My beloved 1997 LX450 with 287,488 miles (head gasket replaced at 285,000 cylinders still had clear cross checking, no valve or head work and runs like new, PHH, birfs x2) was finally becoming so roly poly at freeway speeds on original suspension equipment that I scraped together the cash and...
You've probably already finished the repairs, but having just finished installing the Gamiviti gears and caps in my beloved LX450 (265K) I thought I would chime in. For me the Gamiviti instructions were great, with the following comments: remember to fully raise the seat base to its highest...
Black Project 80 was correct - blown front pinion seal. Also noted that my significant engine oil leak turned out to be a worn out seal on the low oil sensor - which was a nice surprise as it was much cheaper to replace than a rear seal! So the old girl is back to leak free status and rolling...
Yeah I've had the birf soup before when I replaced both front axles, but this seems to be either gear oil or engine oil. Thick viscosity, grey and smelly - still trying to nail it down. Just need some time lol. Thanks for the post!
My beloved LX450 laid down a plate sized pool of gray/black oil (fairly thick but definitely oil and not grease) just to the right of the front differential pumpkin and a little back - say where the feet of the person in the passenger seat would be) and even had a spatter pattern around the...
Hey all, just wanted to sing the praises of Nakman some more. Have a beloved LX450 with 259,000 miles that still purrs like a kitten but both front seats jammed up and stopped in full forward position several months ago. No parts available from the dealer and well over $1k stated by dealer to...
Got the truck back from the dealership today, no charge. This is actually the third time this inner seal should have been replaced. First, when I had an independent shop replace the front left axle, it lasted several months before the seal apparently blew out causing the thick grease goop...
The dealership just called to say that it was the inner axle seal that had blown out, again. They had replaced this same part last September and so I believe they are covering this under their one year parts warranty. I passed along all of the suggestions re: clogged breather vents, etc. but...
Thanks for all of your replies. I have made notes and will pass along to dealer mechanic in two weeks. The grease is fresh, thick and green and gooping out in half dollar size dollops (just like last time). I don't know what viscous coupler or CDL are, but I like hearing different ideas about...
All good questions that I just don't have the mechanical expertise to answer. The axle was replaced by an independent shop, then when that started gushing grease I took it to the Lexus dealership (Longo) and they said they would replace the axle seal and the wiper seal, etc. but I don't think...
Hi all, I have a '97 LX450 with 210,000 miles. Replaced left front axle (birfield joint?) and new wheel bearings at around 196k. Lasted about one month before grease was gooping out all over the place under the left axle (ball wiper area). Took it to the dealership and spent 1k to have all...
I have a '97 LX450 with 208,000 miles on it. Replaced the rear seal (had to disconnect tranny, etc.), which was the main leak (still have valve cover gastket leak but no biggy) at around 192,000 for just under $1,000 at an independent shop. Dealership wanted about 1k more given all the labor...
I have a '97 LX450 with 198,000 miles. Replaced the left front axle/birfield about one year ago. About 6 months after that some type of seal must have blown because I started having globs of moly grease splattering all over the floor every night. Took it back to the shop, they repaired it...
Well, its at the shop and Dan was right, the right front wheel bearing was shot. So we're replacing both for good measure and throwing in a brake job to boot! Thanks for all the input guys!
Thanks Andrew -- that's pretty much what the mechanic said. The fluid level is still good, but I've been suspicious of the power steering unit for the last 50k miles, as the steering has gotten progressively harder and fluid level has slowly dropped, but I've always kept it full and no obvious...
Thanks for the reply Dan. I did not have the wheel bearings changed when the birf job was done. Nor do I understand the cage installation issue -- does this mean the birf job may have been done incorrectly?? Thanks for any additional info you might have.
Hi all. I've got a '97 LX450 with 171,00 very dependable miles on her. Have replaced one front axle (Birfield) already about 5k miles ago. Steering is now requiring more strength to turn the wheel, and there is a strange gear noise (sounds like a propeller airplane) starting at around 30mph...