Still can't figure out steering problem, help!
01-24-07, 03:56 PM
#1
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
Still can't figure out steering problem, help!
I can't completely fix my steering problem. Since I bought my car I have this loose steering feel in the steering wheel itself. As I go over very rough pavement at 5-10mph on my condo parking lot or sometimes on bumps on roads or highway at high speed I get this loose feel where it feels my steering wheel just disconnects from the wheels a bit and makes this little rattling sound right in the staeering column and the steering wheel. I think my car was abused before I bought it with 80k miles almost 2 years ago and I still can't completely fix it. I mean it is a lot better now, since I changed out bad tie rods, ball joints and rack joint, and changed out rack&pinion just incase. I also had a bad tilt motor so I bought new steering column with motor and put my wood steering wheel back on it. I also upgraded Dazien control, sway and rack bushings. And I still can't figure out why I get this loose steering feel. There has to be something else, maybe somewhere in steering wheel itself where it connects to the steering column? Need some help. Does anyone else have or had this problem, what else could be wrong? I know steering and suspension is GS's very weak points.
01-25-07, 11:52 AM
#2
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
wow.. Am I the only unlucky one.. Damn.. maybe that is why I can't figure it out. lol.. I PMed Lexforlife, but he did not get back to me yet. Edd, help a brother out! I was going to drive 350 miles to see Edd to have him look at my ride, since he does his own work on his twin brother (GS)..
Last edited by Panerai127; 01-25-07 at 11:54 AM. Reason: revised
03-13-07, 07:56 PM
#3
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I am right there with you. I have a loose steering wheel as well. I've had the steering rack mounts replaced with Daizen. I've had the ball joints replaced. I've even had the upper and lower control arm bushings replaced with Daizen. The steering wheel feels like it isn't even engaging.
I can turn the steering wheel slightly left to right without it even engaging the pressure/resistance of the entire steering system. Feels like a loose universal joint or bolt.
I hate it and need help too!!!
What could it be???
I can turn the steering wheel slightly left to right without it even engaging the pressure/resistance of the entire steering system. Feels like a loose universal joint or bolt.
I hate it and need help too!!!
What could it be???
03-13-07, 08:29 PM
#4
Moderator
I have a 98GS400 and when it was new, it had a funny loose feeling. It was not an uncommon problem ... some termed is tramlining etc.
I went through the following changes and every thing firmed up. This was many years ago.
1. Ltuned Steering ECU.
2. Ltuned springs and shocks.
3. Tires
This may or may not be your problem.
Salim
I went through the following changes and every thing firmed up. This was many years ago.
1. Ltuned Steering ECU.
2. Ltuned springs and shocks.
3. Tires
This may or may not be your problem.
Salim
03-14-07, 02:14 AM
#6
I have the same problem on my 98 GS3,
When I drive over rough ground (gravel etc) at the same speeds 5-15 mph I can hear and feel the steering column shake around. I changed the tie rods, ball joints, daizen steering bushings; still not fixed.
Seeing that you also changed the control bushings which was my next project, I might just bring it to a suspension specialist that has a hydraulic suspension tester - (ie it shakes the sh1te out of it). A similar tester is also used to test the suspension at our 2yearly car test.
Also, I get a similar but a lot weaker steering column shaking noise when I drive it cold at 70mph. It disappers quickly when the tyres/bushings warm up (~2 miles). Thats why I am thinking worn suspension bushings.
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03-14-07, 12:45 PM
#8
dlomonosov,
After searching this forum, you asked a similar question on this thread:
http://sr1.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=162628
Did you try gserep1's solution?
I am going to try this this weekend!
If you think about it it does make HUGE sense, from memory (I could be wrong) the rack is bolted to the subframe, so if the subframe moves, the rack moves. The steering column is fixed so the body, so every time the frame moves it forces vibration up the column to the steering wheel!
After searching this forum, you asked a similar question on this thread:
http://sr1.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=162628
Did you try gserep1's solution?
Unbelieveable as it seems, the "CLUNK" is finally GONE. I've spent enough money lately. I did the Upper ball joints and arms, Lower ball joints, & Tie Rod Ends. I still had the clunk. Then I re-did the front brakes with pads and the FIT kit from Lexus. STILL had the clunk.
I took it to the alignment shop and trhey recomended the LOWER STABILIZER bushings..($147.00 each....set me back $315.00). After I installed them, I STILL had the clunk JUST when driving over driveways (when WARM, not cold), or making a panic stop going front and then backwards.
Today, I went back to the alignment shop, and the owner stated that he had another GS like mine the friday before, and they fixed it by tightening EVERY bolt in the front end. Since it was slow this morning, he had a mechanic tighten every bolt/nut on the front end underneath....VOILA, it fixed it.
