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Toyota Avalon 2004 and earlier

3628 messages,  Last post on Apr 21, 2013 at 6:02 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Avalon, Interior, Sedan

Messages Page 311 of 364

#3097 of 3628 Improving ride of 2000 XLS follow-up by par_pa

Jul 21, 2005 (10:47 am)

Just like to follow up my last message regarding replacement of all four struts by my Toyota's dealer to improve and soften the ride.
My local mechanic contacted the regional KYB representative. He mentioned that KYB was supplying Toyota with replacement struts. Those replacements are about 15% stiffer than the ones installed at factory. So, the replacements installed last month on my Avy are actually KYB, thought maybe not GR2.
  
Last Friday, I switched the 15-inch wheels from my Avalon XL 1996 with Michelin tires to my 2000 XLS. That alone made a big difference in ride comfort, calming the front end jiggling of the 2000. However, the front-end kicking over large dips remained. By the way, the 16-inch wheels with Goodyear Comfort Tread tires also had a positive effect on the 1996 Avy, making it more stable and quiet, without affecting the comfortable ride and without any jiggling.
 
I ordered and had installed yesterday the longer 378.4 mm front coil springs for the XLS 2000, retaining the struts installed by my Toyota dealer last month. Those coil springs are actually softer, raised the front end a bit, and virtually stopped the kicking effect. So now, I am quite happy with the result. The Toyota replacement struts made by KYB firmed the ride while retaining all the comfort with the longer coil springs that Toyota should have installed in the first place from day 1 for the 2000 models. The car no longer bottoms over dips or wallows over big bumps. Now it rides more comfortably than my 1996.
 
By the way, just to compare, I road tested a Avalon Premium 2005. Beside a huge improvement in acceleration, a nicer silhouette and a sportier dashboard, I found it harder riding that I expected over ruts and bumps, thought it feels quite tight and quiet on the road. Therefore, I won't buy it because the ride is too firm for my taste.

#3098 of 3628 Re: Improving ride of 2000 XLS follow-up [par_pa] by fin

Jul 21, 2005 (8:27 pm)

Replying to: par_pa (Jul 21, 2005 10:47 am)
Glad the tires are helping both cars. If you will post the complete tire sizes there is a program that calculates speedometer differences. Will give you the exact change in readout if you need it..........

#3099 of 3628 CHECK ENGINE VSC & VSC OFF LIGHTS AGAIN by pcp2

Jul 22, 2005 (1:03 am)

2000 Avy/W 64K mi.Here we go again ! Changed spark plugs pcv valve and fluids and the check engine light (steady) burning and vsc & vsc off lights came back on after about 275 miles of driving. Trouble code (lean burn front cylinder bank) came up again. Checked gas cap to be sure it is tight, OK.
 
Now what do I do???
1. Replace mass airflow sensor in air intake ?
2. Replace o2 sensor in front exhaust manifold?
3. Replace o2 sensor under car by cat converter?
4. Ignore the steady burning check engine light and keep driving? The Toyota dealer said steady burning light is no problem but a flashing light is serious.
5. Reset computer and sell the thing?
I wonder if this is a built in fault so Toyota can build in profit for its Dealers. Chrysler did this with a check engine reset button under the dash that if you did not know it existed the dealer would charge $300 to reset. NO ! I don't think Toyota Avy would not do this. It is troubling!

#3100 of 3628 Re: CHECK ENGINE VSC & VSC OFF LIGHTS AGAIN [pcp2] by par_pa

Jul 22, 2005 (1:04 pm)

Replying to: pcp2 (Jul 22, 2005 1:03 am)
I had a similar problem with my 2000 Avy, and I have got a cue from my Toyota dealer to clean le mass airflow with a soft brush. I had to do it twice. First time, the VSC light came out, but re appeared after a few miles. I repeated the procedure, being more careful and thorough, and the problem disappeared for good. It has been a year now.
It won't cost you much to try.

#3101 of 3628 Re: Improving ride of 2000 XLS follow-up [fin] by par_pa

Jul 22, 2005 (1:11 pm)

Replying to: fin (Jul 21, 2005 8:27 pm)
Tire sizes are P205/65R15 92T and P205/60R16 91H.

#3102 of 3628 Re: Improving ride of 2000 XLS follow-up [par_pa] by fin

Jul 22, 2005 (2:29 pm)

Replying to: par_pa (Jul 22, 2005 1:11 pm)
Difference in speedometer reading is minimal.
REmove 15 inch, INstall 16 inch: When the speedometer reads 65 mph you are moving at 65.5 mph.
REmove 16 inch, INstall 15 inch: When the speedometer reads 65 mph you are moving 64.5 mph.
 
Remember T-rated tires are good to 118 and H rated go to 130 mph...if this matters. Probably not. Enjoy the Avy ride(s)

#3103 of 3628 Re: Passenger Mirror Replacement [greenbelt] by abfisch

Jul 23, 2005 (10:52 am)

Replying to: greenbelt (Jul 19, 2005 3:30 pm)
Greenblet:
 
Mine got taken off in a parking lot and high wind episode. Painful. It cannot be fixed with the broken one relatively speaking. Buy a new OEM one on line or locally. Take off the door panel carefully, as well as the trim for the door grab and open, all with a screwdriver and trim tool. Make sure the plastic is at room temp or hotter. Peel some of the moisture barrier away from the door metal. Locate the three screws and bolts holding the mirror on and disconnect the wire at its disconnector. Put the new mirror in and reverse the order.
 
Take care and your time. Do not rush. Should take you about 2 hours.
 
abfisch

#3104 of 3628 Re: CHECK ENGINE VSC & VSC OFF LIGHTS AGAIN [par_pa] by pcp2

Jul 23, 2005 (8:42 pm)

Replying to: par_pa (Jul 22, 2005 1:04 pm)
Thank you for this info. I have cleaned mass air flow sensor and reset the computer. We will see what happens. Again ! Thanks all for your help.

#3105 of 3628 Re: CHECK ENGINE VSC & VSC OFF LIGHTS AGAIN [pcp2] by 66gman

Jul 24, 2005 (9:11 am)

Replying to: pcp2 (Jul 23, 2005 8:42 pm)
Give this a try: I too have a 2000 Avalon and mine VSC & VSC lite came on. I checked everything I could think of, and found the master cylinder resavour was low, I topped it off and light went out and stayed off.

#3106 of 3628 Avalon 1999 -- roadh handling - what to do? by adriver

Jul 28, 2005 (12:44 pm)

Hi, Just bought an Avalon 1999, 75K miles; Everything about the car is great except for road handling - It drives ok but I am feeling the bumps on the road much more than I want to. And the back seems to hang low from the road.
 
 I really want to improve the handling - after reading this forum, I am thinking I need struts if not other things also - what should I start with? Struts? Should I get it done at a Toyota dealer ? Or get from online and have independent mechanic install? What brand of struts? Thanks
 
 

Messages Page 311 of 364

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