cdn2k1gs3

Looking for any information I can have handy before I visit the Lexus Dealer.

2001 GS300
About 70,000 miles.

Purchased Espelir Springs through CL member and took them to a "reputed" installer in San Antonio. Went in on Saturday at 3pm and left at 7pm without the car. Installer had stripped one of the front struts and I had to order a replacement through Lexus (changed both front struts).

Went to pick up the car Tuesday evening. With new struts and springs, height was just what I wanted. Installer recommended alignment check - took it to NTB and verified alignment was good.

Now for the problem....

Any medium to hard braking from ANY speed results in the ABS unit releasing brake pressure when the vehicle speed drops below 3mph. Its almost like the main braking force from the ABS unit releases and only the mechanical interference of the pad on the rotor brings the vehicle to a stop.
(Can't explain it in simpler terms, wish I could show you what I'm talking about)

No ABS light or Check Engine Light. All lights are on at Ignition On and turn off when the vehicle is running. Transmission behaving fine. Power mode on ECT functioning normally. VSC functions normally.

Condition definitely did NOT exist before the vehicle was lowered.

My guess is that it's the Vehicle Speed Sensor or some sensor tied into the ABS Unit. Hopefully the ABS Unit is fine....

So...what do you guys think...I would appreciate the feedback.

Caoboy

iTrader: (2)

Did they mess up the ABS sensor? It's known that it's supposed to be treated like a bomb.

cdn2k1gs3

I thought it might be the ABS sensor but I should have seen an ABS warning light or something. Nothing there....do you have any idea how much those things cost?

Caoboy

iTrader: (2)

something like 250.00? I'm not sure, i read that that's how much they cost somewhere on here before.

Lexamatic

Yeah, I vote for a damaged ABS sensor. When I had my Eibachs installed a couple of weeks ago, I specifically asked the installer about protecting them during installation and he told me he secures those away from the work area as soon as he begins the teardown. I think a new one is about $150. Be sure to get a Genuine Lexus (Toyota) part as a replacement.

cdn2k1gs3

Thanks guys...Cao you were dead on with the price - 245.55 per wheel for part only. Off to North Park Lexus on Monday...wish me luck!

I tried to find a used one on the internet but no luck.

slickgt1

iTrader: (1)

Nope not a damaged ABS sensor. I did this to my own car once. Ok easy fix. Just you gonna get a little dirty. Take off your front wheels, take out the ABS sensor from the hub and clean that **** nicely. Use a rag, get the dirt and grease off. Take a Q-Tip and spin the hub, clean the teeth in there as well. Do not spray anything into the hub, (I have a feeling that is why my bearing turned to rust). The water does not drain out of there. Yea, main part is to keep the sensor clean. Your mechanic probably touched it with dirty hands.

Then put everything back and enjoy.

FYI
That sensor registers lock-up values. I only realized that when I borrowed my friends Snap-On scan-tool. I was driving around and monitoring my ABS, while slowing down, one wheel would register stop, while the others didn't, and this trigered ABS. The sensor is magnetic, and dirt prevents a good reading.

cdn2k1gs3

Slick,

Wow, that sounds like an easy fix. I'm going to try that this morning. What tools do I need to remove the ABS sensor from the hub? Any and all information would be much appreciated. Thanks!

kit cat

iTrader: (6)

broken ABS ring?

slickgt1

iTrader: (1)

The tools you need is a wrench to take off your wheel, and like a 10 or a 12mm to take that bolt out for the ABS sensor. Thats it. The rest is clean and reasemble.

cdn2k1gs3

Slickgt1,

Time for you to open your own Lexus repair shop. You were absolutely right. Sunday afternoon, I opened up the RH VSS and found dirt on the sensor and the spline. Cleaned it and did the same for the remaining wheels.

Problem went away....now the car looks good and runs GREAT!
Thanks again slick...and everyone else. Rollin'

slickgt1

iTrader: (1)

No prob bro. Yea everyone tells me to open up my own shop, well at least after they see my tool collection, lol.

Glad you up an running fine again, without the cost of replacing those sensors. It is amazing how such a little amount of dirt can throw those sensors off.

cdn2k1gs3

Yeah I as really surprised. What upset me more than anything else was that when I went to pick up my car from the md shop he repeatedly told me to be careful driving home because my brakes felt spongy. What a crock. He actually let me drive off knowing he had caused that.

Oh well, I know better than to trust a shop like that again!