Lift Bolts Changed, But They Were Perfect.

[Armz]

I had my lift bolts changed today, Mr.T was confused about what i was asking, but i managed to explain to them what the lift bolts did and what would happen if they broke.

Anyway i asked for my old bolts to check how bad they were and i'm very suprised. The bolts are hardly worn at all. They are yellowish, so i am to assume they are the original bolts that came with the car as new. The car is a pre-facelift 2001 registered, so either the previous owners never used lift (wow!) or they changed them somehow using original bolts and not the ones everyone can buy from Mr.T which are brilliant silver in colour. Maybe a Toyota empolyee owned it before.

I didn't use any lift on my way back as i've been taking my driving very easy this week. My car was rear ended earlier this week, so i'm pretty gutted with the damage caused, granted the damage is not devastating and can still be driven, still in the back of my mind its a nagging feeling. :(

Now to get all the bits and pieces togther to fit a facelift rear bumper, with air diffusers, and side skirts. I was planning to do all this but not right away, but thats all changed now.

Armz.

[MarcTS]

Sorry to hear about the rear end mate :-( With regards to the lift bolts, I remember the pictures from juan's post and it showed only a slight amount of wear on the very tips of the bolts, but it seemingly had a big impact on his lift. Best thing to do is to take her out and hit lift in various gears to see if it feels any stronger.

Relating to the rear shunt you were in, are you planning on replacing the rear bumper with a facelift version or will you be sticking with the pre-facelift one? I'd like to get a facelift one to stick on my car but i lack serious motivation at the moment because of work and rennovation commitments :(

[borodaz]

I had my lift bolts changed today, Mr.T was confused about what i was asking, but i managed to explain to them what the lift bolts did and what would happen if they broke.

Anyway i asked for my old bolts to check how bad they were and i'm very suprised. The bolts are hardly worn at all. They are yellowish, so i am to assume they are the original bolts that came with the car as new. The car is a pre-facelift 2001 registered, so either the previous owners never used lift (wow!) or they changed them somehow using original bolts and not the ones everyone can buy from Mr.T which are brilliant silver in colour. Maybe a Toyota empolyee owned it before.

I didn't use any lift on my way back as i've been taking my driving very easy this week. My car was rear ended earlier this week, so i'm pretty gutted with the damage caused, granted the damage is not devastating and can still be driven, still in the back of my mind its a nagging feeling. :(

Now to get all the bits and pieces togther to fit a facelift rear bumper, with air diffusers, and side skirts. I was planning to do all this but not right away, but thats all changed now.

Armz.

how much did mrT charge if you dont mind me asking matey? i may have mine changed just to ease my mind :)

[Armz]

Sorry to hear about the rear end mate :-( With regards to the lift bolts, I remember the pictures from juan's post and it showed only a slight amount of wear on the very tips of the bolts, but it seemingly had a big impact on his lift. Best thing to do is to take her out and hit lift in various gears to see if it feels any stronger.

Relating to the rear shunt you were in, are you planning on replacing the rear bumper with a facelift version or will you be sticking with the pre-facelift one? I'd like to get a facelift one to stick on my car but i lack serious motivation at the moment because of work and rennovation commitments :(

Thanks. I saw Juans posts and the pictures, and his bolts look way more worn than mine. Thats why i am so suprised. :o

I am getting the facelift bumper, have a look on eBay, nice ones for good prices. Got my rear diffusers for the facelift bumper ordered today from Parts-King ( ) and all the bolts and grommits for the side skirts. So i am almost ready to book the car into the bodyshop for all the changes.

I got side skirts from eBay for 150 delivered, the rear facelift bumper was 60 delivered, the rear diffusers from Parts-King were 80+ and the screws/gromits/fixings/blankign plates came to about 20-30 i think, must check my invoices later. Worked out pretty cheap on the whole apart from the diffusers, though i still have to prime/paint and fit.

I forgot about getting a front TTE grill for when my car is in the bodyshop. I'll have to try and get one sent from TTE in germany so i can get it all done in one go.

Armz.

