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Edward Salem
TryHard
SA
Aristo 3.0V TT

Posts: 382
Reg: 01-2007

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Monday, February 01, 2010 - 01:48 am, by:  Edward Salem (Sydeward) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

hey guys found a local LS400 for sale with air suspension issues.

considering purchasing the vehicle however I would like to know what im getting into first.

Had a read around, theres pretty much hundreds of threads on the issue, but didnt really find the answer I was after...

What im hoping someone knows is,
how much 4x LS400 springs might cost second hand + fitting, and if SC400 / Soarer TT / Aristo TT springs can be fitted to an LS400 with little work?

thinking about getting the car, pretty much looking for the cheapest fix available, springs should ride well enough for my needs.

cheers
Mat Shiels
Tinkerer
VIC
V8

Posts: 8
Reg: 01-2010

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Monday, February 01, 2010 - 08:20 am, by:  Mat Shiels (Smokeyvip) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

G'day mate,

you will find that the air-suspension, while great in it's day, is now just a headache waiting to happen for many owners. Most will advise you to just pull the air gear out and replace with a steel spring setup, or coilovers.

Depending what the problem is your options are:

a) replace the bags, Arnott's Industries supplies direct fit replacements at a cost, and their reputation is a bit patchy. Or Toyota can supply you new genuine bags for about $1250-1500 a corner. Ouch.

b) pull the air-sus out, and replace with stock struts and springs. The struts are completely different so you need to replace the whole assembly, not just put springs in.

c) buy some coilovers. Either second hand off Yahoo Japan, or new - either way. Or you can source some from the states, Megan Racing or Ksport. Or you can get some locally still from HSD, D2 or G4 which are cheap, but cheap quality.

But, you should probably tell us what the actual problem is....whether it's a height control issue, or if the bag's are leaking. But in short, if I were buying an air-sus celsior, i'd be budgeting to replace the suspension.
Edward Salem
TryHard
SA
Aristo 3.0V TT

Posts: 384
Reg: 01-2007

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Monday, February 01, 2010 - 02:52 pm, by:  Edward Salem (Sydeward) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)


Mat Shiels wrote on Monday, February 01, 2010 - 08:20 am:

But, you should probably tell us what the actual problem is....whether it's a height control issue, or if the bag's are leaking. But in short, if I were buying an air-sus celsior, i'd be budgeting to replace the suspension.




waiting for the guy to call back.

apparently the back of the car is flat on its arse...

so probably looking at replacing all 4 corners with struts and springs. didnt the ls400 come out with a spring strut assembly too? therefore couldnt the parts just be sourced second hand from a local wrecker?
Mat Shiels
Tinkerer
VIC
V8

Posts: 10
Reg: 01-2010

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Monday, February 01, 2010 - 03:33 pm, by:  Mat Shiels (Smokeyvip) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yeh, the steel spring/struts from a local delivered LS400 could be dropped straight in.

And there are some UCF11's that were imported without air suspension too, although most were on air.

My advice though would be to just throw in some coilovers rather than a set of 20yr old shot shocks and springs. No point in spending your money twice.

Factor it into the asking price, and negotiate down from there.

Then again, you could be lucky and a reset of the system might bring it back to level and he just hasn't worked it out yet ;-) don't want to get your hopes up though!
Daniel Lee
Goo Roo
Victoria
Soarer GT Limited UZZ31 V8

Posts: 2091
Reg: 07-2005

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Monday, February 01, 2010 - 07:49 pm, by:  Daniel Lee (Son_gokou) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

You can also get the Lexus LS-400 Coil Spring Conversion Kit from Arnott.

http://www.arnottindustries.com/part_LEXUS_Air_Suspension_Parts_yid7_pid46.html
Edward Salem
TryHard
SA
Aristo 3.0V TT

Posts: 385
Reg: 01-2007

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Monday, February 01, 2010 - 11:19 pm, by:  Edward Salem (Sydeward) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

thanks guys will keep you up to date if anything happens

cheers
Mark Tierney
TryHard
NSW
Soarer GTT, Celsior, Duc

Posts: 388
Reg: 09-2005

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Tuesday, February 02, 2010 - 06:46 am, by:  Mark Tierney (Mark_t) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I've had the Megan racing coilovers in the Celsior for over 6 months now.
Ride height is perfect, handling is a million times better & ride is great...actually better than the old airbags. Just make sure the spring rates you order aren't too hard. The megans come in with a VIP set option designed for luxury rides as opposed to track monsters (although harder rates are available). Megan are great to talk to and I'd recommend you look at these. Many proven installation cases on
www.clublexus.com.
BTW. I have a 45 degree slope on my drive and I experience no problems getting in or out after lowering.
Edward Salem
TryHard
SA
Aristo 3.0V TT

Posts: 386
Reg: 01-2007

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Tuesday, February 02, 2010 - 02:55 pm, by:  Edward Salem (Sydeward) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Mark, were the aftermarket springs difficult or expensive to install?
Mark Tierney
TryHard
NSW
Soarer GTT, Celsior, Duc

