Yes do a Transmission Drain and Fill only, and change the Filter. I would also do a Intake cleaning, and BK44 in the Tank.

 

I’m not sure about the transmission, I’ll get more information. The car care nut says there are bits of the clutch floating in there that actually help the clutch do its job, so when you let it go too long and drain it, you hurt it more than help by removing all the bits floating around that help the clutch. I’m not a mechanic, but it seems logical.

I might do a drain and fill, not sure.

Induction cleaning was done at 108k miles according to service record.


The brakes and rotors were changed tonight with my brother. They were badly needed. Took about an hour, 40 min first tire and around 20 second tire once we realized more what to do with the springs lol.

Control arms seem ok from inspection. Shocks appear to be leaking a little oil. I was wondering if they might be needing replaced based on a few riding characteristics. We’ll see what Toyota says when they check it out Friday as well. If it needs it, my brother can help me swap those out. Looks like a Lexus dealer an hour and a half away sells the parts for the same price as after market car part stores. I want to stick with OEM as much as possible. If the control arms need doing, I plan to go with Autozone’s parts. Seem to be as close to OEM as you can get and have a lifetime warranty. $1k for a full set after a coupon. I’ll wait those out though. I’d like to pay this off before I start putting too much into it.

The antifreeze was at the low mark, but my intention is to have it flushed Friday. It’s at 60k miles, so its time. Was done when the water pump was change at 70k, and it has 133k now.

THe only real concern I noticed was oil leaking from the top side around the fuel pump on both sides. A common issue I understand, and a fairly easy job for a decent mechanic. I see on eBay a Lexus dealer selling two gasket kits for around $100 shipped to do both sides. The video I watched on this shows the valve cover coming off to do it. If that is the case, would it be wise to go ahead and have the valve cover gaskets replaced as well? The same Lexus dealer has a kit with both valve cover gaskets and all 8 spark plug gaskets for $100. I don’t know if it is smart to change it, but if you are disturbing the seal to do the other part I’m thinking you might as well do it all. Thoughts?

 

Do the Trans drain and fill and the Filter. It will help not hurt. The idea behind cleaning the Upper Intake is to keep it cleaned, not have to do lots of carbon built up cleaning after. You can do it yourself if you Google and also add some BK44 to a tank. I have seen the difference between ones that were cleaned regularly vs those cleaned at 100k plus. It's your LS but, you asked.

Congrats and good luck, seems you got a nice LS!!

 

I would say to do the valve cover gasket at the same time as the fuel pump gaskets. Mine are leaking too, however, I don't think you need to take the valve cover off to replace them since the fuel pump gaskets push in through the top of the cover. Just have to be careful in making sure you don't get any debris into the hole as it is a large opening.

For the control arms, rockauto may also be a good place to get parts. I priced out a full front end set of arms, almost all MOOG brand (solid brand) and it was about $500-600 shipped. Although, I don't know if those come with lifetime warranty like the autozone parts do.

 

It's normal for shocks to leak a little as they age. It doesn't mean they need replacement yet.

 

Yeah, I'm thinking I might just do the plugs and the gaskets that need it right now. I'm just a little itchy to get ahead of known repairs so I have some peace of mind.
Wow, those are some cheap control arms. Looks like the TRQ you can get from parts express for around $500 as a set. Can anybody confirm if they last and have the same OEM ride? I've seen people report the cheaper ones fail within a year. Not sure if that is all cheaper ones or just a certain brand.

 

I have been hearing spotty reviews with aftermarket control arms ride quality. Probably pony up $2k for OE parts and get it done instead.

 

Search the threads here you don't want the original OE you want the "upgraded" parts used on later years for this generation.

 

DON'T do this. The factory amp puts out an equalized signal to produce a response as close to flat as possible with the factory speakers only. Replacing the factory speakers with aftermarket speakers will likely produce an awfully mismatched frequency response. FYI, the sub setup/equalization in the 2007-2012 LS460 is WAY better than the 2013+ versions (where they may as well have omitted it altogether)!

 

Fair enough then. Thank you for the warning. I'm pretty pleased with it as is, so I'll just try to "suffer" through. haha

 

Congrats! You have some good ideas and I think it will be a nice car for you!

 

I was misinformed about this car leading into it, but I’m in it now. I normally never buy without a lot of research, but between the recommendation by a friend who used to sell Lexus cars as a dealer, and the Lexus name, I jumped in. It is a good car, and the engine and trans are good. It’s just that I apparently bought right at time to do all maintenance and age related issues.

All four struts have to be replaced. I have purchased those OEM from an out of state dealer that offers a good discount, free shipping, and no sales tax. I also got front sway bar links from Delphi, and KYB mounts for the Front. My brother will do this so no labor fee.

All 4 OEM Struts from Lexus - $685
2 - KYB front strut mounts - $65
2 - Delphi sway bars - $35

There are some oil leaks, so I have to do a valve cover gasket replacement on both sides. That will include the fuel pump gasket kit, and spark plugs.

All OEM - 2x Valve Covers gaskets, 8x spark plug gaskets, 8x spark plugs, HPFP gasket kit for both sides - $275 parts / $525 labor with local mechanic that works on Luxury cars (Found this guy by word of mouth. He used to work at a Mercedes dealership. When I arrived at his place he had a newer Bentley and Mercedes there to work on, as well as a Lexus SUV. He comes highly recommended. He only charges $75 a hour and has a garage at his home).

The mechanic found out the lower front control arms have to be replaced. I went back and forth on this. I have heard really good things about Delphi parts, and I can get all 4 for $375 shipped. But then I realized the newer upgraded control arms are “only” $500 more from Lexus with the current discounts. Has anybody used Delphi control arms?

So, it seems I’ll have around $2-3kmore into the car above the sell price of 13,6k after state fees.

I hope this wasn’t a bad choice. :/

 

We get lots of posts from new owners who didn't research and get a prepurchase inspection. Just saying you're not the first or the last.

 

Live and learn!

At least it is the only car I owe money on. I’m just struggling to trust it now lol.

 

The pricing of 13.6k is alright but given that you should be aware it is a 70k car and so parts and repairs be priced like that. Not like an Avalon. I have a 98 LS400 and sometimes I take it a mechanic for repair, the labor charges are almost as same as LS460 say for brake fluid or brake change, It doesn't matter there. So find a good mechanic or be good at wrenching if you're going to maintain them.

Your car has decent amount of service records and the price you got quoted for rest of repairs are also very reasonable. Depending on how much you drive, it would be a keeper or no go IMHO. These cars have depreciated and appreciated again, if you're going to keep say 5 years and do another 50k miles on them, I would expect it would be like $5-6k with 180k on odometer in 2028. You would also spend around $1-2k/yr on maintenance averaged out. I took possession of my LS400 with 218k and now its 262k and did most of my work my selves. When I ran the numbers on maintenance it was like 1k/yr and I had it from Summer 2018.

Thanks to YouTube and ClubLexus, the community was invaluable in so many ways. Good luck with yours.