AmdEmAll

Having a few issues with my 2002 LS430.

Somethings up with the handling.. I get a vibration through the steering wheel about 45mph and it gets worse the higher I go. I seem to have to fight with the steering wheel to keep it straight.

Im hoping its just wheel balance but it might be a suspension part gone bad

I also need the rear diff fluid changed (I supply fluid)

Trans fluid has never been flushed (140k) thinking about having that done.

Also a check engine for P0430.

How much do you think they will rape me at the dealership?

Jabberwock

$225 or so at Toyota for diff drain and fill and tranny flush.

caddyowner

Where are you located in MI?

AmdEmAll

Plymouth, MI

LS430Lexus

Meade Lexus has a 15% off coupon through Monday.

Caddy owner, do you have a suggestion for an independent shop?

caddyowner

Unfortunately, no. I always went to Lexus of Lansing as it was convenient to work.

AmdEmAll

I used to work at Victory Toyota and I remember Al the Lexus tech being really good at his job so thats why im taking it there.

AmdEmAll

Question for you guys. I hit a pot hole a while ago and ive had a slow leak in my front right. It would go down to maybe 10 psi after a couple weeks to a month. Finally got around to taking it to belle tire and they said it was wheel corrosion.. they cleaned it. Said they didnt see a bend in the wheel. Still leaks.. I bring it back and they said it was the valve stem. They replace it and it didnt leak for about a month and today I noticed it was nearly flat again. What is causing this?

AlexusAnja

Easy... remove your tire, get a spray bottle of soapy water and spray around and look for bubbles bubbling. Only way you'll know for sure. Check the tire too as might have a nail or leak from crack.

Jabberwock

Maybe take it to a different tire shop since your previous 2 trips to Belle did not resolve the problem. Or take it to Bell and speak to the manager explain this is your 3rd trip there and that they need to fix it or lose your business.

AmdEmAll

Car is at Toyota right now.. just having them look at it. I have a new remote with key I tried to get them to cut and program but they said it needs a laser cutter which appears to be bs according to this site. Anyone know the best way to get this key cut? Locksmith?

Bocatrip

A drain and fill is certainly a good idea. I would not recommend a trans flush for any car especailly for one that never had the fluid changed before. Good luck.

AmdEmAll

Too late.. and the people who say to do it seems to be higher than the people that say not. Hopefully that doesn't come back to bite me

BTW it turned out the vibration was from the wheel weights either fallen of or about to fall off so a balance apparently has fixed it (don't have the car yet).

They are flushing the trans tomorrow and they tried to do the rear fluid but the bolt stripped (in other words they used air tools on it haha).

They are gonna call in the morning for a quote on the catylytic converter it sounded like which I will promptly tell them im not spending 2k on a Y pipe and tell them not to touch it.

Jabberwock

Sometimes what a shop or mechanic calls a fluid flush is actually a low or no pressure full fluid exchange. I think the power flush machines that were around 10 years ago may have been displaced by machines that are designed to do an automated full fluid replacement without the power flush aspects.

jimbosr1

i had a toyota dealer tell me that it would cost 135 dollars to power flush and fill the coolant in my 86 mr2 and 79 to do a drain and fill.i talked to there master tech and he said they dont have a machine for a coolant change and they only drain and fill.
moral of this is if you dont talk to there master tech you will pay for a service they dont offer.