New Owner - 03 LX470

[tomsawyer]

Hi Everyone - I wanted to introduce myself to everyone. I am the new owner of a 2003 LX 470 w/ 92K. I purchased the truck from a trade in from the original owner. This is the first Lexus product I've ever owned as I was more of a Benz/BMW guy.

First thing I did was go onto the Lexus website and was pleased to see the opportunity to get the complete service history of the truck. Seems like this truck was well maintained, serviced always at the dealer and always according to the schedule. Even the timing belt/water pump was already completed.

First thing I did was take the truck to my mechanic who happens to be a toyota master mechanic and he gave the truck a complete and thoroough analysis. Here's what he found -

• Transfer Case Leaking slightly - looks like there's a gasket leaking which seems to be no big deal.
• No A/C - he checked the system and line just under the passenger side front seat is leaked out all the refrigerant so he's going to change the line from the 2 connections (about 3 feet).
• Here's the biggie - rear shocks - there is some rust under the truck which he was not so shocked about. As a matter of fact, he said, "That's Toyota!". Anyway, the tubing for the rear shocks is crumbling apart so much so that the metal bar inside both shocks are visable (wish I took pictures while the truck was on the lift). Right now, the truck rides like a dream but I know this is something that needs to be repaired ASAP. I got a price of $480 for the shocks and 250 to install. Or, he suggested converting the entire system to a "regular" setup thus avoiding the accumulator issue I may be facing down the road. What are your thoughts?
• Steering wheel is off center - last time this truck was in for service, the previous owner put on new tires and did a wheel alignment. However, now the steering wheel is noticably not centered. Is this the issue with the VGRS calibration? If so, is this something that can only be remedied at the dealer? Also, should wheel alignments only be done at the dealer? They say the BMW X5 should only be aligned at the dealer but my indy did the alignment on my X5 and the thing tracks perfectly.

Thanks to all who answer!

 

[sseaman]

Congrats on purchase, there is a procedure for the steering alignment, you can pull the battery lead for a minute and you will have to reset(maybe a fuse as well) just make sure you have a straight road so it can get set correctly, if that doesn't work I guess it's off to the dealer.

 

[PADDO]

^^ that's the calibration procedure (edit: correction: initialization procedure involves jumper in fuse box and straight line driving as per tsb) you're talking about I believe, it doesn't correct the off center drift of the wheel. To recentre the steering wheel is a 5 minute job in techstream (have done it many times).
OP, do yourself a favor and get yourself a copy of techstream and mini vci so you can do the "dealer" maintenance and personalized settings at home.
If your rear shock actuator sleeves have corroded badly you can fab sleeves (think pvc pipe and spring clamps) to cover the actuator shaft or probably pick up perfectly serviceable take offs for not much more than the cost of shipping.