2002 gs430
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 431
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From: NC
Still waiting on the front sway from powder coating.
So far the CEL hasn't come back after installing the new gas cap and clearing the code although I'm not quite sure if I've driven long enough for the monitors to do a full cycle or whatever.
I just ordered upper and lower rear control arms along with the rear toe rods so I can get that all done when swapping the rear springs.
I moved the black dashboard from the garage to the living room so it can taunt/motivate me as I work all day. I'm so close to having everything I need to finish the interior swap yet it seems so far away with all of the work that needs to be done as part of it. We're going on vacation mid April so I think I'll tackle it when we get back. By then, our weather should be nice and clear enough that I can take my time with the swap and rely on my motorcycle for transportation while the GS is down.
So far the CEL hasn't come back after installing the new gas cap and clearing the code although I'm not quite sure if I've driven long enough for the monitors to do a full cycle or whatever.
I just ordered upper and lower rear control arms along with the rear toe rods so I can get that all done when swapping the rear springs.
I moved the black dashboard from the garage to the living room so it can taunt/motivate me as I work all day. I'm so close to having everything I need to finish the interior swap yet it seems so far away with all of the work that needs to be done as part of it. We're going on vacation mid April so I think I'll tackle it when we get back. By then, our weather should be nice and clear enough that I can take my time with the swap and rely on my motorcycle for transportation while the GS is down.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 431
Likes: 194
From: NC
Beautiful day out to work in the garage! I wasn't planning to work this weekend but the stuff from Rockauto showed up first thing this morning so I figured why not.
TRD springs, upper/lower control arms, and toe rods are done...although I'm having an issue with the toe rod I'm making a new post about.
Surprisingly, the rear TRD springs are just a tad longer than the Teins. No idea why there's such a discrepancy between the front and rear lengths but it's riding real nice overall. I did use the lower perch setting for the rear thinking it would level out with the front but now the front is a tad high so tomorrow I'll probably drop the fronts down to the lower perch and call it a day.
TRD springs, upper/lower control arms, and toe rods are done...although I'm having an issue with the toe rod I'm making a new post about.
Surprisingly, the rear TRD springs are just a tad longer than the Teins. No idea why there's such a discrepancy between the front and rear lengths but it's riding real nice overall. I did use the lower perch setting for the rear thinking it would level out with the front but now the front is a tad high so tomorrow I'll probably drop the fronts down to the lower perch and call it a day.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 431
Likes: 194
From: NC
Got those nuts torqued, dropped the front perches, and it is back together. There's still a few bushings I want to replace down the line to complete the total suspension overhaul but it's sitting nice for now at least. I'm very impressed with how well it rides and handles and really can't wait to get my front sway back and installed. Now it just needs another alignment as the rear toe and/or camber is off a bit.
Got those nuts torqued, dropped the front perches, and it is back together. There's still a few bushings I want to replace down the line to complete the total suspension overhaul but it's sitting nice for now at least. I'm very impressed with how well it rides and handles and really can't wait to get my front sway back and installed. Now it just needs another alignment as the rear toe and/or camber is off a bit.
Yes Suhhhhhhh!
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Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 431
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From: NC
Took the old girl up to NOVA to visit my sis over the weekend and it didn't miss a beat. I'm getting a slight front vibration around 78-84mph. I did notice my front right wheel is slightly out of true the last time I had it off so I think it may be that and/or a balance issue. I'll have to rotate the wheels at some point to see if it gets better. But it smooths out right at 85 and stays smooth up to 95 which is as much as I wanted to push it when I had gaps in traffic. I might try retrofitting some lower air deflectors from a later model Lexus since ours never got equipped with them...might help with higher speed stability and/or fuel mileage. I used to make and sell a similar item for MR2s which provided a noticeable improvement.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 431
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From: NC
Finally got the front sway back
The collar bushings that came with it fell apart when I removed them so I found some locking shaft collars on McMaster Carr
Looking as clean as it will ever be before it gets covered in leaking oil
The collar bushings that came with it fell apart when I removed them so I found some locking shaft collars on McMaster Carr
Looking as clean as it will ever be before it gets covered in leaking oil
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 431
Likes: 194
From: NC
Yeah it's handling real well except the front right is creaking over dips now probably because of how old those bushings are. It looks like the GS350 should use the same thickness swaybar so I got a set of those bushings in hopes they'll fit within the bracket.
And a local junkyard got another black interior GS in stock last week so here's hoping I can find the rest of the interior swap parts I need this weekend....
And a local junkyard got another black interior GS in stock last week so here's hoping I can find the rest of the interior swap parts I need this weekend....
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 431
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From: NC
Maybe if I start tearing it apart now, the junkyard will manifest the rest of the parts I need.
This is going to be a long one. I've got our Volvo back up for sale so I figure I should get this done now while I still have a 2nd car to drive. So much more deep cleaning needs to be done, sound deadening the roof and floor, dying the front seats while they're out, and I've got some felt tape on order to layer between as many hard trim pieces as I can to cut down on creaks and rattles.
Let's hope I remember how to put it back together...
This is going to be a long one. I've got our Volvo back up for sale so I figure I should get this done now while I still have a 2nd car to drive. So much more deep cleaning needs to be done, sound deadening the roof and floor, dying the front seats while they're out, and I've got some felt tape on order to layer between as many hard trim pieces as I can to cut down on creaks and rattles.
Let's hope I remember how to put it back together...
Last edited by JonGS3; Mar 12, 2024 at 04:22 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 431
Likes: 194
From: NC
Donor dash stripped. All existing OEM foam will be replaced with new weather stripping as well as adding some at a few junctions where none currently exists. Underside of the dash will be cleaned as well as all vents because it's all slimy and dusty. That old *** dirty carpet will be replaced with sound deadening and closed cell foam. Soft felt tape will be applied to as many plastic on plastic contact points as possible to minimize creaking. That stupid stick on wood trim will naturally be removed as well.
Don't hotbox your cars, kids.
Don't hotbox your cars, kids.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 431
Likes: 194
From: NC
I appreciate the factory foam but we can do better.
2mm deadener with 8mm closed cell foam on top. Here's hoping it all fits back together
Fun fact: the FSM calls for replacement of those panel push pins anytime a panel is removed, presumably to ensure a tight fit. I've never actually done that and doubt anyone else really does but figured I'd take the opportunity now. I found some that have a little soft gasket that I'm hoping will aid in reducing rattles.
Rear C-pillar panels with carpet replaced
2mm deadener with 8mm closed cell foam on top. Here's hoping it all fits back together
Fun fact: the FSM calls for replacement of those panel push pins anytime a panel is removed, presumably to ensure a tight fit. I've never actually done that and doubt anyone else really does but figured I'd take the opportunity now. I found some that have a little soft gasket that I'm hoping will aid in reducing rattles.
Rear C-pillar panels with carpet replaced
