Help?!! Can I put 16" rims on a 2005 LS430 ???
11-18-07, 06:30 PM
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Help?!! Can I put 16" rims on a 2005 LS430 ???
I have a 2005 LS430 with 18" rims and 245/45/18 tires. The steering effort is very high (as compared with my LS400). I injured my hands and can't continue to fight the car while turning the wheel.
I am considering putting 16" rims on this car to make turning the wheel easier. A set of 2001 LS430 16" rims are being offered to me.
1) Are the 2001 LS430 16" rims a direct fit on the '05 LS430 or do I need a fitment?
2) Is there a problem with brake caliper clearance when fitting the 16" rims to the '05 LS430?
3) Has anyone else done this - does it make the steering less resistant to turning the wheel?
All responses are greatly appreciated!
I am considering putting 16" rims on this car to make turning the wheel easier. A set of 2001 LS430 16" rims are being offered to me.
1) Are the 2001 LS430 16" rims a direct fit on the '05 LS430 or do I need a fitment?
2) Is there a problem with brake caliper clearance when fitting the 16" rims to the '05 LS430?
3) Has anyone else done this - does it make the steering less resistant to turning the wheel?
All responses are greatly appreciated!
Last edited by feldman; 11-18-07 at 08:04 PM.
11-18-07, 07:48 PM
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not turning radius
Sorry I didn't make myself clear. The steering effort is too high, that's the problem that I'm experiencing with the 18" rims. Basically is there a way to reduce the steering effort, either by changing the tires/rims or by some other method?
In other words, the LS430 with 18" wheels is much more difficult to turn the steering wheel than on an LS430 with 17" wheels. I have not tried an LS430 vehicle with 16" wheels.
Perhaps putting 225/50/18s on the 18" front wheels would make it easier to turn the steering wheel? Can I put 225s on an 18" rim?
Last edited by feldman; 11-18-07 at 08:03 PM.
11-19-07, 06:23 AM
#4
I echo OBXTucker, all LS430 wheels are interchangeable.
I am sorry to hear about your injury, are you sure you haven't lost your power assist? I've test driven LS430s with 18"s and felt there was no additional steering effort when compared to 16"s
I am sorry to hear about your injury, are you sure you haven't lost your power assist? I've test driven LS430s with 18"s and felt there was no additional steering effort when compared to 16"s
11-19-07, 06:59 AM
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less wide tires - reduce sterring effort
The wheel actually gets tougher to turn as I drive faster. At very slow speeds it isn't too bad. I'll have the dealer check the power assist, but it drives like every other 430 with 18" wheels (245/45/18) that I've tried. I drove two 17" LS430 (225/55/17) vehicles and they required less steering effort, although they are no where near as light as my 2000 LS400. Have not driven an LS430 with 16" wheels.
So to get a less wide tire that will be easier to turn I can use these combinations...?
16" LS430 wheels and 215/65/16s
Some other vendor's 16" wheels, 40 offset, 215/65/16s
17" LS430 wheels and 225/55/17s
Some other vendor's 17" wheels, 40 offset, 225/55/17s
18" LS430 wheels and 235/45/18s
11-19-07, 09:22 AM
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Not sure what to tell you about the difficulty turning. I really don't think you should "feel" a difference steering. I went from stock 16's to 18's and didn't notice any additional resistance. Additionally, at highway speeds you should be able to drive this car with one finger.
I agree that I'd have a dealer take a look at the drive assist.....
Hope this helps.
I agree that I'd have a dealer take a look at the drive assist.....
Hope this helps.
11-19-07, 09:50 AM
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factors that may contribute to higher steering effort:
low level or dirty, power steering fluid,
wider, low profile tires
heavier, larger diameter wheels
wheel alignment - specifically - amount of caster.
although none of the above should make a dramatic difference, just slight.
