Redefined

On 8/2/2023 at 12:37 PM, Razor61 said:

So it’s the rubber insulator/concertina protector for the standard shock absorbers in the screen shot below then?
This doesn’t apply to the air suspension shocks/struts for the LS430, the rubber protection is all part of the shock/strut. Or have I got it wrong?

Oh... and can't we just have a simple LS430 appreciation discussion without bringing in the suspension. Just pretend it's not there on at least one thread (this one). 🫣

@BigBoomer hit it (the nail off course and not the car, hopefully) on the head. That, "to you (ls400) be yours the best and me (LS430) be mine the best". Having said that, the LS430 is obviously the best. I have evidence...

Now before anyone gets (more) upset. I'll just say two things. Firstly, I doubt you could parralel park an LS400 like that. Secondly, ain't them LS400 just so ugly 😆

I mean, my mate Sarwar at the the Auto Factors/Uddersfield had his LS400 for almost 10 years. I'd always drive/cycle past wondering the two things. Firstly, how the frig does some so small drive such a 'great/big' car. Secondly how does he afford the petrol on his wages when I'm struggling with my 2.0, (then 2.4 and maybe even the 3.0). Thirdly (I know... trying to be respectable) and most importantly... How'd one drive such an ugly looking car 😆

Obviously I thought similar about the LS430, but I find with all cars. Once bought/owned, the more you squint at em, the more they grow on you (cycle commuter at heart)... Anyway, lovely cars and I also got the LS430 after CCN making that vid.

I was just so glad he never chose the 400 as I could'nae lived wi' maa'self looking at that ugly thing (sorry again 😆) and it'd never parralel park like the 430 (did I say that already!!).

Frigging window delam!!!

Thanks Malc. I just checked the quote from LT. £250 labour; £57 timing belt; £170 water pump; £7 sundries + vat on everything... £525 total(ish) without VAT. Does seem reasonable when you say it like that. Not trying to skimp (I know no one said/thought that) cos I don't agree with specialist pricing but cos Idhave to save up again... Front bushings & labour are costing that £550 or so next week, but it'll be worth just having the car (hopefully) commented on by them (Lex Tec).

To be fair, the bushings would've probably been ok on the advisory but I like to get things sorted asap. At least brakes can be done myself so hopefully save some decent cash there! 😄

Oh, and some checking around for pads and it seems they at GSF have some Brembos on at £56 a set. Might not need to import from PartsOUQ afterall!!

Decisions, decisions. Does one get some Akibono pads with a $32 timing belt imported with $44 postage. Then have it done by a local (hopefully) competent mechanic who might source a water pump himself. Or go to the local stealerships and pay almost £700 or more!!

Feel free to comment as it's a steessful decision. Though in essence it's a Toyota and one of the easiest in the world to work on... So shouldn't need to pay them extortionate, 'we are specialist mechanics so you must leave the car overnight with your wallet' prices...

Busy day today. I'll try to only share pics of whats most important, so as not to bore anyone!!

First up, the engine oil. Thankfully after checking up the numbers in the manual it was only 4.6L (with filter change, but only 4.3L without). Thankfully (well, I usually say Alhamdulillah [sorry]) I had a spare filter as well as them 5L lying about - like you do.

Car jacked up (carefully) with some pics taken to try and do an 'How To', but I'll not bore anyone or risk their safety 😊. Numbers counted of whats come out. Only 3.5L and maybe 300ml spillage. Tiny heartache before checking the manual which states their happy to have 1L loss every 600 miles of driving. Phew, perimyocarditis (or takotsubo syndrome) averted. New oil and filter sorted.

Spun the wheels a few times and smiled at the condition of the bearings. But noted the amount of rusting to the disc outer. Could it be the cause of the slight brake shake!! Hmmm....

Lots of scraping, wire brushing and disc-brake cleaner(ing) later, I frowned at the brake fluid. Oh, go on then... One side that was spinning nicely bled. £1 or a few quid earned for the little man (8 year old, for pressing the brakes on command). Other side slightly seized... Could it be the cause of the shakes!!

Best check out the calipers/pads. Big nut braker pulled out, but little amount of force needed (thanks previous excellent mechanic who used the anti seize in these MASSIVE bolts). Caliper pulled off, little man summoned again for some brakes pressing. Measurements of pads and discs taken...

