Just Joined

[2003LC]

Just joined tonight. Picked up my first LC a week ago, a 2003 that was very well kept. So far I love the LC, but I do have a few comments/questions. First, the ride was very impressive prior to adding new tires and getting an alignment. Now it seems to have a dead spot in the steering (dead center) and seems to ride a lot harsher. During the alignment, could it be they cranked up the torsion bars to bring the ride height to spec (not sure it was low to begin with)? Taking it for a long ride tomorrow, so I will have a better understanding of the nuances when I return. The tires I replaced were the OEM Dunlops, replaced them with Michelin Pilot LTX, OEM size, I have the 18 inch wheels.

Great forum, keep up the posts!

Eric

 

[DesertCruiser]

Not sure about your question, as I know very little about these so far. But, welcom to Mud......Have fun with your LC.

 

[SINCITY100]

Welcome !




I would think that the ride difference between worn factory Dunlops Vs New Michelins would be huge, and may be percieved as "harsh"..

Unless something was way out of wack , I doubt they adjusted your t-bars during the alignment, but I guess its possible


Enjoy your new ride !

.

 

[Glockenspiel]

Checked the tire pressure?

Maybe you're over-inflated...

 

[2003LC]

Checked tire pressure that next morning, 29 front, 32 back, OEM recommendation. I have a few more questions that I will post when I get back from our ride tomorrow.

Thanks

 

[DMX84]

Welcome from New Mexico.
Did Toyota do your alignment?

 

[2003LC]

Thank you.

Local Toyota dealer did the alignment and tire replacement at the same time. Just got back from a long drive and I noticed the following, any advice will be greatly appreciated:

1. LC seems to wander on the highway, constant need to correct direction when cruising at 65 mph.

2. Bumps seem to be exagerated, like the shocks are worn. Mileage is 54,000. If it is the shocks, will Toyo cover under the drive train warrantee?

No other issues I can think of. Plan to contact the dealer in the AM to see if they can take it back in to check their alignment job...

 

[e9999]

Welcome!

hang in there, you'll figure this out soon enough, esp. with all the good folks here.

 

[bofer84]

try checking the cv joints for leaks or cracked boots. This might be the cause to the rough ride and wandering on the highway. If it is this you prolly have ball joint problems, and the alinment shop might not have been able to align the castor to the right place. Just i thought, i had it happen on one of my trucks, and once i got new ball joints, it rode normal again.

 

[2003LC]

OK, will look tomorrow for wear and have dealer check when it goes back in.


Thanks for all the help!

 

[EdsCruisin]

Don't forget that most dealers keep tires underinflated to soften the ride. This is even more noticeable when you put new tires on. Hopefully you don't have any major problems with the drivetrain.

Good luck and welcome!

 

[2003LC]

Can you tell me, is the OEM 29 front, 32 rear pressure setting optimum, or should I keep it a uniform 32 all the way around?

 

[spressomon]

Welcome 2003tlc .

FYI: I run all 4 at the same psi unless we're loaded down particularly when pulling our trailer...then the back gets bumped at least 5psi. I don't remember what the weight bias is for a stock LC100...but say it is 60/40 then maybe the tire pressure should mirror? Cheap to experiment...

 

[EdsCruisin]

Personally, I agree with spresso and run all 4 at the same pressure. However, I believe 29/32 is way to soft for this beast for daily driving. But I like a firmer ride and corner harder than most. A very soft tire with lots of weight will roll farther laterally, translating into poorer handling - in my opinion. After saying all that I run my Revo's at 40 psi. When loaded and/or pulling the trailer the rears get a couple pounds more.

