Muti007

Hey fellas. havent been around for a while, real busy with work, travel and life. Recently added a GX470 to the stable as well too. I am going to be the TB/WP 90k service on my LS soon as Ive got about 95k on the odo now and I was wondering a few things.

At what mileage are the original shocks basically shot and in need of replacement? Car still feels great, but I wonder if theyre shot and I just dont know it, and replacement would improve the ride more than I would have expected.

So along those lines, do any of you consider changing the springs as a maintenance item or no?

Finally, should I also be looking to do a coolant and transmission flush and refill now too? A lot of newer cars have sealed trannys and dont want you to change the fluid at all (STUPID!!) but I dont know enough about the LS. What mileage is it recommended, realistically, to do on our cars?

TIA

scottgolf

shocks can vary how long they last based on use, roads, and if the car sat parked for a long time. if the car makes more than one full cycle after going over a bump it is time for new shocks.

On my tranny it is sealed. No service. my friend at the transmission shop says it should be changed because the tranny has to have a vent hole and moisture will get in. I told him that lexus told me it was sealed and never needed to be changed. I don't know on this. I have been told both ways and don't know what to do either. I assume they would have added a dip stick if they wanted it changed.

springs you can test by measureing the distance in the fender well. I don't know what spec is, but your dealer will. too low, time for new springs

will the shocks improve the ride, to me it always seems too, but they say that as long as the car only makes one cycle after a bump that they are good

scottgolf

however there is one thing you are forgeting about that should be checked at your millage is the wheel bearings. this is important.

caddyowner

Ya know, we haven't had a good religious discussion about changing 04-06 transmission fluid in a few months...

cyclehead

Ooh Ooh. Can I start? Sealed transmissions contain magic. Because of this magic, the clutch facings never wear, moisture never intrudes, oil additives never break down, bearings don't wear and don't produce contamination that obstructs tiny orifices or valves. If you ever open the transmission, the magic will come out and cannot be put back in. Amen.

Jabberwock

Oooh - Ooohh - let me go next. The 04-06 Lexus AT fluid never needs to be changed because its LIFETIME fluid. What's so hard to understand about that ? Its LIFETIME AT fluid so it lasts a lifetime.

Now the problem with this is that Lexus won't tell anyone what LIFETIME actually means - are they talking about 100k miles, 150kmiles, 300k miles? Fruit flies live about 10 days, hamsters 18 months, big dogs about 12 years, I'm 57 this year and happily surprised most mornings when I wake up. .

warminwisc

To bad we could not trust the tranny fluid "lifetime" to mean the lifetime politicians remain in office. Forever till they die!

scottgolf

how long do you guys really think we should go with a sealed trans until somebody takes a look at it?

I don't want to start ww3, but i get conflicting answers about this. you know on manual transmissions we never used to change the fluid, i assume because they don't have a valve body and stall converter, but maybe these trannys have something new that i don't know about.

my friend swears that it has to be ventalated, but he is not a toyota specialist, i think the ones he works on are allison transmissions.

caddyowner

My dealer recommends a fluid change at 100k. I may opt to have it done with the 90K service since it's gonna hurt a lot, anyway.

scottgolf

yea caddy owner i am going to do the same. that sounds like the best advice to me. trust me on this if you would have got a s500 by 90k you would be in a lot more pain by this time.

I am so glad you kept the car, you would have missed it.

oh and sorry about the wheel mistaake

Luke27617

iTrader: (2)

Check CL. I have found a mechanic who works for local Lexus dealer and he works on my lexus. I have bought all the parts but fluids. As an example I have paid $400 in labor to change: Timing belt, water pump, thermostat, all breaks and rotors, sway bar install, Break system flush, cooling system flush and spark plugs replace. Just the timing belt/water pump dealer wanted way over $1000. When I asked why, they said it is much more complex process than other cars.

davvv

iTrader: (1)

I don't know if this is true but i remember reading somewhere that for my 02 ls430s tranny fluid is computer leveled and when you change it you need it take it to someone that has the machine that does this. Ive also heard that you dont have to change the tranny oil. Ive never looked into it since im at 144000 and i still dont even feel my tranny shift. Im not experienced about any of this its just wat ive heard. and for my shocks they were done at around 115000

lyles3

Changed my struts and springs last year at around 110,000 on my 01 LS430. Ride was not really bad, but I did have the aggravating bumpidy bump on the front which was from the strut mounts (assuming since it went away when I changed). Additionally, tires were cupping horribly despite multiple alignments. I'm assuming that the springs were alright, but I went with the Tanabe NF210s to lower it a bit. Replaced struts with LS430 sport models purchased from Sewell Lexus. Did the install myself and posted some of the steps in an earlier thread. Love the lowered stance and the ride is just a bit firmer. I have 18" LS430 sport wheels on it as well.

Viper6

Did you replace the strut mounts?

lyles3

Only on the fronts. I used the Monroe Strut Mates. So far so good.