Disc 0.6mm past the wear limit (as per manual) and pads only 2mm each side left. Siezure taken care of (of the twin pistons) and bleeding complete. Thanks young man, you just earned yourself a fiver (he capped it at that)!!!

Went masjid for prayers... Comes back, checks brakes before taking off the tripod stands. Oh dear... did I just get an 8 year old to help with brake bleeding, pedal pressing... Pedal feels a little mushy. Summons 12 year old (daughter), "please lovely". She takes the bate and we bleed both sides again.

Still slightly squishy but maybe it's in my head!! Probably got a snippet of air in when removing the dirty fluid from the reservoir. Everything back together, goes for eve/night prayers and takes the car. For a test drive off course...

Lightly driving turns to rampage on the mad-mile. Lots of acceleration and hardcore braking. More so on the downhill and then fof to my mates to tell him the good news (didn't tell him about my OCD of thinking I'd squished the brakes as that was all gone). No more brake-shake so just the front, rear  bushings to do at Lex-Tec next week.

Most importantly, parks it outside the house with a lovely reverse, (somewhere) in between those that feel they needs 3 (I think 4 now!!!) cars in the household!! In the words of (Toyota specialist) Car Care Nut, "life is good".

March the 20th and over 7000 miles since I did the engine oil and filter. Bloomin thing, thankfully straightforward to do and I have my lovely Advanced Halfords heavy duty trolley jack. Been dragging the feet a little but this beautiful man who loves our cars and hopefully us - has reminded me.

Anyway, I'm off to the shed to grab 10L of oil (only need about 6, but will check the book before doing) and a filter. 3 months and 7000 miles done 🤪... Car Care Nut says if I wanna make it last 300k miles then it should be 5k miles intervals, unless doing 400 miles per day!!

I'm not gonna argue with him and will see about doing the coolant very soon too. Some more good news - aside from paying through the teeth to have my front rear asm bushes done at LexTec (you get what you pay for) - I think I may have found a quality mechanic locally. Just need someone with some attention to detail and self respect in their work. So hopefully won't cost me the (almost) dealer labour prices and dealer parts...

😊 Until next time... Keep smiling and drive safe!!

Right then. Firstly, some good reviews for Paul from Lexus Parts in Rossendale or thereabouts. Went and got the two windows off him. Front that was smashed and got the rear that's also discoloured with the condensation issue. Within a day or 2 the rear window was having the steam coming through (but not as bad as the ones I'd replaced).

Text Paul who called me straight back. Said he'd get me a second window and I waited for the call back. 2 days later and enquiring as to if he'd found me a better rear window: in about 10 minutws the refund for the rear window was back in my account. Happy days (Alhamdulillah is what I said) and thanks very much Paul - I'll be back.

Now, the task at hand...

This is indeed very helpful, thanks @michael Vercell I'm about 40 miles away and always looking for a competent mechanic with good quality control. I'll be in touch with that there garage sooner or later...

Previously I've done two sets of headlights on my cars. One I used a kit from Halfords (probably Maguires or similar) and it seemed an ok job and the clearcoat was easy to get on. Seemed to simple and straightforward, but worked well and I had clear lenses.

The other set (actually maybe the third set as I probably made the first set last across 2 cars 😆) I had done professionally by someone I met at a Subaru Garage in Bradford. Came to my street the week after and spent a good 2 hours cleaning/polishing and coating. Again, results were amazing and I've been looking for a similar local business (sadly, lost his number/details) to do the Ls430 as the headlights look a bit dull.

Other than not being able to find a local specialist, I've also been reading that the clearcoat applied apparently only lasts for about a year. This, I've also read on the Maguires kit at Halfords. Unfortunately I didn't own the previous cars for longer than 3 years and I'm perplexed at what method do I take!

Specialist service outside my door in 2019 was about £80. So I imagine it'll now be closer to around £150 (which might answer my Q of just doing it myself). Thoughts/comments welcomed please...

