DaKa

P.S. Having replaced my LS430 2001 front rotors and pads, the job wasn't really needed as the pads were only say, 20% worn and the discs had minimal wear. Before I put the old pads and rotors in the metal bin at my local recycling centre, if there is anyone nearby that wants them they're very welcome to collect from CM13. send me a PM before end March by which time I will have thrown them.

Thanks Mark, I tried a bit of solder earlier today and some high temperature silicone as per the US forum link, but my attempts made no difference as I'm rubbish with a soldering iron. I've taken a punt on some cheap but perfect looking China imports on Ebay (2 separate orders from different sellers) - they will likely take a while to arrive, but I will post back with feedback when or rather if they arrive. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rear-Right-Side-Brake-Pad-Wear-Indicator-Sensor-for-LEXUS-LS430-47770-50060/132523547105?epid=15015839079&hash=item1edb04d9e1:g:vyAAAOSwcOlamPol There are 4-5 sellers selling the same item. Not sure why UK price is x 10 higher.

I may have answered my own question with a little research on the US Lexus forum: https://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/topic/57700-brake-pad-wear-sensor/ Appears I may have to replace the sensor - strange design to destroy a sensor once activated? I have seen a China import on Ebay for circa £15 but could take 4 weeks to arrive - other similar retail at circa £30!

I'm a little embarrassed that I forgot having only changed the front pads 10,000 miles ago and last weekend got a warning light on the dash about 'brake wear!'. I've changed the front pads and rotors and also the rear pads. The sensor connection on the rear was a little fiddly - there was a tiny clip that pinged off but I believe that I worked out how it went back on when the new pads were fitted. However, the warning on the dash still remains and with new pads front and rear, I've either re-connected something again wrongly, or, the error code needs to be cleared? I remember something similar when changing my AC cabin filters and there was a combination of buttons to press to clear the warning - Does anyone know if the same is true for the brake wear sensor warning? I would have thought it would reset automatically. P.S. I've just disconnected the battery for a full recharge, but still the error persists. I thought I would ask the forum before taking things apart again if anyone knows if the sensor brake wear dash warning has to be reset in the cabin?

Well done Neil, I hope that your patience and dedication is rewarded with many years of happy trouble free motoring. It's also good to post the names of quality gearbox specialist, if they were a bit nearer I'd give them the rubbish Renault gearbox on my 88 Lotus Esprit to fix the whine present in 5th.

The extra moisture in the beautiful Emerald Isle may indeed have contributed to this common sensor problem. If the current is being received at the sensor then it does seem the most likely culprit. My recent scare did make me look at coil-overs (I recall a whealer dealers episode where they did the same to a Merc with excellent results) but while they can be made to work at a reasonable cost, it pays to keep things stock.

Just to add that I believe the suspension problem was perhaps in part caused by starting the car while it was jacked up at the front in order to bleed the brakes. I jacked it up using the front suspension arms that connect to the front hubs rather than the jacking points near the front doors. I've done this before but typically one side at a time and would not have started the engine while up in the air, I also lifted the car more than required with the tyres clear of the ground about 5 inches - I'm guessing that it may have confused the self-levelling sensors? Indeed, there was no need to run the engine as the foot brake pedal alone without the servo would have been more than sufficient for bleeding purposes. I'm now a little worried about changing the pads/rotors on the back, but will do it one side at a time and quickly.

Fitted Mintex purchased from EBay £24 yesterday together with new genuine Toyota Lexus front rotors £65. An easy job and excellent results.

Here is the post that I found very useful: http://www.evansweb.info/2009/11/23/ls400-ride-height-sensor-repair/?utm_source=LexusOwnersClubUK&utm_medium=ForumLinks

The Lexus Gods have looked favourably upon me. After a couple of hours and reading the various posts regarding the horrors of air suspension, I started the car up again and ran it for a short while. My suspension is now back to normal front and back, but obviously there is something not quite right. It strikes me reading the posts that nothing on my car has broken, but that perhaps the accumulator is not keeping or gathering the air pressure needed as quickly as it should, or perhaps a slight leak? If some of the learned members familiar with the suspension system could confirm if there are any cheap seals or bushes that I can replace it would help. I refer particularly to the post containing pictures or how to access things once the o/s/f inner wheel arch panel has been removed and the part number specified - I'll add that link in a moment.

I would appreciate hearing any update on this thread as it looks like I have a similar problem to resolve.

