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Ordered a Beck/Arnley Right Rear Upper Control Arm from Rock Auto. I believe one of the bushings on the original arm is bad causing a clunking at slow speeds. Also looking for a set of adjustable Megan Racing Camber Arms to get rear alignment in perfect spec.
Ordered a Beck/Arnley Right Rear Upper Control Arm from Rock Auto. I believe one of the bushings on the original arm is bad causing a clunking at slow speeds. Also looking for a set of adjustable Megan Racing Camber Arms to get rear alignment in perfect spec.
Would love to hear your experience with the Megan Camber Arms once you get them put on. It bet the price is competitive or more than competitive than OEM. Just a hunch. Edit: It's more than a hunch. The Longo Lexis list price is $249.30 per side with a discount price of $197.74 per side. The Megan arms are $335.00 for both sides. It's not a huge difference, but the Megan arms offer adjustability, and the OEM arms are offered in two lengths only.
Last edited by CSA; 05-11-21 at 12:03 PM.
Reason: Additional information.
Would love to hear your experience with the Megan Camber Arms once you get them put on. It bet the price is competitive or more than competitive than OEM. Just a hunch. Edit: It's more than a hunch. The Longo Lexis list price is $249.30 per side with a discount price of $197.74 per side. The Megan arms are $335.00 for both sides. It's not a huge difference, but the Megan arms offer adjustability, and the OEM arms are offered in two lengths only.
I do have the shorter arms currently which I put on to correct alignment years ago before I refreshed the rear suspension, but I suspect they are too short now and putting a torque or twist on the suspension. Also with the shorter arm on the right rear they alignment tech couldn't get toe in spec because the toe arm was fighting against the shorter rear control arm. For testing I put the stock length back on the right rear and the ride improved on that side. So the adjustable arms should work to have all the arms in a neutral position and I believe the toe adjustment needed should be very minor once camber is set perfect.
Here is an alignment sheet I found from someone using the arms to correct too much negative camber and the end result is what I'm looking for. In theory I should be fine going back to standard length arms now I have sorted the rear suspension with new springs, struts and various control arms, but like you said getting adjustable arms makes the most sense.
Not one to brag, but this was big for me as I am not much of a DIY-er. It was technically 5 days ago, but after having my Navi unit sent out and repaired (the connection thing), I reinstalled it myself!!
Not one to brag, but this was big for me as I am not much of a DIY-er. It was technically 5 days ago, but after having my Navi unit sent out and repaired (the connection thing), I reinstalled it myself!!
great work! I hate wiring anything - you never know what kind of a mess is hiding back there - if there has been previous work done especially.
Just received this little Bluetooth module to replace my cigarette lighter bluetooth/FM unit.
Plugs into the Y cable and into the back of the CD Player and only 50 Euros delivered.
Will be installing it this weekend.
Ordered new OEM Front Driver Seat cushion foam pad. I will ask upholstery shop to see if they can modify the top area to possibly add few more layers of cushion material, based on some feedback. The goal is to exceed passenger foam pad in comfort level.
Wow, @BigBoomer , well since I am an expert now (haha), give me buzz if you need a tip. **Remember I am 8 hours behind you!
@ls430w140 , that is awesome that you ordered the OEM foam. I also appreciate that you can buy the covers, so if you found a perfectly maintained LS, but it was a little roughed up, you could restore. BEWARE - my one experience with stuffing a seat with extra foam was a Nissan I used to own. The foam was great but it put my head into the ceiling because it was so thick and dense. I am very tall, so that may not be an issue for you. But just talk to that upholsterer to feel different foams. If you are buying the OEM pad, I am not sure why you would need more foam? Oh well, your call.
@HILS430 , thanks. Lucky for me if you look closely at the first pic it is all idiot-proof plugs. Woohoo. Uh, yeah, I don't do wiring either.
My 2005' LS430 sometimes turned into "MAX hot" automatically. Before this symptom occur, I can heard 3 times beep sound, and the setting room temperature goes up each time 0.5 degree C, till shows "Max Hot" .
In such situation , air flow become biggest and hot air comes out vents. I have to turn off the ignition and then turns on to clear this error. I am thinking the root cause should not be the servo motor, since I can use the air conditioner normally without always hot air. Have anyone same symptom like this?