*************
low probability: slipping power steering belt,
power steering pump worn down.
steering shaft binding, thru firewall
**********************
hope your hands get better
so, if all the mechanicals check out OK;
then changing to smaller diameter wheel and narrowest width tire - recommended by Lexus; should lighten the feel a bit.
low level or dirty, power steering fluid,
wider, low profile tires
heavier, larger diameter wheels
wheel alignment - specifically - amount of caster.
although none of the above should make a dramatic difference, just slight.
*************
low probability: slipping power steering belt,
power steering pump worn down.
steering shaft binding, thru firewall
**********************
hope your hands get better
so, if all the mechanicals check out OK;
then changing to smaller diameter wheel and narrowest width tire - recommended by Lexus; should lighten the feel a bit.
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11-19-07, 12:36 PM
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will talk to the dealer
Not sure what to tell you about the difficulty turning. I really don't think you should "feel" a difference steering. I went from stock 16's to 18's and didn't notice any additional resistance. Additionally, at highway speeds you should be able to drive this car with one finger.
I agree that I'd have a dealer take a look at the drive assist.....
Hope this helps.
I agree that I'd have a dealer take a look at the drive assist.....
Hope this helps.
factors that may contribute to higher steering effort:
low level or dirty, power steering fluid,
wider, low profile tires
heavier, larger diameter wheels
wheel alignment - specifically - amount of caster.
although none of the above should make a dramatic difference, just slight.
*************
low probability: slipping power steering belt,
power steering pump worn down.
steering shaft binding, thru firewall
**********************
hope your hands get better
so, if all the mechanicals check out OK;
then changing to smaller diameter wheel and narrowest width tire - recommended by Lexus; should lighten the feel a bit.
low level or dirty, power steering fluid,
wider, low profile tires
heavier, larger diameter wheels
wheel alignment - specifically - amount of caster.
although none of the above should make a dramatic difference, just slight.
*************
low probability: slipping power steering belt,
power steering pump worn down.
steering shaft binding, thru firewall
**********************
hope your hands get better
so, if all the mechanicals check out OK;
then changing to smaller diameter wheel and narrowest width tire - recommended by Lexus; should lighten the feel a bit.
I did speak to Lexus (their 800 number) and the woman I spoke to said that she receives "many" complaints about the steering effort on LS430s with 18" wheels. Lexus recommends against switching the wheels however.
Will let you know what happens.
11-20-07, 06:24 AM
#10
Pole Position
guess I better drive one with 16 & 17" wheels to see what they are like,, I have 18" on my Ultra and never thought anything else could be easier to drive,, as one of the others pointed out, it is a one finger event (if you so elect) heading down the road at 70 mph,, can't imagine anything to be easier,,
would certainly have the dealer head out on the road for some high speed testing to experience what you are describing,,
would certainly have the dealer head out on the road for some high speed testing to experience what you are describing,,
11-20-07, 11:05 AM
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All 1995-2000 LS400 and all LS430 wheels will fit on a 2001-06 LS430. You would need to use a 225/60/16 tire, not 215/65/16 like you mentioned.
Furthermore, my mom has a 1999 LS400, and yes, steering effort on that car is definitely lighter than mine (but I like the increased steering effort).
Let us know what happens at the dealer.
Furthermore, my mom has a 1999 LS400, and yes, steering effort on that car is definitely lighter than mine (but I like the increased steering effort).
Let us know what happens at the dealer.
11-22-07, 11:07 PM
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Reducing steering effort electronically
1.
Here's a method of modifying the speed sensitive steering:
http://www.autospeed.com/cms/article.html?&A=1297
Unfortunately for you it is much easier to make the steering require more effort (put a resistor in series with the PPS solenoid), rather than the other way around. You'll need to install a circuit that will boost the current or voltage coming from the ECU rather than attenuate it.
2.