Posts: 389
Reg: 09-2005

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Tuesday, February 02, 2010 - 05:48 pm, by:  Mark Tierney (Mark_t) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

We just took the air struts out & replaced with the Megans. About 1.5 hours a corner, or under an hour per corner for a mechanic with a hoist. Luckily I have a mate with a hoist.
From memory, the Megans were about US$900 for the set & I think the spring rates for the VIPs were 12 front 18 rear. I'll try & find the paperwork.
Was about US$180 to ship here.
If you were in Sydney Id take you for a run.
Aaron Mead
Goo Roo
NT
Celsior 1UZ-FE Mines, JZZ30 1.5JZ-GTE To4z

Posts: 2737
Reg: 03-2006

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Tuesday, February 02, 2010 - 08:06 pm, by:  Aaron Mead (Aaron) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Edward, if you like the airbag suspension, then budget 3k for all the undercarriage suspension parts. This is 4 airbags, and most of the bushes that need replacing.

Ideally, a celsior with clean interior, and really good paint is what you should be after. Always budget for suspension work, these puppies need lots of TLC after 20 years.

Once you replace the airbags, contol arm bushes, steering rack bushes, trans and engine mounts, the differnce is chalk and cheese, and the parts replaced are good for another 20 years.


RB toyota in NZ is the place to get your bits from. Otherwise, Toyolex in USA. Forget about local stealerships. AU$1500 for one airbag? Try AU$490 plus shipping from NZ.
James Paton
Tinkerer
NSW
Celsior V8

Posts: 9
Reg: 12-2009

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Wednesday, February 03, 2010 - 06:55 am, by:  James Paton (Mys013) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Where can you get the megans from? I currently have coilovers in my 90 Celsior and they are too harsh for a cruiser I think. What are the spring rates available and are they noisy?
Mark Tierney
TryHard
NSW
Soarer GTT, Celsior, Duc

Posts: 390
Reg: 09-2005

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Wednesday, February 03, 2010 - 07:25 am, by:  Mark Tierney (Mark_t) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Have a look at this earlier link I created. There are references to Megan Racing, the write-ups in
www.clublexus.com & also "lsd_motorsports" store on Ebay.
http://soarercentral.com/sc-forum/messages/4570/295015.html
I did check out the other options of KSports & Strutmasters, but the Megans won hands down. There are plenty of installs discussed on ClubLexus. You should read about them, a few from the moderators as well.
The car dropped a few more mm as it settled in the first 2 months. I also had a slight squeak for the first month that disappeared after they settled.
Megan will do any spring rate required, but LSD_Motorsports on Ebay had the LS400 LP (Luxury Performance) Megans in stock & so I went with them. Their service & pricing was excellent, as was delivery time of 4 days from order. Drop them a note & I'm sure they can get them in.
Many of the other solutions were 10 front & 12 rear, that are way too harsh & will spoil your ride.
Let me know if you'd like any more info.
Mat Shiels
Tinkerer
VIC
V8

Posts: 14
Reg: 01-2010

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Wednesday, February 03, 2010 - 09:41 pm, by:  Mat Shiels (Smokeyvip) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

here you go edward. i have no idea if they're still available, but you should get in touch and see if he can help you out.

http://soarercentral.com/sc-forum/messages/292/308446.html?1264232580
Edward Salem
TryHard
SA
Aristo 3.0V TT

Posts: 390
Reg: 01-2007

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Wednesday, February 03, 2010 - 10:31 pm, by:  Edward Salem (Sydeward) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)


Mat Shiels wrote on Wednesday, February 03, 2010 - 09:41 pm:

here you go edward. i have no idea if they're still available, but you should get in touch and see if he can help you out.




Mat, thanks for that buddy

need a car to throw em on, although ill be checking out that one i mentioned soon!
Scott Faulks
Tinkerer
SA
UFC11

Posts: 7
Reg: 09-2008

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Thursday, February 04, 2010 - 10:52 pm, by:  Scott Faulks (Faulksy) Quote hilighted text Edit Post Delete Post Print Post   View Post/Check IP (Moderator/Admin Only) Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

When I bought my Celsior it had been switched from bags to springs. However the previous owner botched the job. The rear springs weren't even Celsior. No idea what type of springs they were but not right

The springs had been cut and all the rear bushes were rooted. I was aware the bushes were screwed and needed suspension all round

Can't help you with labour costs but parts costs I can:
- front and rear lowered king springs $127.50 and $110
- KYB front and rear shocks $285 and $235

I'm no aware of any interchangables with SC400, Soarer TT and Aristo TT but either the rear or front strut mounts are identical to JZA-80. However I doubt you would need to replace these. I only needed as whoever did the last suspension did some strange cutting and welding of the previous air mount strut mounts that didn't at all look roadworthy so they were changed over

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