shirkes330

I'm kinda new to this whole forum thing but I've been reading a lot on here! I am the owner of a 1996 LS400 in Ebony Teal Pearl with 165,xxx on odo... Car is in pretty decient shape and for $3700 i couldnt pass it up! I owned a 2004 ES 330 until I totaled it I've owned the LS for about 7 months and love it's but its a car im restoring and as such I've had a laundry list of problems from the get go...
Fuel pump & filter
Lower ball joints broken
Cracked windshield
Gas leak
Ripped front seat bottoms
Hood struts
Possessed nak head unit ( still looking for a replacement )
A check engine light that reads an oxygen sensor code but after reset comes on frequently...
And the most confusing paint color known to man:/
So I'm asking advice for my 15 year old beauty! what are some things I need to look out for...
Also I'm not into the JDM look so I'm just trying to make the car look as new as possible and keep the stock look...
My paint is my first worry I'd like to get it into better shape( lots of swirl marks, loss of shiny appearance, chips, etc)
I'm new to this restoration process and any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
P.S. attaching some pictures so you can see the condition of my car!
Everything I have read has been great on here, and a great forum all together!
Look forward to your help and comments!

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

welcome to clublexus, I loved that color
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...ls400-faq.html
^most if not all of your questions are answered in that faq, and by searching.

shirkes330

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

AzHotLS

iTrader: (1)

Was PD's help not sufficient?

For your detailing question, read the stickies in the care and detailing sub-forum:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/aut...detailing-122/

While mostly for the first gen LS, this site has great info: www.lexls.com

PaulieWalz

I got the same lex with the same color pattern, with just over 171,000 miles. Man i love the ebony teal i use to have it shining all the time but after a little accident and a couple of thousand miles later i decided on painting my entire car Schwartz black pearl for a change. Im changing out all the current factory lighting with DEPO brand aftermarkets i hear from the reviews they are great quality, i got all my lighting off ebay id recommend buying on there. Good luck with everything keep us updated!

plmeeker

on earley LS's you should check the rear carrier bushings, that is very common on those cars. Also check the power steering sys. if the P/S pump starts to leak , it leaks on to the alt. and will cause it to go bad.. good luck

shirkes330

Thanks guys I have a few updates I found a new head unit which excited me to no end!!! And I'm having an upholsterer sew me a new seat bottom for the drivers seat I'll post pics once I get it back! I love this car I can't wait until summer so I can get the paint back in shape. What exactly are the rear carrier bushings? I just has the lower ball joints replaced to end some knocking over bumps at low speeds while braking and it didn't work?

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

if you actually click the links i gave you then you would know the cause for the front end clunking over bumps is due to worn front strut rod bushings....

search for more info.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Congrats!
As well, any of the codes the car throws will; be obvious fixes. The rest, you already gave a good list to work through.

shirkes330

So I have clicked them and I'm aware of the front strut rod bushings. However I'm not sure of how to tell if mine are bad because my mechanic said he thought my struts are fine??? Are there any crystal clear signs to tell if there bad?

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Visually the strut rod bushings are not as obvious unless totally blown. With high probability at 165K, they are done. A fresh bushing will fix the clunking. Another sign will be your alignment specs will not hold especially the caster. Considering an alignment is ~$75, it is more efficient to do the strut bar and ball joints at the same time. With this off, your mechanic can inspect the tie rod ends for any obvious play and replace as necessary. Check the steering rack as well.

You have a code for the fuel pump or other symptoms that indicate it needs replacement?
My mechanic commented to me if the car has been stateside, the probability of dirty gas is very low. Fuel filter issues are uncommon. I was going by the recommended maintenance and brought him a fuel filter but he said I was wasting a still good filter by replacing it. It wasn't a big $$ fix at $45, he said spend the $45 on a meal out rather than pay him.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

strut rod bushings aren't on the shocks, they are sometimes called the caster arm. it's a bar that goes from the lower control arm forwards mounting on the chassis.

shirkes330

Well then I guess bushings it is then. Especially for less than $100 where do I order them and as far as my fuel filter/pump I've had that replaced already! But thank you!

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

"where do I order them " read the stickies PD told you about.
Oh well... I got mine from Sewell last month..so I could keep the Lexus ride intact
( you could learn this, and the cost by reading also)
OR you can order POLYS, and ruin your Lexus ride..
check it out

shirkes330

Okay I've been reading all morning on this I have a link that deanshark gave me a few months ago on my old thread which item number is the one I need?
http://www.lexuspartsnow.com/Page_Pr...onentsIndex=31