Topic: What did you do to your car today?

[ktm525]

First gen LS FTW!

More of a classic/hobby car than a daily driver by now. Plain age gets to a lot of components.

How so? I have a buddy who dailies a  late eighties C/K pickup.   

Hoses, rubber, gaskets - anything plastic / rubber dries. Simple maintenance, but it adds up on a dd.

It does but it slowly gets replaced over time. Keep the rust at bay and vehicles last a long long time for not much $$$. Vehicle reliability is what sewered the auto industry, you don't make big $$ selling KTM a car every 20 years. 

[Firm]

First gen LS FTW!

More of a classic/hobby car than a daily driver by now. Plain age gets to a lot of components.

How so? I have a buddy who dailies a  late eighties C/K pickup.   

Hoses, rubber, gaskets - anything plastic / rubber dries. Simple maintenance, but it adds up on a dd.

It does but it slowly gets replaced over time. Keep the rust at bay and vehicles last a long long time for not much $$$. Vehicle reliability is what sewered the auto industry, you don't make big $$ selling KTM a car every 20 years. 

If one was inclined, you could probably replace every piece of rubber on a late 80's C/K truck in your driveway for less than it costs to replace the electronic rear hatch motor on a CX-5. Lots of 80's and 90's stuff still doing daily duty in southern climates

[rrocket]

The LS (post Gen1) has expensive air suspension issues, from what we've read here.

Not really. They are just expensive to replace.

I had one (just one) fail at approx. 200,000 kms...not a terribly unreasonable lifespan for a shock of any type IMO.

Lexus remains a perennial gold standard of automotive reliability.

[TheHire]

Hehe, so we spent $2500 on an extended warranty that includes coverage on all the 'luxury' features when we bought the car. This will be covered, minus a $100 deductible.  Other inclusions are the auto climate control, infotainment screen, driving assists,etc. On top of all the usual powertrain stuff.

 

We did the same thing with the RX when we got it, mostly as it was our first modern vehicle with all the gizmos and it was coming off warranty fairly quickly. Paid for itself as well when the radio died. Looks like it might come in handy if our hatch ever gives trouble

Have to say for me that I wish power hatches (and pano roofs) were always optional

Whoah whoah whoah, back up... A Lexus had a dead radio?  What happened to the relentless pursuit of perfection? Or is the LS only?

The LS (post Gen1) has expensive air suspension issues, from what we've read here. Friend's Gen2 RX was an overall lemon. IS and ES are the sure bets these days.

Nah... the air isn't the problem, and not on LS 430s anyway, which is the third generation car. The fourth-gen (LS 460 which I have extensive experience in) is by far the least reliable (and best to drive, IMHO) variant, but the issues aren't the air suspension. It's the front control arms on AWD cars and the sheer cost to replace them, and the electronic brake actuator modules.

[rrocket]

Hehe, so we spent $2500 on an extended warranty that includes coverage on all the 'luxury' features when we bought the car. This will be covered, minus a $100 deductible.  Other inclusions are the auto climate control, infotainment screen, driving assists,etc. On top of all the usual powertrain stuff.

 

We did the same thing with the RX when we got it, mostly as it was our first modern vehicle with all the gizmos and it was coming off warranty fairly quickly. Paid for itself as well when the radio died. Looks like it might come in handy if our hatch ever gives trouble

Have to say for me that I wish power hatches (and pano roofs) were always optional

Whoah whoah whoah, back up... A Lexus had a dead radio?  What happened to the relentless pursuit of perfection? Or is the LS only?

The LS (post Gen1) has expensive air suspension issues, from what we've read here. Friend's Gen2 RX was an overall lemon. IS and ES are the sure bets these days.

Nah... the air isn't the problem, and not on LS 430s anyway, which is the third generation car. The fourth-gen (LS 460 which I have extensive experience in) is by far the least reliable (and best to drive, IMHO) variant, but the issues aren't the air suspension. It's the front control arms on AWD cars and the sheer cost to replace them, and the electronic brake actuator modules.

Would love a 2016-2017

[BWII]

Yesterday - had the Bilsteins installed.  Wife says it drives firmer...and it skips over railway tracks (did before too - guess she didn't notice before. Have to drive it myself when I get a chance and see how it feels).  I imagine it should be stiffer being they're new and not 11 yrs old.  Also said it feels like the back end is higher.  Not sure, never (ever) done shocks on a truck before (never had one long enough) - would it lift the back end up?  Shouldn't...what do I know.  I'm thinking it should be nicer pulling the camper if it's a little firmer.  We'll see if Northernridge was right about them smoothing out washboard.  Maybe he was a shill for Bilstein. 

