03 GX470 new owner with questions on common problems
08-12-11, 08:15 AM
#1
03 GX470 new owner with questions on common problems
Hi to all members,
I just bought my first Lexus, fully loaded with all possible option that came in 2003 BUT 256K miles on it and broken timing belt and bend valves for $2,500.
After spending $900 for used set of heads, water pump, all new timing components, plugs, filters, fluids and serpentine belt installed on my own, it fired right up and runs smoother then I ever thought.
Drives nice and to my surprise feels better then my ML320. I have all the records from day one but some common issues were never taking care of.
Way passed warranty but confident to work on any of these fine machines, I would like to get some guidents and help here, if I may.
Problems that I have most of you guys went through, I bet.
1. Door locks (intermitent or not working at all) need to know what actuator motor fits GX locks before I take them apart? Mabushi FC or Johnson KF part number would help.
2. Vibration in steering and floor board in speeds between 55-70 mph
One front wheel bearing was recently replaced but I believe my issue is front differential dynamic damper (anyone has experience with performing TSIB number ST004-04 and its effectivness or DL001-08 was ever done on your vehicle)?
3. Famous rear driveshaft clunk while comming to complete stop or after releasing brake on takeoff. I did regrease all U-joints and both shafts but did not help much. can someone see the actual difference between new revised and old driveshaft assembly?
Thanks in advance for any help.
Happy GX-ing!
Bernard
I just bought my first Lexus, fully loaded with all possible option that came in 2003 BUT 256K miles on it and broken timing belt and bend valves for $2,500.
After spending $900 for used set of heads, water pump, all new timing components, plugs, filters, fluids and serpentine belt installed on my own, it fired right up and runs smoother then I ever thought.
Drives nice and to my surprise feels better then my ML320. I have all the records from day one but some common issues were never taking care of.
Way passed warranty but confident to work on any of these fine machines, I would like to get some guidents and help here, if I may.
Problems that I have most of you guys went through, I bet.
1. Door locks (intermitent or not working at all) need to know what actuator motor fits GX locks before I take them apart? Mabushi FC or Johnson KF part number would help.
2. Vibration in steering and floor board in speeds between 55-70 mph
One front wheel bearing was recently replaced but I believe my issue is front differential dynamic damper (anyone has experience with performing TSIB number ST004-04 and its effectivness or DL001-08 was ever done on your vehicle)?
3. Famous rear driveshaft clunk while comming to complete stop or after releasing brake on takeoff. I did regrease all U-joints and both shafts but did not help much. can someone see the actual difference between new revised and old driveshaft assembly?
Thanks in advance for any help.
Happy GX-ing!
Bernard
08-12-11, 02:05 PM
#2
Instructor
Hi to all members,
I just bought my first Lexus, fully loaded with all possible option that came in 2003 BUT 256K miles on it and broken timing belt and bend valves for $2,500.
After spending $900 for used set of heads, water pump, all new timing components, plugs, filters, fluids and serpentine belt installed on my own, it fired right up and runs smoother then I ever thought.
Drives nice and to my surprise feels better then my ML320. I have all the records from day one but some common issues were never taking care of.
Way passed warranty but confident to work on any of these fine machines, I would like to get some guidents and help here, if I may.
Problems that I have most of you guys went through, I bet.
1. Door locks (intermitent or not working at all) need to know what actuator motor fits GX locks before I take them apart? Mabushi FC or Johnson KF part number would help.
2. Vibration in steering and floor board in speeds between 55-70 mph
One front wheel bearing was recently replaced but I believe my issue is front differential dynamic damper (anyone has experience with performing TSIB number ST004-04 and its effectivness or DL001-08 was ever done on your vehicle)?
3. Famous rear driveshaft clunk while comming to complete stop or after releasing brake on takeoff. I did regrease all U-joints and both shafts but did not help much. can someone see the actual difference between new revised and old driveshaft assembly?
Thanks in advance for any help.
Happy GX-ing!
Bernard
I just bought my first Lexus, fully loaded with all possible option that came in 2003 BUT 256K miles on it and broken timing belt and bend valves for $2,500.
After spending $900 for used set of heads, water pump, all new timing components, plugs, filters, fluids and serpentine belt installed on my own, it fired right up and runs smoother then I ever thought.
Drives nice and to my surprise feels better then my ML320. I have all the records from day one but some common issues were never taking care of.
Way passed warranty but confident to work on any of these fine machines, I would like to get some guidents and help here, if I may.
Problems that I have most of you guys went through, I bet.
1. Door locks (intermitent or not working at all) need to know what actuator motor fits GX locks before I take them apart? Mabushi FC or Johnson KF part number would help.
2. Vibration in steering and floor board in speeds between 55-70 mph
One front wheel bearing was recently replaced but I believe my issue is front differential dynamic damper (anyone has experience with performing TSIB number ST004-04 and its effectivness or DL001-08 was ever done on your vehicle)?