He explained that the front end is on a SUBFRAME. This subframe bolts to the chassis, and over time the bolts loosen, causing the subframe to move slightly back and forth as directions are changed and brakes applied. The mech tightened for 1/2 hour. They would not let me under the car while working, but he said that he tightened the sway bar bolts, stabilizer bolts, strut bolts, lower "A" frame bolts, rack and pinion bolts, and upper strut bolts BY HAND. No impacts. I was amazed at how smooth the car drives now.
I think I will check the bolts on a regular basis. I have been under that car SO many times lately, but missed this. I felt that it HAD to be a PART. I was down to the lower "A frame" bushings and the upper shock mounts. I was literally grabbing at straws. It detracted so much from the enjoyment of the car.
THE FUN IS BACK. Even in a panic stop, all I feel is the brakes grabbing.
What a lesson this has been. For those who have changed everything else like I did, give this a try. I wish you luck!
I took it to the alignment shop and trhey recomended the LOWER STABILIZER bushings..($147.00 each....set me back $315.00). After I installed them, I STILL had the clunk JUST when driving over driveways (when WARM, not cold), or making a panic stop going front and then backwards.
Today, I went back to the alignment shop, and the owner stated that he had another GS like mine the friday before, and they fixed it by tightening EVERY bolt in the front end. Since it was slow this morning, he had a mechanic tighten every bolt/nut on the front end underneath....VOILA, it fixed it.
He explained that the front end is on a SUBFRAME. This subframe bolts to the chassis, and over time the bolts loosen, causing the subframe to move slightly back and forth as directions are changed and brakes applied. The mech tightened for 1/2 hour. They would not let me under the car while working, but he said that he tightened the sway bar bolts, stabilizer bolts, strut bolts, lower "A" frame bolts, rack and pinion bolts, and upper strut bolts BY HAND. No impacts. I was amazed at how smooth the car drives now.
I think I will check the bolts on a regular basis. I have been under that car SO many times lately, but missed this. I felt that it HAD to be a PART. I was down to the lower "A frame" bushings and the upper shock mounts. I was literally grabbing at straws. It detracted so much from the enjoyment of the car.
THE FUN IS BACK. Even in a panic stop, all I feel is the brakes grabbing.
What a lesson this has been. For those who have changed everything else like I did, give this a try. I wish you luck!
If you think about it it does make HUGE sense, from memory (I could be wrong) the rack is bolted to the subframe, so if the subframe moves, the rack moves. The steering column is fixed so the body, so every time the frame moves it forces vibration up the column to the steering wheel!
Last edited by gs-ireland; 03-14-07 at 12:53 PM.
03-14-07, 01:43 PM
#9
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Hi all,
I had some looseness at high way speed but it's completely gone now. Here are the things that I did:
L-tuned Steering ECU
Eibach spring with Bilstein dampers
New Alignment
Tightened up steering pretensioner (done by my mechanics)
I had some looseness at high way speed but it's completely gone now. Here are the things that I did:
L-tuned Steering ECU
Eibach spring with Bilstein dampers
New Alignment
Tightened up steering pretensioner (done by my mechanics)
03-14-07, 02:22 PM
#10
From reading a lot of posts, the steering clunk at low speeds could be caused by 1 or more of the following:
1. Steering rack bushings
2. Loose subframe/shocks
3. Loose/worn suspension bushings
4. Bad ball-joints/tie-rods
5. Worn sway bar bushings ??
I have tried #1 & #4. I will try #2 this weekend before I even attempt #3 with daizen replacements.
anybody care to suggest a possible 6th suggestion?
1. Steering rack bushings
2. Loose subframe/shocks
3. Loose/worn suspension bushings
4. Bad ball-joints/tie-rods
5. Worn sway bar bushings ??
I have tried #1 & #4. I will try #2 this weekend before I even attempt #3 with daizen replacements.
anybody care to suggest a possible 6th suggestion?
Last edited by gs-ireland; 03-14-07 at 02:25 PM.
01-30-12, 03:10 PM
#11
I went from cut springs and stock shocks to Tein Flex's with rear RCA's and BFG KDW tires and my car feels like i'm driving on ice now. I've replaced inner and outer tie rods, all wheel bearings and it rides worse than ever. Almost dangerous on the interstate and it wore the inner sides of my rear tires out in 100 miles after an alignment
01-30-12, 03:32 PM
#12
Check ur LCA 1 & 2.
I went from cut springs and stock shocks to Tein Flex's with rear RCA's and BFG KDW tires and my car feels like i'm driving on ice now. I've replaced inner and outer tie rods, all wheel bearings and it rides worse than ever. Almost dangerous on the interstate and it wore the inner sides of my rear tires out in 100 miles after an alignment
01-31-12, 03:59 PM
#13
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
get Bimmer, all problems with steering suspension are solved.. I sold my 545i and got 2006 325i now, still happier with it then any Lexus I owned.. Love the Lexus quality, but not handling or road feel
01-31-12, 10:43 PM
#14
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Sry but I have driven an 2006 m3 and it's nothing like a lexus, bummer just feels really rough and hard onto road almost like a well built civic without rattle nothing like a luxurious Lexus
