cruiser99

It has been pretty windy here the last few days. The front end gets pushed around the road, and it becomes real squirrely with some gusts. I would think with the low cd and the GS being a heavy sedan, that it wouldn't be effected by the wind that much. The front end shakes left and right real bad. Does anyone else experience this, or do I need to change out my balljoints? I only have 66k miles on my 2001 GS430. I have never experienced this in any other car. My Land Cruiser might get pushed a little but the front end doesn't shake like this.

IAGS400

What are you running for tires and have you checked your tire pressure lately?

This happens to my 98 when I run my snow tires, but not with my Bridgestone PP's.

cruiser99

I am running Yokohama's on the stock 16" rims, tire pressure is fine. The car almost feels unstable with the wind around 70 mph. The front end will shake left and right several times and I have to make several corrections to go straight.

dung0981

iTrader: (1)

Check the hub bearing

analyze

Did you figure out the solution to the problem? I am experiencing the same thing. I expect to experience a little wind issues while driving. My infiniti I30 was much more stable.

Sexy_Lexy

I'm experiencing this as well but I know there's something worn on my suspension. I'm having it checked out so I'll let you know what I find out

analyze

Were you able to get any info? This is just really odd. In a strong steady wind, I have to reduce speed and oversteer. I did a quick check and pushed on the car front and back to check ball joints without the car bouncing.

DonericeN

somethings wrong i was driving back from vegas and the gusts were close to that bad and my car got pushed a bit but no shaking or anything like that

SeattleGS400

iTrader: (1)

How's your steering overall? That is, does it respond to your inputs? If you steer left, does it immediatly go left, or is there a little play before it actually goes left? Also, on the freeways, do you find yourself constantly correcting the car to go straight? Another thing to consider are your steering rack bushings--the OEM ones are rather soft and wear out semi-quickly.

There's 3 total steering rack bushings--the OEM ones are relatively cheap to replace (about $20-30 each). Here are part #'s:

Part P/N
Grommet housing (passenger side) 45517-30050 (you'll need 1)
Steering bushing (drivers side) 45516-30060 (you'll need 2)

It should take a tech about 1hr's labor (although, in actuality, closer to 30 minutes--about 11 bolts to take off). Search the forums on how this is done (it's for Daizen steering rack bushings), but same removal/replacement process.

Lastly, how is your 4-wheel alignment? If it's off, your car may be more susceptible to wind and road variations. Just some things to check...

SeattleGS400

iTrader: (1)

Over the past few years, esp. this past year, I noticed that I had to constantly adjust the steering wheel in a minor fashion to go straight. This was especially apparent at freeway speeds and/or with wind blowing my car.

I had my front ball joints replaced (probably non-related service issue) and had a full 4-wheel alignment done. I still had this issue. Nonetheless, I just had my 3 OEM steering rack bushings replaced (see part #'s above) and for $98 labor (tax and Lexus dealership shop fees included), my car's steering much truer and my freeway corrections are rather minimal. Granted, my car was 9 years old, and it was definitely due for them to be changed. The driving experience is a bit more enjoyable now that the car drives a bit more precisely on the roads and requiring minimal steering corrections to go straight ahead. Further, when cornering, the car seems a bit more consistent with making smoother turns holding the steering at a fixed position.