Hey all,
I'm finding a whole lot of useful stuff on here...it's a live service knowledge base unlike anything else. Might as well intro and try to mix in.
Got a pretty good deal on an '05 LX470 in gray with 246k back in July for only 4,300. Body condition would be somewhere between 8-8.5. Frame had surface rust with no visible structural damage but the vehicle had almost no steering. I took a chance and bought it and seeing steering is better at higher speeds, took an even bigger chance and drove it 25 miles home.
Upon closer inspection and messing around, here's the list of surprises I found:
• No steering...but knew from beginning - replaced rack, pump + reservoir...95% fixed
• Doors lock only, both switches and key fob. - replaced driver cabin junction box/ecu. fixed.
• Liftgate pretty badly rusted by handle and license plate lights - need to do
• Outer liftgate handle missing and inner mechanisms are broken - replaced inner + outer handle. fixed.
• Steering reservoir screen is punctured - replaced.
• Mismatched tires - picked up a pretty new used set of Michelins for almost nothing
• Driver seat switch buttons loose...doesn't work - replaced with seat switch from ebay. fixed
• Steering Wheel doesn't tilt - tilt motor replaced. fixed.
• After checking out door locks, speakers look torn but sound ok - need to replace eventually
• AC Fan blower sounds obnoxious and smells funky - cleaned out cabin filter (pita) and replaced blower motor. fixed.
• ABS Lights came on for a few minutes...have not been on since - need to look into
• AC did not work - made MG CLT relay accessible in my 05. ended up being unplugged pressure sensor. fixed.
• Hood + Liftgate struts were shot - both replaced. fixed.
• Rain sensor not working...auto wipers come on randomly and doesn't when it rains - sensor tape ordered. hope this is it.
• Rear defroster doesn't work - need to look into
• Power mirrors doesn't tilt/pan - replaced. fixed.
• Shock absorbers all look pretty bad...but I had plans for new shocks anyway - need to replace + diagnose whole AHC system
• Wiper blades are nasty and aftermarket - oem ordered
• Aftermarket remote starter with dangling wires under steering wheel - a few wires "fell out" during junction box swap. taped off any exposed ends and bundled/tucked it away for now.
• Some leather wear...not sure if I can fix myself - need to look into
• License plate trim (?) piece is loose on one side - need to find clips...looking into this soon.
• Sheet metal under rear bumper had a big hole rusted out - going to address this later on.
• Timing Belt - need to do this sooner rather than later.
On top of that...I just reached back out to owner a few days ago asking when the last timing belt change was...and he did not know what a timing belt was. He had the vehicle since about 70k miles according to carfax, so I'm assuming it was never done. I'm going to document repairs that I find useful to others and will post on here...second post I'll make a list with links. Will add pictures in a little bit...some of the problem items have already been addressed so pics wont reflect it.
First order of business, I ordered a new (used) power steering reservoir and flushed out the fluids. Steering improved a little bit but not much. Changed out the steering pump...improved a lot but still bad. Ended up getting a good looking used rack on eBay and found a shop to install it for under 800 including the parts. I got my steering back...but at low speeds and parking, sometimes it still feels just a tiny bit funny. I feel this is going to be a longer project than anticipated.
I'm finding a whole lot of useful stuff on here...it's a live service knowledge base unlike anything else. Might as well intro and try to mix in.
Got a pretty good deal on an '05 LX470 in gray with 246k back in July for only 4,300. Body condition would be somewhere between 8-8.5. Frame had surface rust with no visible structural damage but the vehicle had almost no steering. I took a chance and bought it and seeing steering is better at higher speeds, took an even bigger chance and drove it 25 miles home.
Upon closer inspection and messing around, here's the list of surprises I found:
• No steering...but knew from beginning - replaced rack, pump + reservoir...95% fixed
• Doors lock only, both switches and key fob. - replaced driver cabin junction box/ecu. fixed.
• Liftgate pretty badly rusted by handle and license plate lights - need to do
• Outer liftgate handle missing and inner mechanisms are broken - replaced inner + outer handle. fixed.
• Steering reservoir screen is punctured - replaced.
• Mismatched tires - picked up a pretty new used set of Michelins for almost nothing
• Driver seat switch buttons loose...doesn't work - replaced with seat switch from ebay. fixed
• Steering Wheel doesn't tilt - tilt motor replaced. fixed.
• After checking out door locks, speakers look torn but sound ok - need to replace eventually
• AC Fan blower sounds obnoxious and smells funky - cleaned out cabin filter (pita) and replaced blower motor. fixed.
• ABS Lights came on for a few minutes...have not been on since - need to look into
• AC did not work - made MG CLT relay accessible in my 05. ended up being unplugged pressure sensor. fixed.
• Hood + Liftgate struts were shot - both replaced. fixed.
• Rain sensor not working...auto wipers come on randomly and doesn't when it rains - sensor tape ordered. hope this is it.
• Rear defroster doesn't work - need to look into
• Power mirrors doesn't tilt/pan - replaced. fixed.
• Shock absorbers all look pretty bad...but I had plans for new shocks anyway - need to replace + diagnose whole AHC system
• Wiper blades are nasty and aftermarket - oem ordered
• Aftermarket remote starter with dangling wires under steering wheel - a few wires "fell out" during junction box swap. taped off any exposed ends and bundled/tucked it away for now.
• Some leather wear...not sure if I can fix myself - need to look into
• License plate trim (?) piece is loose on one side - need to find clips...looking into this soon.
• Sheet metal under rear bumper had a big hole rusted out - going to address this later on.
• Timing Belt - need to do this sooner rather than later.
On top of that...I just reached back out to owner a few days ago asking when the last timing belt change was...and he did not know what a timing belt was. He had the vehicle since about 70k miles according to carfax, so I'm assuming it was never done. I'm going to document repairs that I find useful to others and will post on here...second post I'll make a list with links. Will add pictures in a little bit...some of the problem items have already been addressed so pics wont reflect it.
First order of business, I ordered a new (used) power steering reservoir and flushed out the fluids. Steering improved a little bit but not much. Changed out the steering pump...improved a lot but still bad. Ended up getting a good looking used rack on eBay and found a shop to install it for under 800 including the parts. I got my steering back...but at low speeds and parking, sometimes it still feels just a tiny bit funny. I feel this is going to be a longer project than anticipated.
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