[Armz]

I had my lift bolts changed today, Mr.T was confused about what i was asking, but i managed to explain to them what the lift bolts did and what would happen if they broke.

Anyway i asked for my old bolts to check how bad they were and i'm very suprised. The bolts are hardly worn at all. They are yellowish, so i am to assume they are the original bolts that came with the car as new. The car is a pre-facelift 2001 registered, so either the previous owners never used lift (wow!) or they changed them somehow using original bolts and not the ones everyone can buy from Mr.T which are brilliant silver in colour. Maybe a Toyota empolyee owned it before.

I didn't use any lift on my way back as i've been taking my driving very easy this week. My car was rear ended earlier this week, so i'm pretty gutted with the damage caused, granted the damage is not devastating and can still be driven, still in the back of my mind its a nagging feeling. :(

Now to get all the bits and pieces togther to fit a facelift rear bumper, with air diffusers, and side skirts. I was planning to do all this but not right away, but thats all changed now.

Armz.

how much did mrT charge if you dont mind me asking matey? i may have mine changed just to ease my mind :)

The bolts are 69p each, you need two. Plus vat. Service department kept saying 4 bolts are needed, but make sure you state that only 2 are needed, and they fit under the engine cover as the dealerships dont seem to accept it as a fault. Although i have heard many owners say it is. For them to admit there is a problem, would mean major recalls and Toyota has had a lot of those recently around the globe.. sadly.

The time calculated to fit was given as .8 hour. so 45mins, as others have said on the boards. I paid 77 all in for the bolts to be changed, i supplied my own bolts (bought from Parts-King). I have seen other threads were the price quoted is 68+vat, so it should cost no more than 80.

My service and mot and lift bolts change was done with amazing efficieny and speed. I think they did it all in about 3hours total.

Armz.

[borodaz]

I had my lift bolts changed today, Mr.T was confused about what i was asking, but i managed to explain to them what the lift bolts did and what would happen if they broke.

Anyway i asked for my old bolts to check how bad they were and i'm very suprised. The bolts are hardly worn at all. They are yellowish, so i am to assume they are the original bolts that came with the car as new. The car is a pre-facelift 2001 registered, so either the previous owners never used lift (wow!) or they changed them somehow using original bolts and not the ones everyone can buy from Mr.T which are brilliant silver in colour. Maybe a Toyota empolyee owned it before.

I didn't use any lift on my way back as i've been taking my driving very easy this week. My car was rear ended earlier this week, so i'm pretty gutted with the damage caused, granted the damage is not devastating and can still be driven, still in the back of my mind its a nagging feeling. :(

Now to get all the bits and pieces togther to fit a facelift rear bumper, with air diffusers, and side skirts. I was planning to do all this but not right away, but thats all changed now.

Armz.

how much did mrT charge if you dont mind me asking matey? i may have mine changed just to ease my mind :)

The bolts are 69p each, you need two. Plus vat. Service department kept saying 4 bolts are needed, but make sure you state that only 2 are needed, and they fit under the engine cover as the dealerships dont seem to accept it as a fault. Although i have heard many owners say it is. For them to admit there is a problem, would mean major recalls and Toyota has had a lot of those recently around the globe.. sadly.

The time calculated to fit was given as .8 hour. so 45mins, as others have said on the boards. I paid 77 all in for the bolts to be changed, i supplied my own bolts (bought from Parts-King). I have seen other threads were the price quoted is 68+vat, so it should cost no more than 80.

My service and mot and lift bolts change was done with amazing efficieny and speed. I think they did it all in about 3hours total.

Armz.

not bad seems good, im currently at 16200miles, think i may wait for my 20k service to get lift bolts changed.

if i get a typhoon will it void my warranty ?

[Armz]

I had my lift bolts changed today, Mr.T was confused about what i was asking, but i managed to explain to them what the lift bolts did and what would happen if they broke.

Anyway i asked for my old bolts to check how bad they were and i'm very suprised. The bolts are hardly worn at all. They are yellowish, so i am to assume they are the original bolts that came with the car as new. The car is a pre-facelift 2001 registered, so either the previous owners never used lift (wow!) or they changed them somehow using original bolts and not the ones everyone can buy from Mr.T which are brilliant silver in colour. Maybe a Toyota empolyee owned it before.