Also replaced one caliper that was sticking, both sides rear pads (fronts were still over 50% so they stayed), one front lower control arm with a wiggly ball joint, rear diff fluids...rotated the tires (they're off - why not guys? Hope that didn't cost extra lol)...might be it.  Find out when I get the bill I guess.

[KD]

Had to replace the battery in the Frontier again.  Battery was just under 1 year old.  Dummy me drained it by leaving the accessory key on over night and it wouldn't take a charge afterward.  Put the Noco charger on it for almost 2 days and nogo.  Anyway, Costco came good for a full refund and the same replacement was actually $4 cheaper than last time.    No replacement drama on this old beast.  Just have to set the clock afterward and that's it. 

[EV Dan]

Yesterday - had the Bilsteins installed.  Wife says it drives firmer...and it skips over railway tracks (did before too - guess she didn't notice before. Have to drive it myself when I get a chance and see how it feels).  I imagine it should be stiffer being they're new and not 11 yrs old.  Also said it feels like the back end is higher.  Not sure, never (ever) done shocks on a truck before (never had one long enough) - would it lift the back end up?  Shouldn't...what do I know.  I'm thinking it should be nicer pulling the camper if it's a little firmer.  We'll see if Northernridge was right about them smoothing out washboard.  Maybe he was a shill for Bilstein. 

Also replaced one caliper that was sticking, both sides rear pads (fronts were still over 50% so they stayed), one front lower control arm with a wiggly ball joint, rear diff fluids...rotated the tires (they're off - why not guys? Hope that didn't cost extra lol)...might be it.  Find out when I get the bill I guess.

I recall installing yellow-blue Billseins on the rear axle of my FJ cruiser. It then felt much better than stock - the "jumpiness" of the axle has noticeably decreased and the truck would soak up road bumps and holes better as well. There was no change in ride height. It's just the truck felt more premium. IIRC Billsteins were a factory option on some trim, like a TRD or something like it.

[blur911]

Had to replace the battery in the Frontier again.  Battery was just under 1 year old.  Dummy me drained it by leaving the accessory key on over night and it wouldn't take a charge afterward.  Put the Noco charger on it for almost 2 days and nogo.  Anyway, Costco came good for a full refund and the same replacement was actually $4 cheaper than last time.    No replacement drama on this old beast.  Just have to set the clock afterward and that's it.

I've seen where a smart charger won't cycle and charge a battery, but put it on a dumb charger for an hour and then the smart one can take over.  Doesn't matter if it has warranty though, get a new battery

[jamie1]

Had to replace the battery in the Frontier again.  Battery was just under 1 year old.  Dummy me drained it by leaving the accessory key on over night and it wouldn't take a charge afterward.  Put the Noco charger on it for almost 2 days and nogo.  Anyway, Costco came good for a full refund and the same replacement was actually $4 cheaper than last time.    No replacement drama on this old beast.  Just have to set the clock afterward and that's it.

I've seen where a smart charger won't cycle and charge a battery, but put it on a dumb charger for an hour and then the smart one can take over.  Doesn't matter if it has warranty though, get a new battery

Was just going to post the same thing.

[BWII]

Well...that hurts.  But...it's probably not unreasonable...    Not sure the truck needed ceramic brake pads...

[TheHire]

Hehe, so we spent $2500 on an extended warranty that includes coverage on all the 'luxury' features when we bought the car. This will be covered, minus a $100 deductible.  Other inclusions are the auto climate control, infotainment screen, driving assists,etc. On top of all the usual powertrain stuff.

 

We did the same thing with the RX when we got it, mostly as it was our first modern vehicle with all the gizmos and it was coming off warranty fairly quickly. Paid for itself as well when the radio died. Looks like it might come in handy if our hatch ever gives trouble

Have to say for me that I wish power hatches (and pano roofs) were always optional

Whoah whoah whoah, back up... A Lexus had a dead radio?  What happened to the relentless pursuit of perfection? Or is the LS only?

The LS (post Gen1) has expensive air suspension issues, from what we've read here. Friend's Gen2 RX was an overall lemon. IS and ES are the sure bets these days.

Nah... the air isn't the problem, and not on LS 430s anyway, which is the third generation car. The fourth-gen (LS 460 which I have extensive experience in) is by far the least reliable (and best to drive, IMHO) variant, but the issues aren't the air suspension. It's the front control arms on AWD cars and the sheer cost to replace them, and the electronic brake actuator modules.