Just reread the Amayama pricing Razor. Wow I'll just 😆 cos otherwise I'd 😢

Here's the link if anyone has the press to squeeze them in and a garage to take everything apart and take their time https://www.amayama.com/en/catalogs/lexus/ls430/3-sedan-left-xf30-2003-r-3476/transmission-and-chassis-2/front-axle-arm-steering-knuckle-151

@Razor61 that fills me with smiles. Maybe they (Lex-Tec order direct from Amayama or https://partsouq.com/

Hopefully one more job done in my mission to return the lovelt thing to it's original glory. @Malc1 I think I saw Car Care Nut on his YT channel explaining why these parts go sooner than the lighter equivalents of our cars. He talked about the barge effect on the suspension components. Even though it's just an advisory, I'm hoping it'll explain the light brake shake that happens when breaking downhill at speed.

Next jobs can then be brakework (if the suspension arms don't sort it) which I can do myself and save money. Could try and attempt them myself but probably above my faff threshold rating. Come to think of it, I checked the invoice and it states 'front suspension arm rear bushes £161 +vat (each). So I obviously misunderstood when told by the admin lady that it would be the full wishbones/lower arms.

Oh well, best get enough shifts in to pay the bills!! Hopefully (maybe) Dave might comment on the overall condition of the rest of the car).

£250 labour both sides (+vat) in case anyone wodering 🫣

Thanks Malc and Supafly. Wouldn't let me edit for some reason. Maybe cos I donthave enough post-count. Anyway, thankfully after calling Lexus Leeds but no reply I've kinda managed to patch things up with Lex-Tec and am booked in for next month for some much needed front suspension arms rear bushings.

Price from Lexus for the genuine parts (which is all that Lex Tec use and it makes sense) is, wait for it.... £387.60 for both sides. I know there is a way of squeezing out the old and popping in the new but seems Dave prefers to just change the full triangle-arm thingy.

Hopefully they'll be happy with my custom and allow me to come back. Oh how times have changed for a bit of quality work these days 😆

Nope. My fault. The threaddid start discussing a hybrid. I just like to shout about my 35 - 38mpg whenever I get a chance. Such lovely cars these Lexi' (is that the plural).

Yes, sorry @BonzoSPB I'm from the polluting big barge V8 team (sorry Greta). So the car in question is the LS430. Spark plugs changed; lots of (well, almost half a bottle) Miller fuel additive added over the past 10,000 miles; tyres are winters so maybe I could up the pressure a touch; oil & filter renewed 5000 miles ago.

38 is probably the best I've gotten to but that figure the end average over 200 miles or so. Driving without annoying the lorries (so, just a bit faster). Aircon in the on position so I could keep the windows/roof closed to optimise laminar flow.

Don't know much about degradation, but my commutes are about 100 miles each way on average - at least twice per week. Sometimes a bit more than that.

On the ls430 my experimentation has found that the mpg on the 99ron fuel is alot better than the 95ron (E10). But also find different petrol stations are slightly different in quality (I believe and read somewhere that some places are not as honest with only filling their higher ron tanks with the more expensive stuff.

Anyway, so the best I've found is Shell vPower. Gives me 35mpg on a run (200 miles one way) and on a couple of occassions I've managed to get upto 38mpg (driving very smoothly due to being short on cash/fuel and needing to extend the range!

Have tried the same thing with the E10/95ron but no way could I even get to the 33mpg mark (long run of 100+ miles, driving at close to 56mph and smooth as poss). Sorry for going off topic!

@Malc1 any ideas how I can delete this thread pls. Hopefully might be sorted now and it'd be less clutter. Plus, don't want people to take out of context my comment about the Indy garage - wasn't trying to put em down (which it may come across as).

Hi all.

Sorry if this has been done before or maybe I've asked previously. Thought I'd found a good place with Lex-Tec, but with all due respects to them, we may have gotten off on a bad footing. Will leave it at that!

So, I'm sick of all these other (not talking about LexTec here btw as the rep apeaks for itself and hence why I'd looked forward to a long and happy relationship) grade 2 mechanics but equally not wanting to throw money at Main Dealers for straightforward work. Before I book in with Lexus Leeds (they appear to have a very good review rating out of 600 reviews only a handful negative) for some 'front suspension arm pin or bush worn but no excessive play' advisory work, is there anywhere local enough to me that folks can recommend.