 

[Jim_Chow]

I run my bridgestone HT's at 32psi all around. IIRC, the weight distribution of the LC is pretty close to 50-50. 29/32 seemed a tad low to me. Since you have P-rated tires, I think those will always look flabby at the bottom even w/ 32psi compared to LT's. My guess is most people here w/ pre '03 rigs are running LT's while those w/ '03+ rigs are running p-tires. I also have 18" wheels, running p-rated tires. There are hardly any LT's made in 18", even the 275/65R18 revo's are p-tires. If you over inflate, you'll get poor tire wear. The manufacturer's recommendation using p-tires in the OEM size (give or take a few psi, not 10 psi) supposed to give you pretty even wear.

Does the vehicle pull when driving around 35mph? I would doubt your ball joints are worn w/ only 50K mi unless the PO rock crawled with it! There are some tolerances that they can adjust the caster/camber and still be "in alignment." The tech might have to tweak the alignment a little. Best is to have him ride along and show him how the car drifts.

 

[SWUtah]

I have the Michelin LTX pilots on mine and they are inflated 29 front and 32 rear and they handle great. I run on the first sport setting and it rides smooth. I would think the ride would improve with the Michelins over the dunlops, much better tire. Welcome and good luck. I would suggest you drive another LC from the dealer with the michelins on it.

 

[LXPearl]

Welcome, and the 2003 is a great choice.

My first impression on the ride with the new tires is to look at the alignment. Since Toyota did the work, they should be able to tell you how close the alignment is to ideal, not just within specs. Ask for their best alignment expert and talk to him about it.

When I replaced my tires and had concerns about the ride, it turned out the balancing was not done carefully. After two attempts at balancing, they finally got it right. I had shimmying in the ride. I had the alignment tech check it and it was fine. He told me the balancing can be less than ideal because some techs are impatient and settle for "close" on the balance. The second time they used the new machine instead of the old one.

The 29/32 is very soft - I tend to run about 35-37 evenly F/R (my LTX H-rated allow up to 44 psi). The LC/LX is close to 50/50 weight distribution, so I sometimes run the rears higher when I will be loaded down. For long trips I tend to put them at 37 before loading up.

As far as ride, I do not notice much difference between 30 and 35 psi on ride comfort. I think the 35 psi is more sporty and responsive though.

 

[2003LC]

LC went in today to the dealer to have them look at it for the highway wandering issue. Their response was that the tires were under inflated. I asked them why the label on the door says 29 front/30 rear? They advised this is only for the OEM Dunlop tires and that the Michelin's require 40 psi front and rear. I told them I thought it was BS but would give it a shot. Picked it up and it is true it no longer requires as much correction when going straight, however, it rides like my previously owned 1998 Isuzu trooper with a 2 inch lift and LT tires. I will give it a few more miles for a thorough assessment. Am I being too critical here of the ride? May go by the dealer this week to test drive a new LC to make a full comparison. They were nice enough to comp my oil change, so at least i've got that going for me, which is nice!

 

[SWUtah]

LC went in today to the dealer to have them look at it for the highway wandering issue. Their response was that the tires were under inflated. I asked them why the label on the door says 29 front/30 rear? They advised this is only for the OEM Dunlop tires and that the Michelin's require 40 psi front and rear. I told them I thought it was BS but would give it a shot. Picked it up and it is true it no longer requires as much correction when going straight, however, it rides like my previously owned 1998 Isuzu trooper with a 2 inch lift and LT tires. I will give it a few more miles for a thorough assessment. Am I being too critical here of the ride? May go by the dealer this week to test drive a new LC to make a full comparison. They were nice enough to comp my oil change, so at least i've got that going for me, which is nice!

40 psi is way over the maximum recommended by Michelin, sounds unsafe to me. I run at recommended and it rides nice, and based on the thread is correct for this size tire and truck weight, meaning the entire thread contacts the road. I would never go over the maximum recommended on the side wall of your tires, I don't care what the dealer says. I think that is 36 lbs? JMHO

 

[2003LC]

Thanks for the follow up. I have since contacted a local Lexus dealer to get a second opinion, as I believe the 18 inch Michelin is the OEM for the LX. They advised to run between 35 to 40 psi all the way around.