kamran2020

I just purchased 2003 Lexus GX470 with 185K miles on it. The guy I purchased it from had no records of any previous service. Car runs smooth and no issues so far but I am thinking about getting up to date with service like TB change and WP replaced. Anything else I need to replace at this time?

coachstu

What is TB and what is WP? Those things aside, I just bought an 03 with 170,000 with sketchy records as well. The first thing I did was change oil, both differential oils and Transfer case. I also lubed the drive shaft, and siphoned out some of the old Power steering and brake fluid (not a full change or flush). I need to pack the wheel bearings and a coolant change in October and I think I'm good. My transmission oil still looks good, but I'm almost certain it has never been changed so I'm not sure what to do about that.

dblshock

Carfax might have some service info...how long did this guy own it? amazon has a TB/WP OE kit cheap. good place to start... after may consider suspension updates.

coachstu

Ok, TB is timing belt. For those of you that don't know, there is a way to get the Carfax service records for free. You sign up for a Carfax account, and then go to "my car maintenance" and "track your car's maintenance". You can add a car by entering your VIN number. and that will give you access to any service records on your car. It costs nothing. It will not tell you about damage reports or any of the other stuff a carfax report tells you,

IanB2

TB = timing belt, WP = water pump, easiest to do both at the same time. Coolant flush at the same time is a great idea.

I don't believe you can repack the wheel bearings on these trucks as they are sealed units.

All fluids and filters is a great place to start when baselining, including cabin air filter as they get nasty.

coachstu

Not saying you're incorrect, but my Carfax shows my wheel bearings were repacked as part of the 90,000 mile service. If you're correct, the first owner of this vehicle was ripped off.

kamran2020

I was able to get a few of the service records from the owner finally, these are the details.
Date Records Miles
3/8/2015 Shifter service 152906
4/15/2015 Parts _
4/16/2015 Oil change, battery replaced, All fluids replaced, Transmission shifter replaced, AC compressor replaced, 152940
4/21/2015 Parts _
10/6/2015 Break service 157226
2/15/2016 Tires and realignment _
12/10/2016 Oil and filter replaced 166896
12/30/2016 Transmission fluid replaced, filter replaced, new gasket, Shift solenoid replaced, 166077
1/16/2017 A/C relay replaced 167314
3/5/2017 Battery replaced 167110
6/12/2017 Spark plugs and ignition coil 169164
5/15/2018 Oil change and Air filter replaced _
10/18/2018 Oil change, tire rotation, tire replaced, alignment 175770
3/8/2019 Break service, wheel bearing, wheel hub, 178244

coachstu

Looks like your in good shape. I would definitely get that TB and WP changed ASAP. Also, if indeed these trucks require repacking of wheel bearings, I'd do that ASAP too. Otherwise, most every other upgrade is optional. Personally, I would not do a spring coil conversion until your current suspension starts to fail. You're going to spend enough money of the TB and WP.

Lexus4321

Front hubs use a roller bearing, but if you remove the cv shaft you can 1) replace that hub seal and 2) add a little correct synthetic gear oil inside the hub and that will eventually work into the ball bearings. I leave a small puddle in the hub before putting cv axle back in, etc.

Or, that bearing can be pressed out/in, etc.

chiph9

Tire rotation should happen with every oil change (5k miles) to get the most life out of them.

If you didn't get the owner's manual(s), they're available on the drivers.lexus.com site. You should enter your VIN and contact info there, so they can notify you in case there's ever a recall.

Chip H.

Lexus4321

Noooooooo. 5k oil changes are toast these days. I can almost guarantee that 99.8% of all of the GX's out there can run a Valvoline full-synth (or the like) with an oil change every 6mo regardless of miles. My Blackstone tests verify it. I actually switch grades for summer & winter (5w30 for winter, 10w30 for summer). Choosing the grades depends on some factors, but I am at 217k miles now and no issues are showing up in oil tests, and no issues with the motor. Valves have gotten a bit louder since 2006, and my injectors need a rebuild, but otherwise all is good.

Rotating tires at 5k intervals? Overkill.

chiph9

It's in the GX470 service guide.
And for the typical owner, it's a good compromise between doing it too often (like the 3k mile interval that some places still recommend...) and a sludged-up engine.

Chip H.

Lexus4321

This motor will not sludge using quality full-synth oil. But share some pics if you have 'em.
1st gen GX, do you really care what the service manual says (unless you bought some warranty or something) ?
Overkill on replacing fluids and such can't hurt, your $$, spend it any way you like.

How many have dumped the trans pan and replaced filter and put new oil back in? I have done mine twice, but the manual does not show that, so should you not do it?

ALAN553

Amsoil oil changes yearly for the past 20 years...my 2004 was sold with 200K, ran perfect, never added oil. Good synthetics easily goo for a year or 25 K

dblshock

my routine on the 4.7 and 4.0 is M1 0/40 10k (one of the best common oils), Fram Ultra XG3614 20k...The 4.7 is especially easy on oil without a timing chain to beat the snot out of it.