When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I applied Shin-Etsu silicone grease on all the door gaskets. I took my time doing it, and needed over an hour to get all the rubber pieces. I really appreciate the triple door seals on this car, and applied the grease to every one of them. In previous applications, I missed the outermost seals (visible in the crack between the fender panel and the front door, and between the front and rear doors) but not today. After I was all cleaned up, I realized that I forgot about the moon roof gaskets
Can you please post couple of pics of the area you applied Shin-Etsu grease? Do you recommend on 4 year old car (MY16)?
i have found it to make no difference. Leaves a white residue behind.
You are to apply it and then wipe it off. Not just put it on and leave it. It will help soften the rubber. I've been using it on my past cars and after 12 years on my old LS430 using it every year, the rubber felt like brand new and it helped stop win noise when I sold it with 244K miles on it.
I swear by it, and others do for a reason....
Yesterday, I added Android Auto to my LS, long process but, dam, very cool
-Spent about 10 hours peeling off the factory clearbra and removing the adhesive
Can I ask, why did you remove it ? Mine has seen better days and I have been thinking about it.
I do put on a lot of highway miles. My 2001 LS430 didn't have one, when I sold it, it looked like swiss cheese from all the rock chips. My 2007 had one and after over 200K miles, it still didn't even have 1 rock chip that I could see. It's why I am afraid to remove mine and do not really want to spend $500-700 to install another one...
i have found it to make no difference. Leaves a white residue behind.
It does leave a residue on the rubber as well as on the metal surfaces that the weather stripping gaskets contact. I haven't been wiping it off as Dave below says, but the residue doesn't bother me as I can't see it unless the door is open. I cannot prove that the grease helps reduce noise. But it definitely keeps the rubber soft and supple, and should prevent cracking, which is a good thing in the long run.
Originally Posted by DavidinCT
You are to apply it and then wipe it off. Not just put it on and leave it. It will help soften the rubber. I've been using it on my past cars and after 12 years on my old LS430 using it every year, the rubber felt like brand new and it helped stop win noise when I sold it with 244K miles on it.
I apply the grease sparingly. It's a "pain" applying it, especially covering all the hard-to-reach sections, so haven't bothered wiping it off.
I would like to think it makes a difference with noise reduction. After all the hard work, my brain definitely wants to hear the difference, but I haven't tested it per se!
Can you please post couple of pics of the area you applied Shin-Etsu grease? Do you recommend on 4 year old car (MY16)?
You can use it on even a new car, why not? In the midwest with harsh winters, the grease definitely helps keep the rubber soft, and that should help seal the doors better. I have noted the three door seal points in different colors in the photo below. Most of the weather stripping is on the doors. But there is one rubber stripping (yellow) that runs the length of the car frame between the two wheel wells. I will take a couple of pics later to show the pink gasket better, as well as the rubber section I was missing previously.
You can use it on even a new car, why not? In the midwest with harsh winters, the grease definitely helps keep the rubber soft, and that should help seal the doors better. I have noted the three door seal points in different colors in the photo below. Most of the weather stripping is on the doors. But there is one rubber stripping (yellow) that runs the length of the car frame between the two wheel wells. I will take a couple of pics later to show the pink gasket better, as well as the rubber section I was missing previously.
Finally went ahead and installed a hitch to haul a 4-bike rack. I didn’t want to put a hitch but I used a 3-bike trunk mount and didn’t really like it.
I went with Curt hitch and Inno Aero 4-bike hitch mounted rack. I’m waiting for the Inno to arrive.
That's a really clean install of the hitch. It takes up a lot of space. Did you have to cut or trim anything behind the bumper to make the hitch fit?
It will be quite a sight to see the Lexus flagship transporting bikes on a hitch! I haven't seen any flagship car in all my travels used in this manner!
That's a really clean install of the hitch. It takes up a lot of space. Did you have to cut or trim anything behind the bumper to make the hitch fit?
It will be quite a sight to see the Lexus flagship transporting bikes on a hitch! I haven't seen any flagship car in all my travels used in this manner!
A couple members on here have hitches on their LS too.
I had to trim the plastic undershroud but no trim needed on the bumper. It’s a nice design for sure but it only comes in 1 1/4” receiver.
i have found it to make no difference. Leaves a white residue behind.
So, the grease in and of itself makes no difference. Cleaning the seals and conditioning them to keep them soft and pliable absolutely does make a difference. You can go about doing that multiple ways, this grease is one of the ways.
Those seals get dried out within just a year or so and you can tell a difference once they are cleaned and conditioned.
Finally went ahead and installed a hitch to haul a 4-bike rack. I didn’t want to put a hitch but I used a 3-bike trunk mount and didn’t really like it.
I went with Curt hitch and Inno Aero 4-bike hitch mounted rack. I’m waiting for the Inno to arrive.
I miss driving my LS due to WFH so made a couple of day trips. What a pleasure ride it was!!!
Aoudad (wild sheep) was shocked to see an LS on safari (Fossil Rim, a safari like experience near Glen Rose, TX). Kids and DW had a blast feeding the animals off the car and watching them so close. The best part: Feeding giffare from the sun roof.
07-11-20, 11:25 PM
