elements and this included the filler pipe. Unfortunately to increase both the boot and rear cabin seating space the LS430 used a conventional under slung tank giving rise to the issues now present. Good idea having your mechanic recheck the source of the leak, as you can see there are various joints and clips on the filler any of which could be the cause avoiding the cost of a full tank replacement.

It is a known problem with other Lexus models ( RX ?) and considering the design is very similar it could potentially affect the LS430 as well. If it’s just the filler pipe that is leaking it can be replaced individually as shown in the picture.

Hi Robert, Sorry to hear this, don’t tell me the police have kindly given you a crime number for your insurance claim! Insurance company “Do you have any photographic evidence in support of your claim?”

Should be a straight forward job to change over the struts, when my LS430 was converted it was just a case of pulling the air compressor fuse to disable it. Leave the level sensors in place as removal may affect the headlight self levelling function.

According to the parts diagram it is located in the boot (numbered 3) normally the right side under the floor mouldings.

Lexus Spares Direct PAUL FROST Autotek Lexus Spares Direct Cotton Hall Street Darwen Lancashire BB3 0DW United Kingdom Show contact information 07590072646 Lexussparesdirect@gmail.com

Try Paul Frost who lists on eBay as Lexussparesdirect he normally has what you need.

Perhaps on your next dealership visit you could show some ‘genuine” interest in purchasing a new RX 450h ending the conversation with “ Have you sorted out the theft problem with this model yet?”

I’ve never heard of one failing yet, assuming it is the front water bridge it should be a reasonable job once the plastics are removed, hoses off, 4 nuts. If you want the gasket part numbers let me know 😀

Apologies for my somewhat delayed response. So sorry to hear this news, my sincere condolences go out to his family. Life as we all know is finite, be grateful for every day and live it to the full. RIP John. Steve.

By coincidence I was in Dubai last week and the place was literally flooded with them. Mostly ES300s in white, apparently there is a Lexus only taxi service at a premium cost.

I know Malc, it was awful she gave me a “list” and I had to go to multiple shops for various items, 2 cash machines as the first one was broken and walk over 100 yards from the nearest car park. I’m convinced it was this that stressed me out more and I snapped. 😀

IIRC the receiving aerial for the remote locking/unlocking is the rear window de-mister element so check that for any damage or stuff on the parcel shelf. The receiver (again from memory) is located in the passenger side boot area behind the trim. The receiver aerial plugs in to this. Remove the aerial plug then put the metal blade of the key into the socket without touching the sides, press the fob keys and see if they work. If they do suspect the receiver aerial or cable if not working either the fob (unlikely) or receiver unit. You would be lucky to find a replacement receiver if faulty plus complete key reprogramming would be required so a 3rd party replacement option may be the best option. While in the boot check the spare wheel well for water ingress which could be causing damp issues with the electronics, the boot seal being the usual culprit.

Thinking back maybe 10 years ago I was involved in another incident where when following another vehicle a glass bottle was thrown from it. The bottle landed just short of my old LS400 shattering as it hit the road. I reported that incident too but on that occasion the police did visit the registered keeper, apparently a recently qualified young lady. After being spoken to she was asked to write a letter to the victim apologising for the incident and distress caused which I duly received, the police also asked if I was now satisfied with the outcome which I was. I would bet that having a police officer knocking on your parents’ door in connection with a driving offence ensured it never happened again. Ten years later and how things have apparently changed!

If it’s a foam/polystyrene material it could be off the “energy absorber” inside the bumper cover, if not I would wear gloves before touching it 😀

Whilst on a local shopping trip I was suddenly confront by an oncoming impatient driver who decided to overtake another car turning left, drove onto my side of the road causing me to have to break sharply to avoid a head on collision. OK we all make mistakes and with a hand up in apology or a flash of the hazard warning lights the matter is soon passed, the guilty party forgiven and you carry on with your life. On this occasion however the response from the other driver after I sounded my horn to warn him of my presence was to give me the 2 fingers as he passed. Glancing through my rear view mirror I noticed he turn right 100 yards further on into a residential property. Returning via the same route and sure enough the vehicle was now parked on the driveway and having gained the registration number, owner’s presumed address and his attitude decided on this occasion to report the matter to the police. After providing all the information requested I received the following response 2 hours later. “Making Derbyshire Safer together” mmmmmmmmm. “Please find above the crime reference number for a public order incident occurring whilst driving. The investigation into the matter will be closed, with no further action to follow. From the initial report it states there is no CCTV available to document the other persons actions. Even if there were to be footage of this happening, the incident would not pass the threshold of being in the public interest to seek prosecution. Kind regards Ray Hill Sgt 14353” CRIMt: Group 3 FCR Tel: 101 (Internal 7373687) E-mail: ray.hill@derbyshire.police.uk Web: http://www.derbyshire.police.uk

With instantly warm in the winter and cool in the summer I would disagree there Malc plus unlike leather they don’t wear out. Same with no sunroof, more headroom, no leaks, no drains to worry about and a cooler car in summer.

I remember many years ago I had a MG Metro turbo and this had metric sized tyres with only one manufacturer I think. You would be lucky to get 10,000 miles out of the fronts and replacements cost an arm and a leg even back then compared with conventional tyres. Looks like nothing has really changed then except the price and the size.