tony808

Anybody else own a es250 and how did you fix your trunk hinge problem? Does anybody have any clue why my radio works fine but the cd player won't recognize that a cd is in it? Is it because it's old? Is still the stock pioneer one. I plan on replacing it with a new cd player later.

LeX2K

I'm not sure why the trunk hinges go bad, maybe part of the hinge bends or something wears out? I'm guessing if you pulled the hinge off it would be pretty obvious. On the stereo, yea just replace it with a modern unit. There is plenty of room for a double din stereo, you could probably even put a small external amp down there in place of the original. Get a unit with a front USB port, there is really no place to put an external USB port, unless you don't mind a cable flapping around.

The speakers are made by Pioneer and are better than the Fujitsu Ten ones in the Camry, but if you go aftermarket you should replace the speakers as well. A modern stereo will probably over drive the factory speakers and you'll have little to no bass response. Be very careful removing the wood trim around the stereo, the clips at the top like to break, or worse the bezel could crack.

If you want to stick with the original factory type look, a newer in dash CD changer from a Solara or Avalon will work nicely, the cut off year is around 2002, after that the form factor could give you problems.

BTW you can't buy the hinges from Lexus anymore the part is obsolete, a shame.

tony808

Thanks for the info. I might just get a aftermarket universal hinge that I saw online. I doubt drilling the rivets out and replacing it with a small bolt and washers would work

Stereorob

I was wondering about this myself

90slexus

Yo, whats good! How's the ES250 treating you? I just joined the club and am loving the whip! I have a 1990 Es250 with 129k miles

franbev

My ES250 has those trunk support rods on each side. Sadly, they're both worn out and when I source replacements the search says "NR". Not required? Were some ES250s equipped with the support rods in the trunk? Is it because the factory trunk mounted spoiler needs extra support?