I've done a quick search....then I realized I was following instructions for LS460...

Any how to posts or videos?

have car on jack stands removed stabilizer bar...mildly desperate

thanks!

 

I was watching this series of videos

but suspension is different in the front.



looks like we have to remove the entire aluminum crossmember for the suspension?

 

what we got done

1. removed alternator: This really helps access the manifold bolts and is where we got the starter out and in (4-pin pigtail is actually a pain to undo)
2. removed right motor mount (there was a round bump-stop thing on the front that we took off which made it easier to access the nut on top of the mount)
3. removed all under engine covers and stabilizer (pretty straight-forward)

tomorrow

1. remove manifold (the rear nuts are difficult to access but possible, the O2 sensor plug is behind the engine and was a huge PITA to access we had one reaching from below to pull and one pressing clip from above with a screwdriver)
2. replace starter (not too bad...)

whoever designed this should be beaten

 

got it done today!

Re-assembly was much easier than taking it apart...

only casualties were a a few broken connection clips that needed to be epoxied since the replacements were not available.

fwiw

you don’t have to remove the control arm or the aluminum sub-frame that supports the front suspension. although there appears to be less access in the GS vs LS. otherwise video above worked fine as a guide.

made me want to replace the starter in my jeep just to remind myself how easy it should be...

 

how many miles on your GS460 when the starter failed? what was the cost of the new starter? where did you source it from? I'm at 129k miles and want to have an idea.

 

153K

quoted over $2,000 by lexus dealer and nobody else would touch it for under a grand.

we are in a bind and went w car quest starter from advance auto. $134.

no regrets spending the time. car would have had to sit out of commission for a while to save up to pay someone else to do it....we could probably do it in half the time now.

 

Thanks for the info. Watched the video and it looks like a PITA. Checked rockauto and they do have the Denso starter for $162 if you send in your core. Will probably start gathering parts as I get closer to 140K.

 

My starter has been acting wonky off and on for the past 4 years, so I'm expecting it to go belly-up one of these days. Seems to do is less down here in Houston than it did back in WA... Might have to do with the heat and humidity, I dunno. Great job on the repair.

 

I just saw the GS460 production number thread...no wonder not too many people had responses!