I have searched and couldn't find anything (probably my bad searching the wrong terms)...Is there any preventative maintenance we can do for the top mechanical operation? My works fine, just want to keep it that way as long as possible. Thanks.

 

I too would be interested in any advice on this, as my car is getting up there in years and would sure rather be preventative than reactive.

 

I took this post from TooCoolSC https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc-...-schedule.html. There may be other preventative maintenance recommendations that aren't on this list, but it's a good starting point:

Yes, just go to....

http://drivers.lexus.com/lexusdrivers/home

Touch the "My Lexus" tab with your cursor and pull down to "Vehicle Resources."

Then click on "Find Your Owner's Manual Online".

Put in your model and year and the kind of document you're looking for. You can look for the Owner's Manual, the Navigation Manual, the Maintenance Manual, or just put it on "All Documents" and it'll bring up more information than you've ever wanted to know. The Scheduled Maintenance Guide will be the first listed.

 

Thanks Redliner,

I have this account already and the owners manual and never have I found any maintenance that referances the Power Top. Maybe I'm blind???

 

Ah, oops, I misread the original question. I'm really tired today from staying up to watch the Trump Roast. So, preventative maintenance for the convertible top? That is a good question. I'm sure there are nuts to tighten and gears to lube, just don't know what exactly. I too would like to know.

 

Open the hard top half way and stop. Take a peek into the gears on both sides and make sure they are in good lubed condition and no rust.

I looked at mine (2002 April build) and all gears are in excellent condition and well lubed. Since the SC430 top is operated by electric motors, there isn't much to maintain, unlike other tops with the hydraulic system.

 

I took a look through the overhaul instructions for sliding retractable roof...other than making sure bolts and nuts are properly torqued, there isn't any real "maintenance" to be done. The FSM has precise measurements and torque amounts, but I wouldn't tamper it.

 

can you use any kind of grease? i have this high temp auto grease thats supposedly multipurpose.

 

I think it is fine to use for the gears.

 

Thanks a bunch guys...shall check it out as soon as the cover comes off! Seems like an eternity!

 

I use whilte lithium grease periodically on the moving parts I can get to. I think that I remember that Goss's Garage on Motorweek recommended this for convertible tops generally.

 

Thanks everyone for the replies, I too prefer white lithium grease and will place a bit on the hinged areas.

 

Pretty much any good metal grease will work.

I used to have a 2001 Solara convertible with 120k miles. The top never had any problems. Just kept the gears lubed. It is very reliable due to the simplicity and the electric motor mechanism.

On the other hand, my 2005 BMW 330ci convertible top hydraulic system failed at 70k miles, leaking the hydraulic fluid everywhere in the car and on the garage floor. That top has at least a dozen sensors, two electric motors, one big hydraulic pump and 3 hydraulic cylinders. It is very common to have issues with the top.