Lexs400

Guys,
I wanted to know if someone else is experiencing the same problem.
My 93LS400 sits low from the rear compared to the front. it has always been like that. as if there's some heavy load in the trunk. the dealer had replaced the rear shocks but it still is the same. at this point the dealer doesnt know what else to do. any input would be appreciated... it just seems odd to drive it like that. makes it look like u've got 3000lbs worth of load in the trunk while the trunk is empty !
confused ....

DougS68

Well, That is precisely why I go to an independant now. The dealership twice has missed or given me "I don't know" as an answer. I have both times received the answer right here. I think I don't know from a dealer unacceptable. It's their car, they do nothing else... blah, blah, blah.

Anyway enough of my ranting. I assume that you do not have the adjustable suspension? If you do, I would think it is clearly malfunctioning or at least mal-adjusted. Tires the same size and inflation? I had a '91 LS that the trunk filled with water and no-one knew why. (Sold it) that could ba alot of weight if that is the problem. (The solution to that was to open the drain plugs under the spare tire.) I am also wondering if there is improper equiment instaled in the front suspension rising it too high?

Those are my unesducated thoughts... I'd be curious to know how it resolves. Good Luck!

Lexs400

thanks for the reply. and i agree with you on the service being really poor. and it's not just one particular dealership. i've tried 4 so far around my area.
the car doesn't have air suspension. as for the water, i doubt if that's the case. but i'll look into it. the front is not raised too high. front is just normal. it's the rear that sits too low. the curve of the body is at the same height as the top of the tire. so there's no space between the two if you're looking at the car from a distance..
i thought shocks but they're new now. i wonder if springs would be the case but wouldnt the dealer have figure that much out on their own ?

Rice

As DougS68 said, it could only be one of two things: A bunch of water in the trunk - in the spare storage area or in the sides, or the springs. I think it is most likely that it is springs, although I've never heard of anyone having the same problem.

damon

Not sure that it is so simple. My 94 LS 400 with 140,000 miles definitely rides low in the rear. I will soon be replacing the struts with OEM.

I see LS 400's all of the time that look low in the rear. The vast majority of owners never even think about changing the struts out.

My best guess is that if you have allowed the vehicle to go as long as I have without a strut replacement, then other parts of the suspension ( notably springs) have been carrying the weight. When they carry load they compress & you loose ride height & probably comfort.

If you were constantly carrying around large amounts of water , your trunk would be wet every time you opened it & would smell!. If you were deaf & did not here the sloshing , You would soon be greeted by the fact that you spare tire would have rusted thru to your gas tank!!

My 2 cents, damon

DougS68

I agree with Damon. When I had the water problem in the trunk, it was pretty obvious and terrifically obnoxious in all the ways you mentioned. I guess I was assuming that the dealer would be able offer that information as the problem. It would appear that this is not the only lexus to have this problem (that I would usually associate with old Cryslers and Town cars.) LOL.

Back to the damnable dealer. They should know this stuff!

Lexs400

doug,
it would be nice if the dealer DID know but then again the same ol story

damon

Just switched out struts on my 143,000 mile LS. Went with OEM ordered from Carsons:
48510-59016 at $45 each.
48530-59055 at $51.00 each.

Not sure which is front & back. I also changed the front upper support assembly. 48680-50060 ( $76.00 each!!) A visual inspection shows the originals to appear to be in pretty good shape in terms of rubber deterioration. Perhaps CL members up north have more problems with this due to the colder climate & use of road salts.

Gary's Alignment in Dallas charged $120.00 for the fronts, $150.00 for the rears & $85.00 for a front & rear alignment. They knocked it out in an afternoon.

The ride is now a huge improvement over pre-strut install. The back end has raised back up substantially!
I am definitely a fan of OEM over Tokico for quietness & comfort. (And yes I have added Tokico to another 90 LS which my father owns) These are two main reasons I own an LS400 & not a GS!!

damon

additude

Maybe it was a drug car in it's prior days and there is a bunch of Mary-J and Cocaine hidden in the back end of the car

My guess is it is the springs, if your absolutely sure it's not a visual where the front might be to high making the rear appear low.

It's also possible you had a bad set of shocks installed. Other than that it's springs.

If you don't want to replace the springs you can buy "Spring Expanders" from places like AutoZone and Pep Boys.