LS - 4th Gen (2007-2017) Discussion topics related to the current flagship models LS460, LS460L and LS600H

LS460 weak suspension on bumpy road

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-23-16, 07:01 AM
  #31  
situman
Pole Position
 
situman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: NY
Posts: 3,449
Received 166 Likes on 115 Posts
Default

Its just the nature of the softer suspension and it is bottoming out and hitting its bump stops. The size and weight of the overall wheel and tire will contribute significantly to how well it handles bumps. I literally blacked out for a split second when my new 2008 ES hit a big bump and it only had 17's. Luckily the tire didnt blow but I certainly felt it and all of it.
Old 09-23-16, 07:33 AM
  #32  
2v1g
Intermediate
Thread Starter
 
2v1g's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: MN
Posts: 422
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

My LS460 bumped into a dear in the city several weeks ago. Headlamp cover is broken, panel above the light bend a little bit and bumper is coming out loose a little bit. The damage estimate is $5000 and our public insurance company pay for the fix because it is caused by wild animal. The headlamp alone is $2500.



Old 09-23-16, 07:34 AM
  #33  
2v1g
Intermediate
Thread Starter
 
2v1g's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: MN
Posts: 422
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

It is Deer, not a dear
The following users liked this post:
vinniesabo (01-05-23)
Old 09-23-16, 07:43 AM
  #34  
2v1g
Intermediate
Thread Starter
 
2v1g's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: MN
Posts: 422
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

2 days ago, my AFS panel light is flashing and ask me to check my AFS with the dealer. I check the issue online and I guess the height leveling sensor is bad. It should have nothing to do with my broken headlight lamp?

I still have the extended warranty(ECP)



Old 09-23-16, 08:02 AM
  #35  
2v1g
Intermediate
Thread Starter
 
2v1g's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: MN
Posts: 422
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Default



Old 09-23-16, 11:12 AM
  #36  
comotiger
Pole Position
 
comotiger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Missouri
Posts: 2,589
Received 295 Likes on 253 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by 2v1g
It is Deer, not a dear
Oh dear, glad to know you came thru fine. Was the deer OK?

Your car looks gorgeous. Looks like they fixed the damage really well.

BTW, for new problems like the AFS light, it is better to start a new thread.
Old 09-23-16, 12:17 PM
  #37  
2v1g
Intermediate
Thread Starter
 
2v1g's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: MN
Posts: 422
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

Oh, No. That black & white pic of my LS460 was taken before hitting the deer.

I am drive at 30miles/hour when I hit the deer and it just ran to the bushes. I don’t know whether the deer has a injury or not. There is 1 truck parked northbound, one SUV was driving northbound and I was driving southbound. The deer came out when the tails of 2 northbound vehicles and the front my car aligned one straight line. I have no time to see it coming. When hitting a deer, I just hear a light pop sound. It is almost like pushing away a paper box in front of you when you are running. I feel very calm and relieved once I saw it is not a human and keep my steering straight.

Old 09-23-16, 12:31 PM
  #38  
SW17LS
Lexus Fanatic
 
SW17LS's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Maryland
Posts: 57,248
Received 2,730 Likes on 1,956 Posts
Default

I'm sure the AFS issue is because of the deer strike. Would otherwise be a pretty big coincidence.
Old 09-23-16, 12:42 PM
  #39  
2v1g
Intermediate
Thread Starter
 
2v1g's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: MN
Posts: 422
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

No. AFS warning lights coming up several weeks after I hit the deer. Lots of people online said it has something do with the leveling sensor underneath the car at the back
Old 09-23-16, 07:53 PM
  #40  
roadfrog
Lexus Fanatic
 
roadfrog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 5,371
Received 508 Likes on 385 Posts
Default

