Organized Garage Status

Sounds more like you need a transmission flush rather than just greasing the driveshafts. I would highly recommend doing a drain and refill rather than hooking it up to a machine for a complete flush.

levinsoy

So question...why wouldn't the lexus dealer have recommended that or performed that service? Should I go back to them or go to a specialty shop like AAMCO to get that done? Finally, why a drain and flush and not a complete flush?

Thanks in advance gents.

co4wheel

Do s complete flush. The dealer is in the business of making money. Some have that as a higher priority then serving the real needs of a customer. The flush may or may not solve the issue. It's hard to know. But replacing all the fluid won't hurt.

levinsoy

Based on everyone's recommendations, I reached back out to the dealer and asked about getting the transmission flush done and received the following answer...they do not recommend a transmission flush as it will make my issue worst. In their experience it will make my issue worst because there are metal shavings already in the fluid so by putting in the new transmission fluid it will clean it out more and create more shaving metal causing it to get in the gears and it will cause the transmission to slip more.

I'm not a transmission expert but that sounded like some BS to me. Thoughts?

Finally, the dealer also said that they recommended the transmission flush on my 2004 GX470 to be done every 60k miles.

ALAN553

I was told by my Lexus dealer, because I did my first fluid change early, like at 50,000 miles the chance of a total flush at 150,000 causing damage, i.e. metal shavings getting stuck somewhere, would be minimal. The only recommend he power flush on trucks that have been maintained more frequently, especially those that tow and follow shorter service interval.

chiph9

The "causing more shavings" doesn't make sense to me unless they run their flush pump through the system backwards (i.e. against the filter direction).

If that is a concern of theirs, they should have said "We can do that, if we also change the internal filter to remove any existing shavings it has caught"
Which will be about a $700 bill. But still way better than a transmission replacement.

Checking the parts diagram -

http://www.lexussouthatlantaparts.co...rimLevel=19100

Changing the filter ("strainer") means they removed the pan, and the valve body gets exposed, which is where the solenoids are located. They might be able to have room to replace the solenoid(s) without unbolting it (20 bolts plus o-rings), but if they do remove it the accumulator pistons might also fall out (I don't have the knowledge to say either way).

I would get a quote from a reputable transmission shop and ask what your options are.

Chip H.

co4wheel

So drop the pan and drain all the fluid and the shavings (which I think it unlikely) are GONE. Isn't that a improvement? I call BS. Take it to the Toyota Dealer. I bet they know how to do this.

Htony

Metal shaving floating around in the fluid is good? Sounds absurd to me.

LoneHiker

That's a crooked dealer, never return to them, seriously. Too many people on this forum rely on dealers out of their fear of the unknown. There are tons of shops that specialize in Toyota (which is what our GX really is) and can do a proper flush with no problem.

I did my flush myself and documented the process here:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-...er-change.html

Organized Garage Status

I think the dealer is getting fluid flush and drain and refill mixed up. That's what I mentioned earlier about just doing a drain and refill repeatedly until the fluid that comes out is clean and clear, rather than hooking it up to a machine and getting it pressurized to flush the system.

But to be honest, I just noticed that yours is an 04, I believe if you do a little bit of research on this subject, until 05 the GX's had trannys that give out at this mileage. Just my opinion though, doing a maintenance like transmission flush is still a good start than replacing it completely.

co4wheel

They went to a sealed (non dip stick) tranny in o4. Besides that and the crappy WS fluid they are the same. Never heard they are more troublesome and I researched a lot.

bbrowncods

You have several options. If it were mine I would do these things in the following order (easiest to expensive):
1. Grease propeller shafts and U-Joints.
2. Drain and refill with 12 quarts of fluid. Don't flush. Not because of metal flakes but because I don't think it removes enough of the old fluid.
3. Have a transmission shop do a tune-up. I am not a trans expert but I know there are band adjustments, solenoid adjustments, etc. that can be done.
4. If none of that works - live with it until you NEED to buy a new one. Even then you have options. Buying a "rebuilt" from the dealer is the most expensive. Look at having yours rebuilt or even getting one from a parts yard (with warranty) that is low mileage.

NTH

That explanation by the dealer is total horse ****!

levinsoy

So I had the transmission fluid changed and it was so bad that my local shop who employs a few Lexus certified mechanics said they wanted to drain and fill a second time cause the fluid was that dirty. While there I had them replace the diff fluid and spark plugs also. Seems like the transmission fluid was never replaced. Thanks everybody for the assistance, I greatly appreciated.

EddieK05

So did it fix your issue?