I didn't use any lift on my way back as i've been taking my driving very easy this week. My car was rear ended earlier this week, so i'm pretty gutted with the damage caused, granted the damage is not devastating and can still be driven, still in the back of my mind its a nagging feeling. :(

Now to get all the bits and pieces togther to fit a facelift rear bumper, with air diffusers, and side skirts. I was planning to do all this but not right away, but thats all changed now.

Armz.

how much did mrT charge if you dont mind me asking matey? i may have mine changed just to ease my mind :)

The bolts are 69p each, you need two. Plus vat. Service department kept saying 4 bolts are needed, but make sure you state that only 2 are needed, and they fit under the engine cover as the dealerships dont seem to accept it as a fault. Although i have heard many owners say it is. For them to admit there is a problem, would mean major recalls and Toyota has had a lot of those recently around the globe.. sadly.

The time calculated to fit was given as .8 hour. so 45mins, as others have said on the boards. I paid 77 all in for the bolts to be changed, i supplied my own bolts (bought from Parts-King). I have seen other threads were the price quoted is 68+vat, so it should cost no more than 80.

My service and mot and lift bolts change was done with amazing efficieny and speed. I think they did it all in about 3hours total.

Armz.

not bad seems good, im currently at 16200miles, think i may wait for my 20k service to get lift bolts changed.

if i get a typhoon will it void my warranty ?

Yes the price is very cheap, given that if the bolts do break, i heard they fall into the oilsump or someother part of the engine, which would mean stripping it to remove the broken bolt, probably a good few hours labour. It makes sense to spend the 80 odd for the bolts than a few hundred to get the engine rebuilt.

I'm at 44300miles, had my 50k service today. Cost me 95pounds. Be careful when you get the bolts done as your 20k service i think is one of the major ones, same as 40k and 60k. They are expensive and if you are working to a budget it would be best to get the bolts changed before or after the service, as the service will end up costing 300-400. Mine cost me 590 and it didnt need anything doing. I posted a thread on that subject with everything they charged me for. Toyota/Lexus Jemca Edgeware road, named and shamed.

The typhoon 'shouldn't' affect warranty, but lets be honest, all and any dealership will 'hmm' and 'arr' when they see the typhoon and it may cause you problems. As it gives them an excuse to not honour warranty as they see a typhoon fitted, although it may have nothing todo with the problem you took it in for orignally. You could always fit it, then remove it if you ever take the car back for any work to be done. They will be none the wiser, and your warranty ill remain intact, but wether this is honest i don't know. End of the day its like breaking a 'warranty will be void' sticker on an electrical item then try and get it returned/exchanged/repaired. It just won't happen. So with cars parts its a slightly grey area.

My warranty ran out ages ago (6 year old car) and i was worried about my 57i during mot today, thinking it may fail. But it passed with flying colours, not a single problem anywhere. So they cant cause any problems apart from the dash lights to come on, although i have never had this at all, as i have a 57i, not the typhoon which needs the air vacuum hose or something blanked off or connected back into the manifold. I have no idea about these things in general.

Hope that helps.

Armz.

[borodaz]

thanks for the info :)

[MarcTS]

I forgot about getting a front TTE grill for when my car is in the bodyshop. I'll have to try and get one sent from TTE in germany so i can get it all done in one go.

Armz.

Why go direct to TTE? Get it from PartsKing or ChrisS and it'll be a lot faster :)

[Armz]

I forgot about getting a front TTE grill for when my car is in the bodyshop. I'll have to try and get one sent from TTE in germany so i can get it all done in one go.

Armz.

Why go direct to TTE? Get it from PartsKing or ChrisS and it'll be a lot faster :)

I asked Parts-King about one a few weeks ago, he can't get a hold of any and directed me to TTE germany. I did send Chris a message on the other Tsowners board in the for sale section last week, but still no reply. Is he on these boards aswell under that username ChrisS?

