Suspension problems?
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Driver School Candidate
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From: CA
Suspension problems?
I recently purchased a 2010 LS460 that was inspected and serviced under an AutoNation warranty. After this was done I drove the car with 4 passengers (2 in front and 2 in back) and noticed the car would bottom out when coming out of my driveway which it has never done with only me driving. In total, I added approximately 400 additional lbs. in passengers. Is this normal or does it sound like the suspension is going out? I had an LS430 prior to this and never had that issue. I would have imagined the inspection would have noted the suspension going south unless that is difficult to detect.
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How steep is your driveway? Coil suspension not air?
my old office had a parking garage that had a very steep ramp, and if I had anybody in the car but me my 15 with coil suspension would bottom out in the middle over the break over at the top. My 17 with air never did despite being longer, the air suspension compensated for the load.
my old office had a parking garage that had a very steep ramp, and if I had anybody in the car but me my 15 with coil suspension would bottom out in the middle over the break over at the top. My 17 with air never did despite being longer, the air suspension compensated for the load.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: CA
My driveway is not steep. I don’t actually know which type of suspension is on the car as I purchased it used. As an aside, is there a way to look up that info using VIN? I do know that it came with Comfort Package, but that’s the extent of it.
Unsure if you have an extended warranty or the warranty that they give out on certain cars for 60 days. If it is the 60 day one, I recommend that you take your car to a Certified Lexus Dealer and get an inspection. Have them (Autonation) fix everything that is included in the report that is covered under that warranty within the timeframe, there are some exclusions so make sure what is covered. I too purchased a 2010 LS460 from them about a year ago and found my front suspension shot (control arms) and all brakes and rotors were bad at 60k miles at the time of purchase at a Autonation dealer. It took some time of being firm and professional for them to fix it. Just a big hassle considering that they have a 150 point. inspection.
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Driver School Candidate
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From: CA
The "problem" has been identified to be lower profile tires. The suspension was inspected and found to be in proper order so I just need to drive slower when going over bumps and into driveways. My Lexus LS430 definately had a smoother suspension also and I could take big speed bumps at high speeds without it blinking an eye. Can't do that on the 460.
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Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: CA
18" wheel. Tire size is 235/50 r18 97w. The tires themselves measure approximately 3" between ground and rim, so definitely not like the balloons that I had on my LS430.
I don't have air shocks on the vehicle that I am aware of. Usually there is a setting to adjust that in the vehicle somewhere if they exist?
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From: Maryland
What size wheels did you have on your LS430?
The tires on the 18" LS460 wheels aren't low profile, they're 50 series tires which are pretty tall sidewalls. An LS430 on 17s has 55 series sidewalls on 225 width tires, the LS460 has 50 series sidewalls on 235 width tires, so the LS430's sidewalls were about 5 MM thicker, which isn't a whole lot. The profile of the tires won't have anything to do with you bottoming out over speed bumps air driveway aprons either.
You're also running W series speed rated tires. I would replace those with a V rated tire that is known to ride well, like the Pirelli Cinturato P7 Plus.
I had an LS430 too, the LS460 is a little firmer with the coil suspension, but its not a dramatic difference at all.
The tires on the 18" LS460 wheels aren't low profile, they're 50 series tires which are pretty tall sidewalls. An LS430 on 17s has 55 series sidewalls on 225 width tires, the LS460 has 50 series sidewalls on 235 width tires, so the LS430's sidewalls were about 5 MM thicker, which isn't a whole lot. The profile of the tires won't have anything to do with you bottoming out over speed bumps air driveway aprons either.
You're also running W series speed rated tires. I would replace those with a V rated tire that is known to ride well, like the Pirelli Cinturato P7 Plus.
I had an LS430 too, the LS460 is a little firmer with the coil suspension, but its not a dramatic difference at all.
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