Wow, @BigBoomer , well since I am an expert now (haha), give me buzz if you need a tip. **Remember I am 8 hours behind you!
@ls430w140 , that is awesome that you ordered the OEM foam. I also appreciate that you can buy the covers, so if you found a perfectly maintained LS, but it was a little roughed up, you could restore. BEWARE - my one experience with stuffing a seat with extra foam was a Nissan I used to own. The foam was great but it put my head into the ceiling because it was so thick and dense. I am very tall, so that may not be an issue for you. But just talk to that upholsterer to feel different foams. If you are buying the OEM pad, I am not sure why you would need more foam? Oh well, your call.
@HILS430 , thanks. Lucky for me if you look closely at the first pic it is all idiot-proof plugs. Woohoo. Uh, yeah, I don't do wiring either.
Thanks for the hint as to not overinflate the seats with cushion material. I was considering to only add the top layer to see if it will make the difference. The shop which I took the car to will take a look at what needs to be done to achiever Max comfort in this area.
I did not buy the leather cover as it cost way above a thousand dollars. No need as the upholstery shop can apply the nice patch, fix the cracking and repaint.
Here is what we are working on:
Notice that there is additional foam material in between the cover and the actual cushion pad The top layer is a joke - does anyone know if it is normal to put such a ridiculously tiny amount of material for cushion purposes and what is it supposed to do under heavy human weight? Can this be contributing to “insufficient” cushioning compared to other brands like Mercedes or Cadillac luxury vehicles?
Does that thin layer help distribute airflow for heated/cooled seats?
Not sure otherwise.
My understanding from talking with my custom shop is that when they called their high-end upholstery shop they were told there was no substitute foam available on the aftermarket that supported the LS430 heated and cooled seats. My intent was to completely replace the cushion with an aftermarket cushion. The same upholstery shop has replaced seat cushions on others vehicles of mine but my preferred high-density memory foam that’s ventilated(and is a popular upgrade with OTR truckers, street rods and custom builds) just doesn’t work on this application. If you add a layer of foam to the Lexus cushion be sure the foam manufacturer says it’s compatible.
The top layer is a joke - does anyone know if it is normal to put such a ridiculously tiny amount of material for cushion purposes and what is it supposed to do under heavy human weight? Can this be contributing to “insufficient” cushioning compared to other brands like Mercedes or Cadillac luxury vehicles?
That's quite an inflammatory statement coming from a layman
Have you seen the cushioning of a Mercedes or Cadillac seat?
Me neither... that's why I'm not gonna make any comparisons.
Maybe this will give you some insight on a Cadillac.
The raw size of foam is one factor. Its density is another. Material composition, "conductivity", etc., etc.
I suspect that gray top layer acts as air channels for the heated/cooled seats or structural reliefs for the leather cover. "Suspect" because I haven't a clue about automotive seat engineering LOL
That's quite an inflammatory statement coming from a layman
Have you seen the cushioning of a Mercedes or Cadillac seat?
Me neither... that's why I'm not gonna make any comparisons.
Maybe this will give you some insight on a Cadillac.
The raw size of foam is one factor. Its density is another. Material composition, "conductivity", etc., etc.
I suspect that gray top layer acts as air channels for the heated/cooled seats or structural reliefs for the leather cover. "Suspect" because I haven't a clue about automotive seat engineering LOL
I don't have any knowledge about the process they use to manufacture the foam pad. I owned W140 before and used to drive older escalade quite often. You don't have to be an engineer to notice that other luxury cars of similar years may feel more comfortable at the seat level. Here is what i learned:
- The specialist removed the older pad and installed the new factory one that i supplied to him. He said the pad is not in the bad condition, but became too soft. I confirmed that it does require much less effort to compress it compared to the new part.
- The new pad moderately increased the height of the seat level - for the better i guess. Seat adjustment can always be made to avoid touching the ceiling.
- No need for any aftermarket parts whatsoever - neither as the top layer nor as the replacement of the base pad. OEM is best as always.
- The new pad is firmed and softer at the same time - now feels like sitting in the air. The density of the new OEM pad is exactly what is needed in this application. Side support is now noticeable as well, especially during turns.
05-11-21, 10:56 AM
