Dtwizz

Hi all

I have a 2007 Lexus ES 350 with 170k miles issue that I have now that is getting louder and worse is steering wheel rattle. So the steering wheel is not loose it doesn't move freely its firm in place. I noticed that when in a parking lot rolling low speed over uneven and broken pavement the steering wheel rattled from behind the trim at this time I could feel play in the steering wheel like a vibration for each bump I hit. I have checked the trim over and over and it is not the trim rattling around. This only happens when at low speeds and going over uneven or bumpy pavement. I have never had any steering wheel related issues alignment issues and the care has never been wrecked. I am at a loss what to look for and before I go to a mechanic I would like to have an idea of what it could be. No issues with rotors or brakes, all repairs related to that have been done at the dealership. Other than this car is great as it was when I purchased it.

Any help, advise and insight is very welcome.

ESh

Do you feel a pop on the steering wheel when you turn it a couple of degrees left or right and push it from 0 mph, and then off throttle?

halcyonsky

Does it sound like the noise is coming from 'inside' the steering wheel? There is a "steering wheel damper" behind the airbag that's simply a weight mounted on rubber columns to absorb road, steering and engine vibrations. On my ES, (this happened at about 120k miles) the rubber mounts got old and simply detached from the weight. That left the weight loose and rattling around inside the steering wheel when turning. I removed it, and felt no difference but several months later while at the dealership for an unrelated issue I found it was a $30 part and just replaced it. I have pics and part numbers if that sounds like it might be a possible cause. Easy to check with minimal tools and time.

TamaraL3a

mine just started doing the popping after the rattling got worse. I own a 2015 es350 lexus. What could that be. My mom's did that too

June1978

Can you supply the part numbers and pics? Mine is a 2007 ES350

This is happening to me. I got the steering shaft replaced which fixed it for about 6 months and it's now happening again. I'm being told it's something in the actual steering column (dampener)

From the videos I found on YT, it looks labor intensive to get to it.....

shaft noise:


damper noise:

ESh

That may be the damper.

June1978

Bumping this thread....

Were there specific models/years that were effected by this rattle? I was quoted $900 to have the steering column replaced with a used one but if this is a common issue with the only solution to replace with new, I will live with it.

I see the RX forum had a number of people complaining about this.

brother Clutchless sent me this:

https://carspecmn.com/2010-2011-rx35...e-dash-rattle/

spaceballs

Yup, I don't think that part exists in the fluid power steering system (5th gen), but for electric PS (6th gen) it's there.