My last garage I'd use for work that needed doing proper, just couldn't ever own up after his mechanics making silly mistakes (and then me having to rectify the problem myself taking double the time!). Long shot I know... But any recomendations appreciated - hopefully with a list of mainstream reviews (in Google or the likes) that'll back up the recommendation  😊

Thanks in advance and my beautiful car salutes you!

Did both windows but the rear has started delam again. Thankfully Paul gave me a call back saying he'd source me another and I could just chuck this away. Also, yesterday my 130 mile (driving at eggs under the accelerator pace) commute had me perplexed at why my white tshirt was grimy by the time I got to work.

So, aside from the fact that it didn't affect work as I had to change into uniform anyway, I realised the seatbelt are obviously way beyond grotty. Today I've sacrificed the mtb-cycling (for the mo) and given both fronts a deep clean. Hot water, scrub, wipe, repeat... Until finally thwy looked somewhat cream-coloured again.

c

Currently got em hanging dry over the dash!! Hopefully the hot water won't cause any stretching.

Some idiot tried to smash my front window with a brick. 5 attempts and no joy, dog opposite comes out barking so he/she ran off. Looks like the frustration had em come back and key the car on opposite side. Window had fogging anyway and I refit both fogged windows. Before and after below 😊

Near side...

New off side.

Another job (list at the top somewhere from when I bought it) ticked off. Thankfully the delam on this new window from Paul doesn't come quite as high. So looks mint, All Praise God.

Won't bother doing a write up as it was a bit of a toughie and I almost gave in. Occured to me that Toyota might be similar so watched a vid by OneStopAuto on the Camry window swap. Main difference being with this was that I needed to undo both slider bars on either side of window.

Lot's of wiggling and removing of tiny screws. Vapour barrier still didn't need removing fully and it's now sealed on better than before. Hopefully one day a new owner will appreciate the efforts (and I'm gonna supplicate for the fogging not coming up any further). Threw somw grease on windows edge at bottom which might help vapour/fogging issues!! 🫣

@Malc1 I checked under glass damage (for my own reference as I always try best to limit insurance claims asuch as poss) on my documents. Apparently it's my windscreen that's covered for £100 (and they pay the rest). So even if I did contact insurance I'd probably take a big hit on premiums for future - current pricing at about £450 so hopefully I can keep it that way.

Car's looking alot nicer now that the fogging wffect is gone aswell. Hopefully tackle the rear today and will report back. Got some tips from the mechanic when I went to pick it up but for some reason it feels he might have been pulling my leg (about needing to remove the rear panel first!).

Bendy ratchet or a 'bendy' would make the job that much easier. Especially with a socket set that has a 10mm socket and maybe an extension. Normal 10mm spanner and you'd probably struggle!

Look at your smashed window once more. Appreciate that you'll never have to look at the ugly fogging (bottom of pic) ever again. Then wonder how you'll stop the shrapnel from shredding all the seals when you wind it down to (suggested online, but in reality I had to have it half and 3 quarts down at different times) start the process. I used some laminating tape for my bike frames, but equally packaging tape works well. More taping is good as it'll keep you safe from loose glass too!!

I'd read/watched that there's 7 screws/bolts. But in actual fact I found only 6. Oh, a philips head would be handy and save time in socket faff. 3 screws under the seal at bottom of door card/board. One inside the hole for aircon/heating and 2 near the electric window up/down thingy.

Oh, and before the unscrewing you'd need to use a plastic pry-thingy to unclip the cover behind the door release latch (I'll try to attach pic below with it off) as well as the window buttons console. This console unprys at the rear and then slides out rearwards...

Sorry, no pic of console but it goes here. At the end when reversing your journey with a smily face. Don't get too perplexed at why you can't find where the 2 stray harnesses go. They come back through the doorcard and into said console for windows up/down.

Undo door latch and door-lock cables (one pulls outwarda and other pulls out, rearwards -take pics, get it right) and disconnect all wiring harness thingies. Pics as you go so as to prompt the reversal at the end. Remove speaker, but remember it's extremely low torque bolts (into plastic) which I think were 10mm or 12mm.

Take time to admire speaker for a mo and be thankful you don't have a '*******' German car where they might have had a SangYong or whatever speak (out of sight and mind.... etc etc).