I even emailed Prolex out of desperation for the C-One grill, and thats out of stock, but can't tell if the mesh size is the same as the TTE. I would love to see a TTE and C-one grill side by side to compare.

I've seen some on eBay aswell, a TRD and some other no name ones, which look very cheap and tacky, not even worth the 10pounds they are asking for the no name ones.

Hopefully one will pop up soon.

BTW: i fitted my cusco brace the other day. 143 delivered from aus. Love it way more than the cheap generic drift spec one i bought from china for 30 pounds. Thanks for helping me make the decison to get it. Looks the business. The ABS pipes i ended up bending downwards using my old brace as a lever and sticking a crowbar underneath and slowly lever downwards. The brace fits so perfect now. Not even a tight fit, but perfect. It took me a few days to come up with the safest and most efficient way to fit it without using bruteforce. It was a gradually levering movement to bend the pipe down 1-2mm at a time.

Thanks.

Armz.

[borodaz]

So what does this grill look like compared to my facelift model ? also like armz said " would love to see a TTE and C-one grill side by side to compare " would be nice as i may be interested in one of these grills too.

also on the subject of strut brace, myn has one im guesing its the standard one. will a new one make much difference in stability or is it just for looks ?

[Armz]

So what does this grill look like compared to my facelift model ? also like armz said " would love to see a TTE and C-one grill side by side to compare " would be nice as i may be interested in one of these grills too.

also on the subject of strut brace, myn has one im guesing its the standard one. will a new one make much difference in stability or is it just for looks ?

Check out MiniMarcs pictures he posted in another thread. He has a TTE one fitted and looks very nice. Makes people wonder what the car is. Besides that big T Badge does look rather odd the way they have emblazoned it on the front so large. You can then compare to the C-one on the prolex site, but its hard to compare them like for like. There must be some differences i'm sure, but what?

I don;t know what type of strutt brace you have but there are two types, one with a damper, and one without. The one with the damper i think usually goes on the compressors, although i could be mistaken. Either way the cusco i have is one solid piece so its more rigid that the one with the damper and probably better than the original t-sport one (i never had any brace to begin with as pre-facelift). The damper is just there to smooth the ride out, which if you install a brace you want it tight as a go-kart. So a damper seems a bit pointless unless you are after comfort with a little better handling than standard, but wont be much.

If you want very tight handling, have a look at the sway bars or anti-roll bars. They fit underneath the car and reduce bodyroll. Although it's nice to have a good brace for when you pop the bonnet. I've got alot of shiney under mine so far, cusco brace, Alpiro heatshield, 57i K&N, i should really start looking at getting the black ruber snorkel changed for the shiney metal snorkel, and paint my engine cover carlo blue and the front apron under the bonnet which attaches to the mesh grill.

Armz.

[MarcTS]

I asked Parts-King about one a few weeks ago, he can't get a hold of any and directed me to TTE germany. I did send Chris a message on the other Tsowners board in the for sale section last week, but still no reply. Is he on these boards aswell under that username ChrisS?

Hey mate, he's registered on here as Chris.S and when I ordered mine from him I'm pretty sure he worked for a Lexus dealership and was able to source the TTE Grille for me no problems. Here a link to his profile for easy PM :D >>LINKY<<

BTW: i fitted my cusco brace the other day. 143 delivered from aus. Love it way more than the cheap generic drift spec one i bought from china for 30 pounds. Thanks for helping me make the decison to get it. Looks the business. The ABS pipes i ended up bending downwards using my old brace as a lever and sticking a crowbar underneath and slowly lever downwards. The brace fits so perfect now. Not even a tight fit, but perfect. It took me a few days to come up with the safest and most efficient way to fit it without using bruteforce. It was a gradually levering movement to bend the pipe down 1-2mm at a time.

Nice one. You'll have to get some pics up. And kudos for having the patience to be gentle with the pipework. I just wrapped a teatowel around my hand and put my weight onto them until the strut fitted :D :D :D :D

So what does this grill look like compared to my facelift model ? also like armz said " would love to see a TTE and C-one grill side by side to compare " would be nice as i may be interested in one of these grills too.

also on the subject of strut brace, myn has one im guesing its the standard one. will a new one make much difference in stability or is it just for looks ?