3. Famous rear driveshaft clunk while comming to complete stop or after releasing brake on takeoff. I did regrease all U-joints and both shafts but did not help much. can someone see the actual difference between new revised and old driveshaft assembly?
Thanks in advance for any help.
Happy GX-ing!
Bernard
08-13-11, 09:08 AM
#5
Welcome! You have mechanics skills more than must of us here - you pretty much did a minor engine overhaul.
Your GX is 'leading the field' in terms of age and miles. If you have all the records - how about posting a recap of the significant work / repairs it took to get that far. It would be kind of a road map for the rest of us that are planning to keep our GXs for a long time.
Happy GX'ing
Bob
Your GX is 'leading the field' in terms of age and miles. If you have all the records - how about posting a recap of the significant work / repairs it took to get that far. It would be kind of a road map for the rest of us that are planning to keep our GXs for a long time.
Happy GX'ing
Bob
08-13-11, 09:00 PM
#6
Thanks guys,
I have seen few posts and it looks like man777 is "the man" to go to in GX knowlidge field.
Yes, I do have Mobil1 5W30 full synthetic oil in it not, and it will be on it for period of my ownership or I will use Mobil1 0W40 European formula in it, as that is the only oil I use in my Mercedes ML and I have 186K on it now with zero oil consuption between 8K miles oil changes.
First owner was mayor of West Chicago till 50K on it, not much work done to it, evaporator coil for rear AC replaced in fist two weeks because of refrigerant leak.
Second owner, my coworker had the first timing belt done at 89K, just belt nothing else.
Front brake calipers at good will from dealer at 120K, battery at 180K in 2009, front left axle boots and wheel bearing at 200K. Lock actuators on front doors were going bad after 100K but declined to be replaced at dealer's high cost. Both low beam headlight bulbs but many front turn signal bulbs went bad (maybe just a bad connection between socket and bulb). Otherwise pretty good for 8 years of daily useage.
It looks like all the door actuators are acting up, so I am ready to attack them as soon as I find out the correct 12V motor model, if someone here had it open yet.
Driveshaft is original, I was quoted yesterday at my local Lexus $288 for new version.
Front differencial dynamic damper is $80, so I will see if that one will take care of the front end vibration at speeds between 50-65mph.
I will try to load pictures but I don't think forum's new policy will let me do that for the first 30 posts or 30 days on here.
Regards, Bernard
I have seen few posts and it looks like man777 is "the man" to go to in GX knowlidge field.
Yes, I do have Mobil1 5W30 full synthetic oil in it not, and it will be on it for period of my ownership or I will use Mobil1 0W40 European formula in it, as that is the only oil I use in my Mercedes ML and I have 186K on it now with zero oil consuption between 8K miles oil changes.
First owner was mayor of West Chicago till 50K on it, not much work done to it, evaporator coil for rear AC replaced in fist two weeks because of refrigerant leak.
Second owner, my coworker had the first timing belt done at 89K, just belt nothing else.
Front brake calipers at good will from dealer at 120K, battery at 180K in 2009, front left axle boots and wheel bearing at 200K. Lock actuators on front doors were going bad after 100K but declined to be replaced at dealer's high cost. Both low beam headlight bulbs but many front turn signal bulbs went bad (maybe just a bad connection between socket and bulb). Otherwise pretty good for 8 years of daily useage.
It looks like all the door actuators are acting up, so I am ready to attack them as soon as I find out the correct 12V motor model, if someone here had it open yet.
Driveshaft is original, I was quoted yesterday at my local Lexus $288 for new version.
Front differencial dynamic damper is $80, so I will see if that one will take care of the front end vibration at speeds between 50-65mph.
I will try to load pictures but I don't think forum's new policy will let me do that for the first 30 posts or 30 days on here.
Regards, Bernard
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08-14-11, 07:02 AM
#8
Driver School Candidate
It's comforting to know that I might be able to get a 1/4 of A MILLION MILES out of our 04 GX!!! Just one more reason I'm glad I talked my wife into a GX over an Acadia.
08-18-11, 08:38 PM
#11
Yes, just yesterday take apart every single door lock and clean the armature of each actuator motor, since only one (driver side rear) was working with remote.
Now every click lock and every double click will unlock it nicely.
I wonder how many lock assemblies ended up replaced and in the garbage just because of carbon dust build up on commutator from using too soft of a carbon brush.
Locks are made by Aisin, little 12V actuator motors are Made in China for them.
Next thing will be driveshaft replacement to get rid off the clunk, or I will first take it apart to see what is failing on them, design or material. Now I got 256555 miles on it.
Bernard
Now every click lock and every double click will unlock it nicely.
I wonder how many lock assemblies ended up replaced and in the garbage just because of carbon dust build up on commutator from using too soft of a carbon brush.
Locks are made by Aisin, little 12V actuator motors are Made in China for them.
Next thing will be driveshaft replacement to get rid off the clunk, or I will first take it apart to see what is failing on them, design or material. Now I got 256555 miles on it.
Bernard
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