StanVanDam

TnLex13: Your 2001 UL came with a non-sport rear stabilizer bar and non-sport rear stabilizer bar bushings? What are the part numbers for the non-sport parts? How sure are you that the new parts you installed were different?

According to the various online parts diagrams for my 2002, as well as my local dealers, the only stabilizer bar available for any 2002 (UL or sport or base) is the sport one, and the only rear bushings available are the sport bushings.

BCT

I am looking for sport stabilizer bar. Are you saying that if I can get a hold of a rear stabilizer bar from 2002, it is the same as the sport stabilizer bar? Will this bar fit 2004 model? I would imagine it should not be too hard to find a used 2002 stabilizer bar, and probably pretty cheap too.

StanVanDam

I am saying that if you ask any Lexus dealership in-store or online for a 2001-2003 LS430 (any package) rear stabilizer bar bushing, they will say that 48818-50020 is the only option, and the part description for that part # is "Stabilizer Bar Bushing, LS430. With sport pkg."

The current parts catalogs show that the only 2001-2003 rear stabilizer bar is 48812-50130, which is the sport bar. There are many people on these forums who said they changed their 2001-2003 rear swaybars to the sport swaybar, but the current information indicates these 2001-2003 owners already had a sport swaybar, so I am wondering if anyone who did this swap actually took calipers to the bar to verify the 1mm difference. Otherwise, I think they just installed the same bar.

I am trying to find someone here who has a Lexus parts receipt showing non-sport bushings for their 2001-2003, which would prove that a non-sport bar had once existed for 2001-2003.

The 2004-2006 LS430s have 2 rear swaybar options:, 48812-50130 (sport) with sport bushings (48818-50020) or 48812-50120 (non-sport) with non-sport bushings (48818-50030).

Mbodall

I think you're right... the OEM parts website that I use doesn't have any other stabilizer bar part #s for 2001-2003 models either. Unless those people here that "upgraded" it went with the 2004-2006 sport stabilizer bar, they probably just replaced their original one with the same part lol.

My only other thinking on that is,,, since 2004 when Lexus tweaked the suspensions for all 2004+ models to be a little more responsive and stable, maybe they just stopped producing/selling the actual standard suspension stabilizer bars since they were too small and flexible, and forced anyone replacing their stabilizer bar to buy the superior sport suspension version??

BCT

I wish I have access to 01-03 LS so I can measure the sway bar. Appreciate the detailed info. I would love to upgrade mine. I took it on interstate late at night yesterday for first time night driving and open her up to 85 mph. Whoa... very stable, smooth and handle very well for a big heavy boat. I can see I can hit over 100 mph if I am not paying attention. She just kept going and going... Going to need to be careful how hard I push the accelerator lol. She is bit a little floaty for my taste but I know I am not driving a sport car here.

Mbodall

You know that these cars are good for 160mph, right? The US versions are supposed to be electronically limited to 155mph, but I don't think that limiter was every actually installed lol. There are videos on YouTube of people topping out LS430s at that speed. Even my '94 LS400 that I had in high school saw 149mph without too much trouble, not that I ever did that or anything................

BCT

I did not know about the speed limiter, not that I am planning to test that lol

So I saw someone selling used sway bar from 02. I asked the diameter, and was told 13mm. Next time I visit the local dealer, I am going to ask if they can get me one, and the price for both the bar and bushing.