YODAONE

1993 LS400 enjoys more refined steering control and NVH isolation over uneven and washboard roads.

This is attributable to superior strut bar mounts: 1990-1990 are fluid-filled (rarely fail) vs 1995-2000 undersized solid rubber mounts requiring replacement about every 60,000 miles AND, the 1990-1994 employs a strut-like steering damper

A steering dampers primary function is to dampen or stabilize the side to side movement of the wheels in much the same way shock absorbers limiting excessive suspension movement & oscillation.

1995-2000 LS400 employs a damper inside the steering wheel to reduce NVH traveling up the steering shaft, however this is not optimal...

NVH is best addressed at the source.

So, what to do?

Am investigating whether 1990-1994 steering damper components retrofits onto 95+ LS400.

Acquired a right side inner tie rod/damper mounting bracket assembly and left side steering rack grommet bracket from a 1994 donor vehicle.

These components connect the steering damper to the frame and steering rack.

Lexus advises 1993 and 1999 LS400 right side inner tie rod are different P.N.s, which accounts for 1993 damper bracket and nut, while the left side inner tie rods share same P.N..


1990-1994 LS400 Steering damper depicted




1999 steering rack bracket on left, 1993 on right. The 1999 bracket depicts an extension with threaded end to help secure under cover. The 1993 has a tang for mounting the steering damper. The 1993 bracket can easily be modified to accept the portion of 1999 under cover mount.


Same mounting bracket profile...

One atop the other..

Same mounting hole centers...

1990-1994 steering damper mounting bracket in place on 1999 LS400.


Bracket clears rack pressure lines (time to replace lines...)

Right side inner tie rod assembly from 1994 LS400 featuring mounting bracket for steering damper. Should be plug and play on 1999 LS400.

Another angle of 1990-1994 inner tie rod.

Will update as project proceeds...

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

i always wondered why lexus/toyota would remove this part on newer LS400s. as you mentioned the change in the suspension bushing design may be the case. curious to know your results after installation.

vidlev

Yes I would also be curious if this modification works and what sort of results you get. Any updates for us now?

Losiracer2

I sometimes do here a clunking when going up/down my driveway that I could maybe attribute to some slop in the system. I still have the original inner/outer tierods but replaced the Lower balljoints with Lexus OE parts about 5k miles ago. Wondering if this will help tighten up the steering feel when on the highway possibly? Or if I should just replace the inner/outer tierods with new parts, car has 162k now.

YODAONE

Yes. The Toyota damper is discontinued. Several jokers online quoting $250 each for new old stock..which is 30 years old inventory
. Nope.

There appears an article where a Mercedes damper is an inexpensive plug and play substitute
So dealing with that.

Lex212

Interesting. Please keep us posted if/when you find out about the Benz damper.

YODAONE

When installing a1990 - 1994 LS400 factory steering damper on a 1995 - 2000 LS400 requires using a first generation inner tie rod assembly which accommodates a mounting bracket for the steering damper.

On left hand drive vehicles, the steering damper rack bracket is mounted onto the right side inner tie rod.
Toyota/Lexus part number is 45504-59015.

It appears on right hand drive vehicles this may be reversed.
.

The 1993 steering rack bushing bracket is at metal fabricator for addition of the undercover affixing bracket removed from the 1999 LS400 rack bushing bracket.

Next, will acquire a steering damper.


Right inner tie rod which affixes steering damper mounting bracket... stout mounting threads.

YODAONE

1999 steering rack grommet bracket undercover mounting arm successfully transplanted onto 1994 steering rack grommet bracket.
Work performed by Vector Custom Fabricating in Chicago.


Original 1995 -2000 LS400 bracket on left, modified 1990-1994 LS400 bracket with transplanted undercover mounting arm on right. Acquired an extra 1995-2000 bracket, so the shop would have an intact bracket to index the arm on 1990 - 1994 bracket.

Will bead blast and have bracket powder coated and baked.

YODAONE

Acquired a Bilstein German made steering damper originally specified for 1997 Mercedes Benz S320 as a substitute for the discontinued Lexus 1990-1994 steering damper...about $45 with shipping.

Very well made and appears only slight modification required on one end to shorten bushing spacer (vs using longer bolt) to equal size as opposing end to avoid misalignment, binding and insure proper movement of damper rod..
​​​​
Question...on UCF10/11...Does anyone know whether steering damper mounts topside or bottom side of left side steering rack grommet bracket?

Thanks


Das Original zum Einbauen....



Narrow end.. Anyone know this dimension for Lexus steering damper?




Wider mounting end measurement..perhaps Bilstein configures narrow and wide ends to insure proper mounting orientation

YODAONE

The Left / Right hard lines that run between power steering control valve and rack & pinion housing on steering rack will require slight reconfiguration to provide clearance for steering damper mounting bushing and hardware.

​​​​​​The right side steering rack grommet bracket arm which mounts rear plastic undercover is in pathway of steering damper, so bracket will require modification to maintain this undercover mounting point.


One of the rack hard lines runs over the area where the damper mounts. Can be modified without too much work.


Steering Damper at left side mounting bracket

Right side steering rack grommet bracket. Rear plastic undercover threaded mounting bracket is in path of steering damper . Will require a more creative reconfiguration than the left side bracket to retain it.

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

you're using a non-OE part?! gasp! haha but well done on the ingenuity to finding a replacement and getting a damper installed.

YODAONE

​​​​​​KYB manufactures the damper that appears to be the OEM unit...
The part number is contained in their English language catalog as being for an "LS400"...and say they cannot locate it....then I provide their catalog to them and a picture of actual packaging ...and they direct me to a KYB website in the Middle East that does not bother to respond to my E-mail.
See:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...et-struts.html

If the KYB shocks are any indication, then perhaps Bilstein may be a superior part..

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

KYB = kayaba = made in japan which supplied the OE shock dampers for the LS.

bilstein is a very well respected brand as well, so you will be fine!

fondu

Nice! +1 on the Bilstein damper, great alternative to OEM!

Dobie77

Hello, Ive had this OEM part fail on my 1993 LS, can you assist with a aftermarket replacement? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks
Jason Hamann