Inquisitor

OK, so I am having some trouble with my car. It is a 1994 LS400 with around 155000 miles on it.

1. The tilt steering stopped working. It extends and retracts but does not raise or lower. Any thoughts?

2. The driver's side rear brake caliper froze, then failed (pretty sure) and needs to be replaced. I can't work on it on the street as it's against the law. Are the front and rear brakes on the same system, e.g. can I drive it a slow mile or two to get it somewhere i can work on it or have it worked on without losing the brakes altogether (fronts are ok) or do i have to get it towed?

3. Once it is road worthy again, I have some Eagle MSR 17x7 5x100 gun metal wheels with 2 x 215/45/17 and 2 x 225/45/17 tires on them from an 01 accord I used to have. I am considering putting these on the Lex and need to know the appropriate size tire and/or if these are even ok to use. I am not exactly concerned about the mileage or speedometer being dead on more concerned with the safety of it...

Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks in advance...
PS I am a noob here so if I have done anything inappropriate (wrong place to post etc...) please let me know and I will fix ASAP.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

you need to search.

Inquisitor

No kidding.

dashan

For the rear frozen caliper, be sure that it is a caliper problem since you will also have a hot rotor if your parking cable is frozen.

steve2006

I should be on commision here!
Seeing as you are a new member and I'm a Brit! lol

Steering problem entered into a Google search revealed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgeIzc9Uga4

Brake caliper problems are normally the result of neglect and lack of servicing, as already mentioned check the handbrake cable hasn't caused the problem then check the caliper slide pins as they seize in the sliders because of lack of grease, if you cannot get them to come out it may mean replacing the caliper.
I wouldn't recommend driving the car if the brakes are faulty in any way, a suspended rear end tow would be your best and safest bet.

As for the wheels the stud pattern is the same 5/114 the offset is close enough but the wheel bores are different (Honda 64.1 Lexus 60.1) so you would need to spigot rings fitted to the wheels.

Have a look here

http://www.carlsalter.com/wheel_fitments.html

With the tyres put the widers ones on the rear and check the rolling radius difference by searching 'rolling radius" on google and looking for a calculator where you put your present and proposed tire sizes in and it tells you what you will need to know regarding speedo errors etc.

Oh OK seeing as you're new here,

http://www.kouki.co.uk/utilities/vis...ize-calculator

steve2006

Just noticed you say your Accord wheels are 5/100? if they are they aint gonna fit a Lexus!

If you are really struggling I could, if you pay my return airfare ( business class will do) accomodation in NJ and then for a week in Fl, come over and personally sort all these problems for you.

deanshark

Hey, it's Steve, the traveling mechanic!!!! That would be an expensive fix for a caliper and steering column. I'll take the work from you, I'm only a couple hours away and it would only be gas money.
But anyway, as already said, if you have brake trouble it's not safe to drive. Although, back when I was young and dumb, I made a 400 mile trip with no brakes, just using the E-brake. Dum dum dum dummmmm. I wouldn't try that now, especially in NY.