My first Lexus!
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4
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From: KY
My first Lexus!
Hello all, I finally got an LS400! 
She's not in the best shape with 245k on it but it's a welcomed change from the 2 E30s, MK4 Jetta and Civic hatch I've had in the past. I scooped her up for 1000$ off of Craigslist and love the car! It of course needs a few things such are upper control arm bushings and such but I have a problem..for some reason my trunk isn't latching shut. I already ran the wiring back as the DIY I found on this site suggested to no avail. The damn things always flying up over railroad tracks! Does anyone have any useful input as to what may be causing this, it'd be greatly appreciated!
She's not in the best shape with 245k on it but it's a welcomed change from the 2 E30s, MK4 Jetta and Civic hatch I've had in the past. I scooped her up for 1000$ off of Craigslist and love the car! It of course needs a few things such are upper control arm bushings and such but I have a problem..for some reason my trunk isn't latching shut. I already ran the wiring back as the DIY I found on this site suggested to no avail. The damn things always flying up over railroad tracks! Does anyone have any useful input as to what may be causing this, it'd be greatly appreciated!
Driver
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 116
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From: Earth
Uca
What year is your LS?
I just went through the upper control arm ordeal 5 months ago.
After spending a lot of time read this site, here is the conclusion:
1. new OEM UCA are very expensive (each arm is $550)
2. you cannot trust ANY aftermarket arms. All Chinese arms have a bad ball joint design (typically the taper is too thin)
3. best solution is to find an OEM arm from your local junk yard (or on ebay). They go for around $50 to $90. Just make sure the ball joint does not have much play in it and the two bushing are good. Those items are not hard to check. Get someone to teach you how to check the ball joint for play if you don't know how.
I just went through the upper control arm ordeal 5 months ago.
After spending a lot of time read this site, here is the conclusion:
1. new OEM UCA are very expensive (each arm is $550)
2. you cannot trust ANY aftermarket arms. All Chinese arms have a bad ball joint design (typically the taper is too thin)
3. best solution is to find an OEM arm from your local junk yard (or on ebay). They go for around $50 to $90. Just make sure the ball joint does not have much play in it and the two bushing are good. Those items are not hard to check. Get someone to teach you how to check the ball joint for play if you don't know how.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: KY
The cars a 1990, I'm pretty well versed in suspension items. I changed my brake pads last night and noticed the bushings for the upper control arms were pretty shot as are the tie rod ends. There are 2 LS400s in the local junkyard so I'll have to poke my head under there and check em out after I pull out the seats.
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you should be able to see the latch PIN mounted to the body, the latch mounts to the lid. in the photo below, top shows it in the locked position, lower photo is open. you should see the problem by looking at yours and determine what needs to be done. good luck
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