It seems that I'm lazy, so the rear bumper exhaust garnish, and the muffler delete, will have to wait. I managed to cruise over 300 miles yesterday, though. The car feels stellar in stock form. I'm excited to feel what another reduction of ~20 lb of rotational mass will feel like on this platform.

 

I'm scheduled for Saturday, to change the oil, and inspect the undercarriage. I have all of the tools, and now the knowledge, necessary to perform the oil change. I'll take pictures of the undercarriage, in case I have any questions to ask. Then, I'll order the first batch of modifications, and anything else that may be required.

 

I changed the oil, and inspected the undercarriage.





It appears that there are quite a couple of leaks that need to be addressed. That will be the next task that I need to take care of...






I don't know how the lower control arm bushings are supposed to look after almost 200k miles. The front inner tires are wearing prematurely, though. In the meantime, I'll continue driving sparingly.

1) Repair transmission pan leak
2) Repair rear differential leak
3) Replace the rear bumper exhaust garnish
4) Swap in the muffler delete
5) Order the Sikky rear sway bar kit
6) Order the RR Racing USRS kit

The square wheel setup will have to wait until the lower control arm bushings are situated.

 

I attempted my first peel out today since it rained. Even without an LSD, it was easy to control by feathering the throttle. I've been rather cautious with the throttle during turns, and don't WOT unless I'm straightened out. Is it possible to learn how to drift, in a somewhat safe manner, without an LSD?

 

I stopped being lazy.

 

At last, I finally have high quality pictures of the IS F. This is so satisfying when it all connects.

First, will be closeup and generic shots.

 

Then, the remaining exterior shots.

 

I love that color; nice photos.

 

I ordered all of the parts necessary for the transmission flush a couple of weeks ago and they just arrived, so I'll be addressing the leak within the next couple of weeks. I still have to research on what needs to be changed to repair the rear differential leak in the meantime.

 

I'll be addressing the transmission pan leak, and flush, in a few hours. I watched several videos, and read the sticky thread multiple times. I'm going to pump all six quarts in from the beginning, rather than risk not having enough fluid inside the transmission. I'll report once I arrive back home after the job is complete.

 

Mission successful. Altogether, it was about a two hour job, with the addition of three hours waiting for the transmission to cool down to the 95-108 degree F range for releasing the excess fluid.








Next, will be addressing the rear differential leak. I still have to research on the procedure.

 

The pinion shaft seal leak on the diff is no small adventure. If you are unfamiliar with setting up a differential, I would not recommend doing this at home. The FSM shows removing the entire differential, and completely disassembling it to service the front seal. Doing this without removing the differential means you will need to make some assumptions about tightening the pinion shaft nut so the preload on the pinion shaft bearings is in the right range. If you get it wrong, you'll be looking for a new differential.

 

I will change the differential fluid, at the very least. I'll search for an inexpensive open differential in the meantime, or a used LSD if one becomes available.

I'll be ordering the RR Racing USRS in a couple of weeks.

 

I've decided to delay the purchase of the RR Racing Tune + intake elbow until I also purchase headers. After reading over the forum, the funds could be better spent in other criteria. Depending on how much oil actually leaks from the rear differential, after I clean the underside and swap the fluid, will determine whether I swap in the muffler delete.

Agenda:
1) Change the oil in the rear differential, and clean the undercarriage.
2) Purchase the RR Racing USRS.
3) Potentially swap in the muffler delete.
4) Install the RR Racing USRS.
5) Purchase the Sikky rear sway bar and endlinks.

 

I'll be using the Valvoline SynPower 75W-90 GL-5 for the differential gear oil. I'll go purchase that now.




On Monday, I'll go to my local Lexus dealer to purchase the drain/fill plugs and crush washers.



I intend to change the oil next weekend.