BillNick

Cheers Tony, I'll be up to see you soon

Hi all, I bought a 2008 IS250 back in July. The previous owner was an honest gentlemen and after looking at the condition of the nsf alloy wheel he admitted to hitting he kerb. The last service bill had tracking and a tyre included. Then he got it MOT'd for me as part of the deal, and there was an advisory "Inner Steering Arm Joint showing signs of play but not excessive". I called the MOT tester who explained it was very very slight and most MOT testers would not have even advised. Bought the car and noticed a pull to the left. Check tyre inflations all ok so took it for a front wheel alignment locally that weekend. The guy that owned the tyre shop explained his alignment was perfect, so if it still pulls something is bent. It still pulls......I can take my hands off the wheel on a slight left hand bend on the motorway and it follows the lines. Having been very pleased with the WIM settings on my old 200, I plan a trip to WIM for a geometry and hopefully a diagnosis of the pull to the left. I want to get this done in December but in the new year I plan to change the factory 17" alloys to OEM 18" alloys. Should I wait until the 18"s are fitted or will it not make a difference on the geometry? Any advice offered for simple DIY checks also welcomed. Thanks Bill

Just a quick follow up question.....any ideas what might cause my front toe to fall again out having only been to WIM 3 weeks ago? Its pulling left.... .....and no jokes about my feet please lol

It was actually new ones but yes - all sorted after they were replaced. I can probably dig out the invoice this evening if you need to know exactly what was replaced. Yes please as I will go new also if the price isn't extortionate...... And thanks Tony, going back into the garage I use near me for thorough once over including dial gauge on both sides.

Is that just putting a dial gauge on with the disc off?

Sorry yes I know the warping is caused by uneven wear etc.....fact is, the 'warping' sensation isnt there when the new discs are fitted - quite frankly its bliss driving the car with smooth brakes for the first 500 miles of each set haha. I only changed one flange and that was the NSF where I hit the pothole. So Parthiban, you swapped both hub assemblies with used ones and all gone?

So here is my story…. Couple of years ago I hit a pretty nasty pothole on the NSF corner which blistered the tyre. When I went for a tyre change the tyre shop pointed out that my front brakes were binding, so I had my calipers refurbished and refitted them with new discs and pads also. 500 miles in and my brakes feel like they are warped. I had judder in the steering wheel when braking from high speed and a pulsing sensation from the brakes when braking at low speed. So, thinking the first set of brakes were rubbish, I fitted and 2nd new set. 500 miles in, and the warping symptoms are back. I then had new lower ball joints and wishbone arm bushes fitted as the MOT advised they were almost out. Still no difference, still have the warping sensation. So thinking back to the pothole, a mechanic tested the run out on that side (both disc and flange/hub) and although it was minimally out he did say it was not out enough to make it a 100% diagnosis for the warping sensation. I had him fit a brand new flange anyway (and a bearing whilst he was at it). I couldn’t afford a new set of brakes straight away but even so, the new flange made the warping symptoms less noticeable, though they did not disappear. The symptoms got gradually worse again so I went in and had a 3rd set of front brakes fitted a couple of weeks ago. I also visited WIM the day after the brakes were fitted and had the IS200 settings applied to my geometry. As I have been before the only adjustment needed was to the front toe. Drove out of WIM as you would expect everything felt tight and straight. 500 miles in and you guessed it, I have the warping symptoms again. I get judder braking from 30mph plus and a pulsing sensation when braking at low speed. My steering also seems to have fallen out of alignment. The toe is out once again and the car is pulling to the left, even more so when braking. There has to be something in my suspension that is worn or bent causing 3 sets of brand new brake discs to wear unevenly and give the warping symptoms after just 500 miles – right? Any idea what defects in the suspension could cause the brakes to wear untrue considering all the things above I have already replaced? All this time also, the NSF suspension has had a faint knocking noise when travelling down a bumpy road (the OSF hits bumps without any such noise). Could this be upper ball joint? Could the upper ball joint cause or contribute to the brake judder? Any pointers to help me focus my diagnosis would be really appreciated J

Hi Tony. Oke doke ill plan a trip up. Would your guys be able to fit the 2nd steering arm (inner & outer will be supplied) and apply WIM geo all on a Saturday morning?

Hi Tony/WIM, Visited WIM a couple of months back having had new bottom ball joints and wishbone bushes replaced I wanted the famous WIM geo settings applied to my IS200 once again. Unfortunately due to a seized steering rod Pete could not apply the settings and I went on my way to get a new steering rod fitted. I have had the seized rod replaced now and plan to come back for the GEO. However aside from this over the past few months I have experienced a feeling of looseness in my steering which I have not felt before owning the car for 5 years. I can't help but feel that there is play somewhere in the steering. I can wobble the steering wheel side to side whilst driving along without hardly any movement on the road. The car also wonders into any dips or creases in the road when I am braking even when I hold the steering wheel firmly with 2 hands. I only had one steering rod replaced. Do you think there could be play in the other side? Have hit 100k now. Do you think coming up to WIM for replacement steering rod on the 2nd side and a full Lexus IS200 geo at WIM would tighten up the response in the steering? The steering wheel is also very slightly off centre and the car slightly veers to the left if i let go. Help and advise appreciated as usual :-) Bill

Will the Geometry setup cure my off centre steering wheel?

Hi Tony, I've saved a bit more than I expected having the parts fitted down here in Kent, so I think I can now make the trip to WIM and have the Geometry done with you guys. I'd feel much more comfortable knowing it's done properly. Get what you pay for as you quite rightly pointed out. I'll call the workshop and get booked in. Thanks, Billy

Thanks Tony. I have already spoken to someone this morning following an email I sent last night, think it was Joe or Joel. He gave me a quote for fitting the parts and doing the alignment. The price is slightly over my expectation but with the added travel cost to Chesham I have to look into other options. I can get the parts fitted down here using my regular servicing garage, but am keen to have your geometry settings applied down here also if that is at all possible? The saving on travel would be a great help to the total cost. TEL: 07772 285 147

Hi, I am having new ball joints and bushes installed on the front of my Lexus IS200 and would like the famous WIM anti-tyre wear settings applied to the alignment afterwards. I am based in Kent, so wondered if it was possible to purchase the settings from WIM and take them to a recommended garage closer to me in Kent? If so, please let me know which garage (closest to BR7 6PT) and how I go about obtaining the settings. Many thanks Billy