Here's the only tricky bit of the whole op. Need to push the window slider mechamism from the window bottom-grommet-thingy. Obviously you'll have faffed with the window up/down before this and removed the 2 bolts (either side). If you hadn't, then maybe you shouldn't be attempting this 😉 

Just a word of caution. Please don't be like me and keep faffing with window controls whilst engine is off. Unless you have an extremely new Battery that's 101% charged, you will be digging about at the nieghbours for jump leads!!!

Window pulls nicely, up and out. Realign shiny new used overpriced window, slide it down ensuring it's going through the seals. Spend a bit of faff time trying to ensure the window slidy bracket is carefully pushed over and onto the bolt openings. Attach bolts.

Maybe spray a bit of silicone lube over seals. Slide window up and down (with engine on remember, it's an LS430, even Greta Thunberg wouldn't hear the purr) and smile with satisfaction. Try not to think about the chav culprits.

Pop door card close to door and attached both cables (refer to your pic you took earlier and maybe a dab of grease on the metal ball ends). Attach harnesses and don't forget to have popped back the speaker and its harness before this. The door card is removed by unpopping the clips (pulling out) and up over the 3 metal lips at the window seals. So just do reverse now with a bit of malleting with the hand to ensure clips are all popped back in.

Go grab a cuppa tea and maybe wipe down window. Give pat on back and take a pic for your friends at Lexus forum..

Right, firstly Malc... The other nieghbour I bumped into yesterday and he offered me a sit down today so we could check the footage. Not sure if I'll go to the police TBH as it's taken me so long already and my exp with police (unless it's armed police with a patient at work and they need letting in/off the unit and are outta the comfort zone) is that they tend to be rather rude. Even the other day as I tried to report a poor ol lorry/van broken down in the outside (slow) lane, the chap on the phone (to the police) told me rather arrogantly, "we don't use motorway markers, give me the junction". That actually annoyed me more than these silly chavs responsible for this damage!!

Message to self.... don't make an angry face... don't make angry face...

Right, so yesterday I went to Lexus Parts Direct again. Once again I was told to collect from a working garage despite being in the 9-5 opening times zone! Picked up the front and thought I may as well grab the rear too as it has the dreaded delamination/condensation thing going on. Paul Frost eBay listing had mentioned they were all clean and not affected, but upon closer inspection I've found the to have the breach of seal at the bottom. Could've called back and tried to get something knocked off the £80 paid for it, but Paul comes across as someone that doesn't take kindly to hagglers...

Anyway, back to the task at hand of documenting the install procedure. Couldn't find much info online so may aswell report on it as it's a 4/10 difficulty job. Anyone happy with greasy hands could easily take a shot IMHO.

Yes... Should be ranting and raving to be fair (in a normal situation) but recently have upped my prayers (usually as a muslim we pray 5 a day but there's this midnight/post midnight prayer which I started doing not long ago) and I reckon that's really helped relax the mind/heart alot more.

Don't get me wrong @BigBoomer I was stressed and annoyed enough that after the missus gave me an earful (can't recall what) simultaneously as me noticing the car thing, I was annoyed enough that I gave an earful back with my eldest. Aimed at her, not him and I apologised to her after. She tends to get stressed more than me sometimes and doesn't realise it doesn't help matters.

Obviously I apologised after and thankfully haven't caught or become aware of the culprits as things may have gotten out of hand. Like she (the missus) always tells me, "if it's one yhing that really winds you up, is your cars not feeling well".

Lastly, every cloud has the silver lining and in return so far I've got 3 positives...

1. I get the chance to learn how to replace the window (properly).

2. Paul Frost has one that I'm collecting for £80 and it's not got condensation in like the one the smashed.

3. Which is most important in my eyes. I learnt a new supplication which I forced myself to learn... "We belong to God and to God is our return, Oh God reward me for my calamity and replace my loss with something better".

Anyway, thankfully the nieghbours who have footage haven't shown it me yet. Means I'll not try to take matters into my own hands as it ultimately (hopefully) wasn't personal and just a bunch of 'junkies' too stupid to know better. Looking forward to a new window that looks pristine (finally) 😊