Here's a pic of mine with the TTE grille and the TTE front spoiler fitted.

And for your information borodaz, as you have the facelift model, you can't actually fit one of these as us old skoolers have a separate grille from the front bumper wheras yours is all integrated. And I really wouldn't bother swapping the strut brace, although I'm sure it would be incredibly easy to sell your OE one to people on here.

[Armz]

I asked Parts-King about one a few weeks ago, he can't get a hold of any and directed me to TTE germany. I did send Chris a message on the other Tsowners board in the for sale section last week, but still no reply. Is he on these boards aswell under that username ChrisS?

Hey mate, he's registered on here as Chris.S and when I ordered mine from him I'm pretty sure he worked for a Lexus dealership and was able to source the TTE Grille for me no problems. Here a link to his profile for easy PM :D >>LINKY<<

BTW: i fitted my cusco brace the other day. 143 delivered from aus. Love it way more than the cheap generic drift spec one i bought from china for 30 pounds. Thanks for helping me make the decison to get it. Looks the business. The ABS pipes i ended up bending downwards using my old brace as a lever and sticking a crowbar underneath and slowly lever downwards. The brace fits so perfect now. Not even a tight fit, but perfect. It took me a few days to come up with the safest and most efficient way to fit it without using bruteforce. It was a gradually levering movement to bend the pipe down 1-2mm at a time.

Nice one. You'll have to get some pics up. And kudos for having the patience to be gentle with the pipework. I just wrapped a teatowel around my hand and put my weight onto them until the strut fitted :D :D :D :D

So what does this grill look like compared to my facelift model ? also like armz said " would love to see a TTE and C-one grill side by side to compare " would be nice as i may be interested in one of these grills too.

also on the subject of strut brace, myn has one im guesing its the standard one. will a new one make much difference in stability or is it just for looks ?

Here's a pic of mine with the TTE grille and the TTE front spoiler fitted.

And for your information borodaz, as you have the facelift model, you can't actually fit one of these as us old skoolers have a separate grille from the front bumper wheras yours is all integrated. And I really wouldn't bother swapping the strut brace, although I'm sure it would be incredibly easy to sell your OE one to people on here.

thanks for the info. I have PM'd ChrisS about the grill.

About the cusco grill i took some pics on my mobile the other day when i fitted it but light levels were really low. Pics looked rubbish. Tomorrow hopefully i will take some proper high res pics of the engine bay. I tried the cloth and hand method, and it just would not shift at all. I'm not exactly weak but that pipe is a one strong mother. Had it not been for the crowbar and my old brace it would have not been possible to fit the cusco.

I'm glad i made it fit properly as my cusco had to come off today for the vvtli bolts to be changed by Mr.T. I can only imagine their faces if they try to put it back on and the pipe has to be pushed down to get the cusco to sit properly. They would maybe refuse to put it back on as they would be liable if the pipe broke when they force the brace back on. Mr.T didn't say anything about my brace, although i do see a slight scratch to the shiney metal going across. I think it was probably handled abit ruff or placed on the floor without care. I didn't take my blue plastic chrome protectors off till i had installed the brace, just to be careful. Hopefully i can polish the scratch out. Was a brand new 3 day old brace aswell. lol

As you have bent your abs pipe with brute force, there is one test you can do to make sure no damage was done. Find a road with uneven broken surface then brake hard, as hard as you can, public safety comes first though, empty back road or track is better. You should hear a grinding type noise from any of the front wheels, this is the abs kicking in and pumping the abs vavles to the brakes. To aid braking over the uneven ground.

If you don't feel this, the ABS could have malfucntioned, or you may have bent the pipe slightly too much putting pressure on the pipe where is attaches to a unit bolted in the drivebay almost behind the dash causing a type of pressure 'bleed'. I think this was called the master brake cyclinder? If any damage has been done it costs a packet to repair the abs. But again safety comes first with brakes and ABS. So better to be safe than sorry.

Armz.