I have a question in regards to two things I notice with my 92 SC400 that I just dont feel too good about.

1) When I put the car in gear (R, D, etc.) with my foot on the brake as I am shifting to and from (automatic transmission of course), I feel that the tail of the car sink down. When I put the car back into either Neutral or Park, the tail feels to pick/lift up. Is this normal?

2) As I drive my car around town and on freeways, I dont seem to get that "Lexus" feel out of the steering wheel as I would assume. Never before owning a Lexus, I cant really compare, but previously owning a Toyota Camry (1993), my SC doesnt really give me that secure and crisp feeling I would expect out of a "Lexus" as the simpler Toyota did. Example being, as Im driving on the freeway, maybe on a curve, and changing lanes; as I go over the intermittent road lane reflectors, my car seems to suddenly crab, jerk, or jump over them on its own causing me to suddenly oversteer or understeer (not sure which is which) to mildly correct the steering control. In comparison with the Camry and based on this road feel it gives, it would seem as if the SC is by far more like a light weight Tercel with overinflatted and hard tires, as opposed to the Camry which felt more heavier and gave good road feedback while allowing proper driver control. Once again... my thing is that this just doesnt feel like what I think a "Lexus" would feel like. Anyone else have the same issue?

As for my suspension set up, it is completely stock, never been lowered, and all my tires are properly inflatted. Which by the way, tires are still stock size (new 18" wheels are currently in the works ). In short... the car is COMPLETELY stock.

Thanks everyone!!!

 

1) Try replacing the transmission mount.

2) Check your lower control arm bushings, alignment, steering rack bushings...

 

Number one is perfectly normal. While the car isn't a speed demon by any stretch of the imagination. It does still put down close to 200 lb/ft of torque at the rear. That'll cause ANY rear wheel drive car to "sit" a bit when put in gear.



Number 2, as stated, front control arm bushings (predominently lower), and the streering rack bushings are the normal culprits.

 

There are some brand new GS's that I drive that do that sinking motion very drastically.

 

1= normal -- nothing to fix--

2= sounds like bad suspension bushings, maybe a bad alignment, badly worn tires, or a combo of all 3.....

Check your bushings first-- just the lowers, the uppers SHOULD be fine-- even after high mileage--- very rare for the uppers to wear out-- the lowers on the other hand will make your car tramline and jerk under braking etc. etc.. (that strange groove-following phenomenon you're talking about) --

ALSO-- ball joints can do the tramlining thing too, so have them checked as well..

Buying a new set of supra lower arms for about $475 a pair will solve your balljoint and bushing issues all in one shot-- Do that and replace your front swaybar endlinks and swaybar bushings and it will drive like a new car.. (after an alignment of course) ... I would align the car with the new wheels on as well-- allignments are pretty sensitive affairs, and wider tires will amplify any problem with the alignment job, too much toe, camber, caster, etc...

Rockauto.com sells the supra front endlinks for $20 each, 94+ supra links will work on your car...

Supra LCA's-- $217.00 each --
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...95&catalogid=1