Im with Steve on this. Just because the deer strike happened doesn't mean it's unrelated. FWIW, yes....one sensor at the back (and one at the front) can set off the check light, but so can a damaged motor in the headlamp housing, or if the motor and associated gearing were jostled or damaged. For example, I installed an LED bulb in my housing that caused the headlamp bulb to not move appropriately inside. This caused the AFS warning light to come on, which resulted in many hours of useless diagnosis of the sensor.
Old 09-24-16, 09:22 AM
  #41  
bostonsnow
Advanced
 
bostonsnow's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: CA
Posts: 558
Received 47 Likes on 35 Posts
Default

have any of you driven both to compare how the ride is between:
1) LS430 or LS460 with air suspension; compared to:
2) GS 350 RWD with air suspension.

How does the ride compare? Is the GS as soft and smooth as the LS? Is the GS as prone to this "bottoming out" phenomenon? (in other words, is LS more prone due to its higher weight and longer length/wheelbase)


?
Originally Posted by SW15LS
I would try the lower pressure. What do you have to lose?

That illustrates the point, my 04 430 was 30 if I remember correctly. It's exactly the same car as your 06, so why the change?

As for tires I'm very happy with the Pirelli Cinturato P7 Plus on mine, but again I still find it rides better on lower pressure.
Old 09-24-16, 09:26 AM
  #42  
SW17LS
Lexus Fanatic
 
SW17LS's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Maryland
Posts: 57,248
Received 2,730 Likes on 1,956 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by bostonsnow
have any of you driven both to compare how the ride is between:
1) LS430 or LS460 with air suspension; compared to:
2) GS 350 RWD with air suspension.

How does the ride compare? Is the GS as soft and smooth as the LS? Is the GS as prone to this "bottoming out" phenomenon? (in other words, is LS more prone due to its higher weight and longer length/wheelbase)
I had both. First off the GS does not have an air suspension option. It has an AVS adaptive suspension, but its just adaptive dampers, not an air suspension like in the LS with AVS.

The GS is nowhere near as soft and smooth as the LS. The GS is a much more firmly sprung car, and bumps and jolts of all sizes are felt much more firmly in the GS than in the LS. The GS is very refined and solid, like the LS but the difference in ride is immediately apparent.

I feel the LS with the coil suspension rides very similarly to an LS with air suspension in "normal" mode. "Comfort mode" softens it up a little, but it tends to float and bob which makes that not as pleasant an experience as it could be if that makes sense.

I've never felt any of my LS sedans bottom out. I firmly believe the OP's issue wis because of tires and wheel size (sidewall size), and that better tires aired down will make an impact.
Old 09-24-16, 10:22 AM
  #43  
2v1g
Intermediate
Thread Starter
 
2v1g's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: MN
Posts: 422
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

In May, I was looking for pre-owned LS460 and tested 2 2010 LS460s with air suspension. 2010 model comes with air suspension by default. One of them, set to normal and comfort modes, the ride is so firm that I can feel very inperfection on the road surface. The other one rides similar with the coil suspension but has lots of rust. I think air suspension on brand new LS should be better than the coil, but over the time, air suspension will stay in the mediocre status a long time before it failed.

I like the air suspension on the Jaguar XJ much better.
Old 09-24-16, 10:24 AM
  #44  
2v1g
Intermediate
Thread Starter
 
2v1g's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: MN
Posts: 422
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

Strange, 2010 all have air suspension by default while 2011 don't have it by default anymore
Old 09-24-16, 10:40 AM
  #45  
SW17LS
Lexus Fanatic
 
SW17LS's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Maryland
Posts: 57,248
Received 2,730 Likes on 1,956 Posts
Default

Yeah they move the packages around.

Even new, the air suspension is very similar to the coil spring car.

I think a lot of your ride issues with these cars test driving them is tires. The ride doesn't change that quickly over time. I bet a lot of those cars you drove that rode poorly had really high pressures. I've seen cars on lots with 40-50PSI and that has a huge impact on the ride.


Quick Reply: LS460 weak suspension on bumpy road



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:00 AM.