Hello and thank you for using just answer. Sorry to hear of your troubles.
THe dash illumination is somewhat common on the 1993-1995 LS, the printed circuit board gets seperations in the electrical contacts on the board when cold. THe only resolution here is a instrument cluster replacement and this is very expensive.
THe suspension- it sounds like your rear air shocks have blown the bags. THe parts alone for this repair are between $600-900 per side, the air shocks have always been extremenly expensive.
If you are going to keep this car and want a cheaper alternative then there is 1 other option to air suspension. ALL of these LS vehicles regardless of air suspension or standard suspension have the same suspension dimnsions an control arms. You can remove all 4 air shocks from the car and install standard struts/springs in all 4 corners. THis will cut your repair cost to a third of the other repair cost, you just won't have air suspension any longer.
Former Lexus Master technician
Master Certified with lexus, 6 years experience
Sorry to be accepting so late after your response. I stumbled onto your website late and couldn't wait any longer to hear from you. Anyway, thank you for the answer. I suspected the shocks could be replaced with a standard set. The problem is, I don't have a manual for the car. It's the only car I've ever owned that I haven't worked on. Accept oil/filter and brakes. If I decide to take this on myself, after obtaining the parts, how do I get a step by step set of instructions to do this properly?
Joe
Thank you for the reply.
You can order a manual from any auto parts store that will be a general guide or I can upload instructions to this site if you need. Thank you.
Thanks Peter. Ok, I've made some phone calls, and I think I'm down to the last question so I can make a decision... First, I called the local Napa parts store to ask about a manual. They said they couldn't get one for my car nor could they sell me a strut with a spring around it. However, the guy I was talking to brought up one issue to explore and had one recommendation... The issue was to first, investigate the lines to see if there is a leak in the system first (cheapest step). The recommendation was to go to "Strutmasters.com". I did and spoke to a salesman. For $700.00 or $175.00/ea. + instructions I could convert my car over to a coil over strut assembly as you suggested. What do you think?
(A little more background)... When the rear suspension began to fail, it was the left side only that bottomed out overnight first. And at that time upon starting the car up the left side would perk up and ride just like it always did. A week or so later is when the whole back end decided to flatten out and hasn't picked up since...
This is a typical symptom of a leaking air bag on the strut/shock itself. A line leak is highly unusual and unlikely.
If you want to keep the cost cheap have you considered getting what you need from a salvage yard?
To answer your question, no I hadn't. But I looked into it and found a salvage company called "Uneedapart", who has two struts for $225/each. The salesman claims they're
"A" grade from a Lexus that had between 70,000 to 90,000 miles!!
So if I go for these two, I will need some sort of step by step instructions. I haven't crawled up into the car to see what's involved yet.
Earlier today, you suggested to convert over to the standard strut system. Not a bad idea... No need to worry about the front struts going in the future by doing this... So it's sort of a coin toss at the moment. On one hand for $550.00 I can replace the rear air shocks for the same ones and continue to enjoy the ride I've become accustom to. The down side to this, as far as I can see, are the two airshocks in front and other componants of this system that may fail in the future!
The next choice would be to buy the conversion kit and replace all four with those Strutmasters hydraulic struts for $700.00. With no worry of associated componants failing in the future... I guess I'm fishing for an opinion but I have to admit I'm leaning toward the two air shocks for $550.00.
In your response would you please add the step by step instructions. More than likely I will probably go with the OEM air replacements...
Thanks again, Joe
Sorry I should have been more clear on this.
If you replace air shocks with standard struts/springs then you would need to repalce ALL 4. THis is due to several things that would require a 5 page explanation, long story short if you remove air shocks to install standard shocks you must replace all 4/convert all 4 at the same time.
As far as your aftermarket option.....not familiar with this, I cannot comment on that, I have never seen an "aftermarket" option for these air shocks. Yes with this age it is very likely that the other 2 are soon to fail, when ever I get one in the shop I ALWAYS replace both shocks on the same axle to avoid issues.
