tecman

Interesting, so hit or miss on your purchased GX, you may have the vibration.... I don't recall this coming up before seems like with the odds you posted that it would have. So basically, live with it is the Lexus answer?

oubobcat

The message from the dealer is that the vibe is common to both the current and prior model GX. Also per the dealer, the fix is not 100% and resonance will not cause a problem or effect durability. The recommendation to not throw parts at it was made and I agreed. That is why i asked for the service ticket documenting the finding and the recommendation.

What i suspect is that Lexus knew about the vibe and took a calculated risk in not fixing it. The vibe shows up in 5th gear, at 2200-2400 rpm. If the vehicle is in D it will never sit on that point. It was only while passing through that speed/gear while merging that I noticed it, and even then, I wouldn't say I could pick it up 100% of the time. If towing an appreciable load, even if we select 5th gear and run at that speed, the load on the power train will move the resonance so I bet we don't feel it.

I'm guessing Lexus looked at the probability of someone sitting on point and decided not to update the design.

Acrad

Leaving for a 150 mile drive in a couple hours... gonna see if I can feel in mine.


EDIT: Unfortunately didn't get a chance to test since caught in heavy traffic and major rain the entire drive.

orlexi

Thanks for the info. I have the same concern that this could affect the reliability of the car, glad to know that it is not. I could easily sustain that parameter 2300 RPM at 5th gear when going on an incline on a freeway.

User21c

I also have this issue...
2015 GX Lux w/ 33k.... I hate it.... it happens when I go up hills, which I do a lot. I stay in "D", but it makes sense the car downshifts to 5th. I reproduced it today going to "5s". (Sport Shift)

It's an oscillation at about 1.5 times per second. Feels almost like something is rubbing, or a tire vibration, you can feel it in the gas pedal as well. My Trooper (Acura SLX) was smoother, and it bothers me in a car that Lexus claims has a "stethoscope taken to the engine to assure precision tolerances and balance"... (Really! The brochure says that!)

Is this what you're referring to, or something else?
I was kind of hoping a tire rotation might resolve it, but it sounds like that's not the root cause at all....

oubobcat

That is exactly what I'm referring to and I completely agree that it sounds/feels like something is rubbing. I had my tires rotated, no resolution, which prompted the return trip to the dealer.

There are options the dealer could take to change the mode or eliminate it.

User21c

Looks like it was a problem on the 470 as well, and still persists.
Here's the TSB:
http://www.justanswer.com/uploads/sn...gx_droan_1.pdf

I was really hoping it was just the Kuhmo tires that the CPO provided...

Acrad

Looking at that TSB.. the damper weight option for the 55-65MPH vibration looks like a simple bolt on and only .5 hour shop time. The 70+ is far more invasive with the TC chain replacement.

oubobcat

WOW! Thanks for posting this TSB. No wonder the Services Foreman said to just say no to a new Tcase chain! I'm going to let it ride and not worry about it. I'd rather not have this maintenance completed and live with the vibe vs. the level of disassembly required.

bbqsoup

I tried to reproduce this on two occasions tonight and couldn't. I kept the RPM around 2200-2400 in 5th gear with the speed around 72-73mph but couldn't feel any vibration. Does it happen every time?

Chadr12

My GX has developed a bad vibration at highway speeds. Tires have been replaced and balanced by dealer. This is my 2nd GX and both developedthe problem ~80,000 miles. Suggestions?

DallasDave

iTrader: (1)

It sounds like you could have a bent wheel. I would have expected that the Dealer would have noticed it when balancing the tires, but who knows. Perhaps they weren't paying attention. If the problem was occurring with a previous set of tires, and now again with a new set of tires...my guess would be one of the wheels. Just to make certain, it is NOT when you are applying the brakes right? That would suggest something else.

Sounds like time to try another place/shop (NTB, Discount Tire, etc.).

Dallasguy1

I had this problem in my GS and the tire guy told me wheel was bent at the first time even though it was a small shop. On our GXs I can't imagine the wheel being bent considering the tire profile being huge but you never know. I usually goto this place where they do mounting/balancing plus wheel repairs aswell so as soon as there is any problem they catch it right away to make more money but I don't mind since the ride quality is not sacrificed.

Acrad

OP: What year GX? If not balance or rim it could be steering rack or Transfer Case as well. IIRC...Steering Rack limited to '10-
13. There is a TSB.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-...ering+rack+TSB

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-...t-shaking.html

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-...-at-68mph.html

Mmarkel

My wife has a LX 470 and is having the same issues she has had it alignment multiple times. Just had new tire put on, new brakes on all four wheels, and bearings repacked. Drove home from the Lexus dealer this morning and steering wheel is shaking more then before she took it in.