I've decided to keep my 2001 LS430 for another year, now my 12th year of ownership. However, I may regret this decision as while treating it to some new rotors and pads on the front today seems to have caused a suspension problem that I've seen a few threads about. In short, I jacked the whole front of the car up both sides at once , it took a while to complete the replacement of the pads/rotors as I took the 2 wheels once removed to have new tyres fitted and also stopped for lunch, so it was probably off the ground for 3-4 hours. Fitted everything required and also bled the front brakes a little with the help of my wife. A bad idea perhaps, as when I asked her to push the brake pedal down, she did it like an emergency stop and my bleed line connections popped off and fluid shot everywhere inside the front offside wheel arch. I mention this because having bled both sides a little (at no point was the brake fluid reservoir below minimum) when the car was dropped back down, the front suspension dropped completely - much too low. It had been on the 'high' setting with 'sport' selected, with no previous problems noticed. I regularly change the car for normal to high and switch the sport setting on/off. I'm asking here if jacking to car up and leaving it for too long (and perhaps the very cold weather) has highlighted an issue with my air suspension, or, has bleeding the front brakes badly been a factor? I presume that the air suspension system has nothing to do with the braking system and that it is merely a coincidence? Although I seem to have introduced some unwanted air into the brake system that will mean bleeding them all again. When the car was first lowered it seemed to be just the front suspension affected, but having jacked the car up and lowered it again, it now seems that both the back and front are much too low. I'm going to read the related posts now, but if someone could just confirm that the brake replacement work today has not directly caused the suspension issue e.g. it was only the action of jacking the car up/down that affected some of the suspension seals or whatever else may have gone wrong on what is now an old car? Thxs

P.S. My mileage is circa 130,000 and I've owned the car since 83,000 for the last circa 11 years.

Yes this look the same description - here's the link: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Exhaust-Rear-Silencer-Muffler-LEXUS-LS-430-4-3-V8-32V-00-06r-PAIR-L-R-Duplex/112343548826 My view was that at that price I can afford a mistake!

I can hear a blow at low revs from my exhaust on my 2001 LS430. It's almost certainly going to be an MOT issue when it is due the start of April 2018. There is an exhaust specialist near me 'Pipecraft' based in Basildon who I have used before on my classic cars, but they are always too busy! Therefore, I've taken a £157 punt on a system from EBay sourced from Poland for both sides and I wondered if anyone on the forum has done likewise? My plan is to get the specialist to fit them.

Just to add, There is a Wheeler Dealers episode you can likely find on YouTube of an LS400 where the display was refreshed using a kit. Worth a viewing regardless.

They do get rusty and should you want to get the front handling back like new again, there are some of my unwanted front new parts available on eBay currently at just £1. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lexus-SC430-Front-Upper-Lower-Control-Arms-and-Track-Rod-Ends-/253203436723?hash=item3af419d4b3:g:d-AAAOSw6-BZ00cw Would love them to go to an enthusiast here even if they go for nothing.

Sadly Steve just too late as I sold the car last week - already regretting it!

I've much admired the 'Twist' chrome centres ahead of the 'Saucers' fitted on earlier models but even the aftermarket Twist Centres for the standard SC430 wheels would cost circa £100 and need to be imported from USA. Do you think such an investment would be returned if selling the 4 spares that I no longer need, or, would an enthusiast simply prefer the original centres?

I hope that you get the original air suspension working soon. I would imagine that other than donor parts (that can't be trusted) and of course the knowhow/equipment to fix it yourself, this could be expensive. I'm just wondering if an after-market adjustable rear suspension kit would be both better and cheaper? I recall an episode of Wheeler Dealers where they did the same for a Mercedes I believe?

Embarrassingly, I sold my SC with the warning light on, but the new owner soon informed me that simply putting 33 PSI into all wheels the TPMS system reset - so clearly there was some charge left in the TPMS valves as my 'little used' car had simply leaked a little air from one of the wheels - thinking about it, the same probably fixed it after the first occurrence last time! In my defence I didn't have the time to visit the local pumps to attend to this before his viewing. Lesson learned - pump them up first and then worry!

To save checking the GS link - here are the reported dimensions: Quote A CR2450 is 24(.5)mm diameter, and 5.0mm height, its the same for all these button cell type batteries. Unquote.

A very good point indeed. I've looked for replacement batteries as per the GS post referred to above and it's not entirely clear what tagged soldered batteries are correct without taking one of your existing apart and then, I suppose reasonably, presume they are all the same. If some kind soul out there has done this and can provide a link to a currently active Ebay or Amazon sale of the right batteries that would be great.

Yes, your summary is right. I checked the pressures, all ok and presumed that I had to buy some new TPMS, but having just fitted new tyres it pained me to change them, so basically I ignored the warning light over last winter. In the spring the light went out, so somehow, the battery got another bit of life! Went to start it last weekend and the light was back - so will follow John's advice and order some tagged batteries off Ebay and if I don't sell it (someone viewing this weekend) it will be something to fix.

Thanks John for the reference to this from the SC forum. I wonder if anyone out there can confirm the batteries are the same CR2450 or something different?