I had a feeling I got too wordy with my last email. I understand the difference. In short, the two choices for me are:
1- replace the two rear air shocks with two air shocks from "Uneedapart" (used parts)for $550. A straight accross replacement. Which I would like instructions from you.
2- Purchase (4) four standard strut/springs from Strutmasters (which come with instructions on how to disable the air system then install all four of their brand new strut/springs.) for $700.00.
Sorry for the confusion...
Yup.
And if you recall a couple of emails ago I was also asking for your opinion about these two choices...
My opinion, I never install aftermarket suspension on a Lexus, ESPECIALLY when it's an electronically controlled air system. I understand your situation but based on my experience with these cars if you are looking to avoid the cost of factory air shocks and don't want a repeat issue with suspension then install 4 standard struts on the car.
Sorry for the delay, it takes a long time to load large files,I have loaded the information you requested, the file os too large for this site so I loaded to a secondary server, click th link below and be sure to print or save the file:
http://www.mediafire.com/?oxdzdhqnhhw
Hello Peter,
Ok. Standard shocks is what it's going to be. However, I have one final question since I'm very confused about something you said earlier today at 5:03 pm. I copied/pasted your text:
"If you want to keep the cost cheap have you considered getting what you need from a salvage yard?"
If, as you stated in your last response, you never install aftermarket suspension on a Lexus, why did you suggest I look for a salvage yard for what I need???
A salvage yard is a junk yard, I never said anything about used parts, just aftermarket parts. Aftermarket parts are non-OEM or non Lexus brand parts. What I suggested is that you get a complete strut setup off of a compatable LS400 in a salvage yard that will have Lexus brand struts already on it.
Did you get the file from above?
Peter. Is it possible to have a conversation on the phone? Because we are having a communication breakdown. It's probably partly my fault. I had a similar experience with my human resources department for the company I work for while trying to chat online with someone from that department. And it wasn't until I was able to make a phone call that I got it resolved with-in minutes.
You're a real "Lexus expert" and live in the world of automobiles.
I'm an airline pilot who works on his own cars when time permits. Even though I'm mechanically inclinde enough to tackle most things, I don't claim to be an expert in this area!
So, I feel we've reached a crossroad with this online chat, mostly due to basic nomenclature.
If you can't talk on the phone, then I'll try one more time to clarify the one final point which I haven't mentioned in this email...
My cell phone # is XXX-XXX-XXXX.
If you would rather I call you send me your number and I would be glad to call you.
Joe- thank you for your reply. Personal contact is not allowed, it's against site rules that you and I both had to agree to in the terms and conditions when we both registered on this site. Yes in some cases here a 5 minute phone call would eliminate 12 hours or replies back and forth but this is not allowed by just answer at this point. Sorry.
Did you get the file I posted earlier?
Yes I did. Thank you.
Ok. Here goes... Early in our chat today you asked if I ever considered getting what I need from a salvage yard. I can't say I've ever gone to a salvage yard to pick through a car to look for parts before. So my impression is that when one goes to a salvage yard one finds a part from a car that was totaled, abandoned or just used up from age. And anything obtained from a salvage yard would be considered USED since it's been salvaged.
The struts I was willing to purchase from this salvage yard came off a Lexus that had somewhere between 70,000 to 90,000 miles on it for $550.00 total. So these struts would be considered Used. Not "Aftermarket".
Your final email regarding this, stated, " I never install after market suspension on a Lexus".
So I'm confused as to whether you meant to recommend I stay away from after market suspension parts or used suspension parts.
Also, I thought junk yards (salvage yards) only dealt in used parts off of used cars??
After market to me means non-OEM, brand new, just not made by the factory. In this case Lexus!
Yes you are correct in those statements. Used is ok, I personally do not recommend aftermarket parts that were not produced by lexus.
Salvage yards worj in many different ways, some are called "pick and pull" lots that have cars and require you to remove your own parts but most high end and well established yards have computerized inventory and can locate parts nation wide AND pull the parts for you. $550 sounds a little high to me but I would check a few other places. The largest and best national salvage yard is LKQ, I believe they have a website at www.lkq.com . I hope this clarifies, sorry if I confused you earlier.
Fantastic!!
Thank you.