On the LS400 there's a solenoid screen that can clog and render your steering truck-like. Something comparable may exist on the LS430. There is also a "flow control valve" which differs for various versions of the LS400 and can be swapped to provider heavier or lighter steering feel. Here's some information from:
http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums...solenoid&st=45
Did you replace the P/S pump? If you did, look at the old one. On the body of the pump, there is a letter stamped on it right under the fitting where the high pressure discharge line connects (goes to the rack). This letter designates which flow control valve was originally supplied with your car. If the new pump has a different letter flow control valve, the steering will be either too soft or too firm. The only way to know with absolute certainty which valve is in either pump is to remove the pressure port union. The flow control valve lives under the pressure port union. The valve will have a letter engraved on it. My original had a letter "E" in it and the new (reman) pump came with a letter "F" in it. When I installed the reman, the car drove like a truck. I popped the "F" out and installed the "E" from the old pump. Drives like a dream now.
Just cleaning the solenoid screen/filter & doing a flush "should" render your steering to "Like new condition" unless there's something else going on. I wouldn't get out the chainsaw just yet though.
Some might disagree with my having removed the solenoid screen/filter temporarily when I did the flush, but I wanted to be certain that I flushed ALL of the "Bad Things" out of the system before I put it all back together. It's probably a stretch, but it's possible that you may still have crap floating around in your system & clogging the screen/filter.
Just cleaning the solenoid screen/filter & doing a flush "should" render your steering to "Like new condition" unless there's something else going on. I wouldn't get out the chainsaw just yet though.
Some might disagree with my having removed the solenoid screen/filter temporarily when I did the flush, but I wanted to be certain that I flushed ALL of the "Bad Things" out of the system before I put it all back together. It's probably a stretch, but it's possible that you may still have crap floating around in your system & clogging the screen/filter.
If you do manage to get either of the above to work please let us know how you did it.
Last edited by andygarett; 11-22-07 at 11:29 PM.
11-24-07, 02:53 PM
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Steering pump
I spoke to a Lexus tech and he isn't positive, but he said that there might be a different steering pump for the sport and non-sport editions of the 2005 LS430. You might want to check into that since replacing the steering pump would certainly be less expensive than getting a whole new set of wheels and tires.
Best of luck and let us know what happens!
Best of luck and let us know what happens!
12-02-07, 06:48 AM
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sport / non sport
I spoke to a Lexus tech and he isn't positive, but he said that there might be a different steering pump for the sport and non-sport editions of the 2005 LS430. You might want to check into that since replacing the steering pump would certainly be less expensive than getting a whole new set of wheels and tires.
Best of luck and let us know what happens!
Best of luck and let us know what happens!
It's not a sport suspension car, so whether the pump is different on sport/non-sport wouldn't make any difference. The local dealer here says they've never seen a car with the sport suspension.
The car is going to the dealer this week. I'll let you know what happens. I drove a friend's car on Friday with 17s and the steering feel is much lighter. He switched the rims because of the same issue.
12-12-07, 01:22 AM
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Heavy steering
All 1995-2000 LS400 and all LS430 wheels will fit on a 2001-06 LS430. You would need to use a 225/60/16 tire, not 215/65/16 like you mentioned.
Furthermore, my mom has a 1999 LS400, and yes, steering effort on that car is definitely lighter than mine (but I like the increased steering effort).
Let us know what happens at the dealer.
Furthermore, my mom has a 1999 LS400, and yes, steering effort on that car is definitely lighter than mine (but I like the increased steering effort).
Let us know what happens at the dealer.
1) The steering effort is lighter, although not tremendously so. If the LS430 steering weight with 18's is a 10, and a LS400 steering weight is a 1, then the LS430 with the 17s the steering weight is about a 7.
2) The handling with the 17s is excellent, but not as good as with the 18s. The handling with the 18s is essentially phenominal.
I took the car fitted with the 17s to the dealer and had them check the steering. They indicate that the car is "perfect."
It looks like if you need very light steering, that you should stick to the LS400. The LS430 just has heavier steering and that's just the way it is.
It would be nice if someone sold a modification for the LS430 ECU/steering computer that would lighten the steering, but apparently such a thing does not exist.
Thanks for all your help.
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