Would love a 2016-2017

I have a line on one... I hand-picked it for my uncle in Florida a couple years ago. It's a '17 black/black F-Sport with air ride, RWD and every possible option. Thing has like 30,000 miles on it now. Uncle wants one last "fun car" so loosely shopping Panamera Sport Turismos... the deal is that I get his Lexus for virtually free. No idea what I'd do with it, but it'd probably be a great replacement for my mom's ultra-low mileage '09 AWD.

[bridgecity]

Yesterday - had the Bilsteins installed.  Wife says it drives firmer...and it skips over railway tracks (did before too - guess she didn't notice before. Have to drive it myself when I get a chance and see how it feels).  I imagine it should be stiffer being they're new and not 11 yrs old.  Also said it feels like the back end is higher.  Not sure, never (ever) done shocks on a truck before (never had one long enough) - would it lift the back end up?  Shouldn't...what do I know.  I'm thinking it should be nicer pulling the camper if it's a little firmer.  We'll see if Northernridge was right about them smoothing out washboard.  Maybe he was a shill for Bilstein. 

Also replaced one caliper that was sticking, both sides rear pads (fronts were still over 50% so they stayed), one front lower control arm with a wiggly ball joint, rear diff fluids...rotated the tires (they're off - why not guys? Hope that didn't cost extra lol)...might be it.  Find out when I get the bill I guess.

Must be a 2013 Ford feature  .  I didn't have any skip even on the wore out ones with 250k.  On a side note, back in 2010 or so used to drive a Chevy Colorado once in a while for work.  That thing was scary crossing angled tracks.

Any feedback from yourself yet on the ride of the Bilsteins?  You notice a difference?  Based on your invoice the shop was very reasonable with the time.  Rear pads and caliper seem a bit lengthy but pretty minor when you look at everything else.

[BWII]

Funny enough, I haven't even driven it yet, so all I got is her saying "nothing's different" - but then she's got about as much mechanical sympathy as a goat.  She only knows the tire is low because the truck says it's low.   

[rrocket]

Hehe, so we spent $2500 on an extended warranty that includes coverage on all the 'luxury' features when we bought the car. This will be covered, minus a $100 deductible.  Other inclusions are the auto climate control, infotainment screen, driving assists,etc. On top of all the usual powertrain stuff.

 

We did the same thing with the RX when we got it, mostly as it was our first modern vehicle with all the gizmos and it was coming off warranty fairly quickly. Paid for itself as well when the radio died. Looks like it might come in handy if our hatch ever gives trouble

Have to say for me that I wish power hatches (and pano roofs) were always optional

Whoah whoah whoah, back up... A Lexus had a dead radio?  What happened to the relentless pursuit of perfection? Or is the LS only?

The LS (post Gen1) has expensive air suspension issues, from what we've read here. Friend's Gen2 RX was an overall lemon. IS and ES are the sure bets these days.

Nah... the air isn't the problem, and not on LS 430s anyway, which is the third generation car. The fourth-gen (LS 460 which I have extensive experience in) is by far the least reliable (and best to drive, IMHO) variant, but the issues aren't the air suspension. It's the front control arms on AWD cars and the sheer cost to replace them, and the electronic brake actuator modules.

Would love a 2016-2017

I have a line on one...

I'm jealous already!!

[Firm]

Long weekend here, splitting my time between a couple house projects and some car stuff. Today, on the car side, I replace the A/C condenser in the Green Firebird; AC was dead when we got the car, I recharged it and it didn't even last 24 hours, so a fairly big leak. Couldn't see anything with the UV light, but using an electronic 'freon sniffer' I got a hit near the top of condenser.

Job wasn't that bad, worst part was someone had installed an aftermarket auxiliary trans cooler that was in the way so had to be removed first, gave the rad fins a good cleaning too while I was in there.

Temp today was around 90F, but feeling like 101F, so AC repairs felt like the right thing to do  I was very grateful for this shady area to work in.

[Woodrow]

Brings to mind the term “shade tree mechanic”

 

[Firm]

Well, it was good for 2 days, today, no A/C at all. Got the old UV light going and now the compressor is soaked, and I had thoroughly inspected it prior to doing the condenser, so I can only assume that the pressure from usage, with the fresh condenser flowing properly, blew out the seals in the compressor, or something like that. Oh well, old car life......

Unfortunately the compressor looks like a real pita to change, will need to have it on the lift and plan for a full day of cursing...

[rrocket]

.

Unfortunately the compressor looks like a real pita to change, will need to have it on the lift and plan for a full day of cursing...

Yuck.

I remember jobs like that.

Am glad I'm too old to tackle them these days!

I'll raise my glass to you tonight!

[Firm]

yeah, irritating. I'll get it done though, I am determined to have cold air, lol. We've actually been using the car quite a bit because it's a ton of fun....but not when it's 100F out and there's no AC.