Tomtit

A check for any stored fault codes will narrow down the search.

After last year's MOT test the tester said that the parking brake was out of balance and ideally needed adjustment. (I had recently replaced the parking brake shoes). This year to adjust it I followed the workshop manual procedure which said to tighten the adjusters until the wheels lock then back off the adjustment by 7 notches. I did this and had my first MOT fail for many years. The tester said the reading was just over 100 when it should have been 200. I brought the car home and set about adjusting again. After 3 episodes of putting on axle stands, wheels off, adjust, wheels back on, take off axle stands and test drive, I was getting nowhere. The parking brake would not hold the car. I adjusted the brakes again until the wheels were locked and the car struggled to move with the parking brake on. For attempt no. 5 I backed off the adjusters by only one tooth. I took the car for a retest and it passed with a reading of 200. Hopefully my experience may help others.

The wooden steering wheel feels good and makes the interior look more classy. You could buy a used one if you really wanted one.

When one of my air struts failed I replaced all 4 struts with conventional springs and shock absorbers. The new parts will probably last the life of the car and cost the same price as a single Lexus air strut. I fitted them myself so no labour charges. The entire conversion cost about £1000 a few years ago.

I use amayama to obtain the part nos. I have also bought parts from them. Usually cheaper than main dealer prices. The only downside is the delay as they are despatched from Japan. In the past I have used amayama to find the part nos. and then obtained the parts more quickly from reputable UK ebay suppliers.

We usually replace the sensors one at a time as and when when they fail. Are any fault codes present ?

+1 for Yuasa batteries.

That is a classy colour.

That's great news. I am pleased for you. You will enjoy yourself when you get back behind the wheel regularly.

I fitted KYB parts to my LS430 and cannot fault them.

I had the same code yesterday. It was a leak at the exhaust flange before the downstream O2 sensor on the nearside.

Our 3 cars have Yuasa batteries. Never had a problem with them. Look on the GSF website for a 10% discount.

The number for the screws is 42627-24010. I bought mine from Amayama. 10 screws for £53.30 including postage from Japan.

I assume the spark plugs are all OK? A coil pack could be breaking down. Could it be down to an inlet manifold leak or an exhaust leak? Just general questions as i am not familiar with the SC400 engine.

I converted from air to factory spec conventional springs and shock absorbers. Replacing just one air strut would have cost more than the value of the car. There was also the possibility of other air components failing in the future. I used a mix of Toyota and KYB parts so that my insurers did not view it as a modification. I am happy with the ride; it is much more comfortable than my SC430 and my wife's RX300. The new parts will probably last the life of the car.