Steering Wheel Vibration
#17
Intermediate
iTrader: (1)
Don't use a steering damper as a "fix", it is to be used as an improvement. There is obviously something wrong with your IS. Adding a damper might make it harder to find. If you want a damper, add it AFTER you fix the problem.
Does the problem disappear when you tap the brakes? Is it worse while braking? More detail is needed. Steering wheel vibration at speed is typically not related to your brakes.
Start with the easy and cheap stuff first and work your way from there...
- tire air pressure
- tire tread
- alignment
- wheel balancing
- inspect the steering rack (maybe something isn't bolted down correctly?)
- "hard" suspension issues incl. ball joints, steering knuckles, bearings, etc.
Does the problem disappear when you tap the brakes? Is it worse while braking? More detail is needed. Steering wheel vibration at speed is typically not related to your brakes.
Start with the easy and cheap stuff first and work your way from there...
- tire air pressure
- tire tread
- alignment
- wheel balancing
- inspect the steering rack (maybe something isn't bolted down correctly?)
- "hard" suspension issues incl. ball joints, steering knuckles, bearings, etc.
#19
Moderator
iTrader: (10)
Sounds like what had happened on my GF's Mitsu. Did the vibrations start after the alignment, or just all of a sudden while driving? What had happened to my GF's car was she must have hit a massive pothole and damaged the inner machined lip of her aluminum 17s.
But in your case you said you had taken it in for new tires. They should have said something if they noticed a bent/badly curbed rim. Hmmmmmmm, perhaps double checking the bolts holding the caliper? How many miles on those rotors...are they the OE rotors?
But in your case you said you had taken it in for new tires. They should have said something if they noticed a bent/badly curbed rim. Hmmmmmmm, perhaps double checking the bolts holding the caliper? How many miles on those rotors...are they the OE rotors?
#20
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: WI
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My money is also on the bent rims. I don't do a whole lot of hwy driving and found out when I put my snows on two were bent (blamed the ex). It doesn't take much to make it out-of-round. Wheel bearings also make a loud noise that gains in pitch the faster you go. I would imagine at 80mph it would be deafening.
#21
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: So Cal
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I had the same thing happen to my IS300. It was the wheel bearings in my case.
If that is the same case for you, make sure to take it to someone who uses the proper Lexus equipment to remove and fix it, some of the local mechanics that I had used in the past (trying to save a few bucks) did not own that equipment, and the problem kept returning. Eventually I took it into Lexus and they did the proper fix. Cost me about 170 bucks. Hopefully I wont ever have to have it re fixed again.
If that is the same case for you, make sure to take it to someone who uses the proper Lexus equipment to remove and fix it, some of the local mechanics that I had used in the past (trying to save a few bucks) did not own that equipment, and the problem kept returning. Eventually I took it into Lexus and they did the proper fix. Cost me about 170 bucks. Hopefully I wont ever have to have it re fixed again.
#22
Driver
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: CT
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
im going to bring the car to the dealership tomorrow to have a tech drive it. its making me go nuts. it vibrates excessively when i reach 80 mph. then when i let off the gas from 80 its continues. braking doesnt add to it.
i noticed it when i brought the car in for service. i think i got used to it and after driving a loaner my car felt like crap. how much do wheel bearings cost to fix?
i noticed it when i brought the car in for service. i think i got used to it and after driving a loaner my car felt like crap. how much do wheel bearings cost to fix?
#24
Driver
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: CT
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
whoever guessed bent rims would be correct...my rear driver side wheel is done. dealership wanted nearly 600 for one wheel. decided to use a junkyard who found me a wheel in good shape for 225. i figure if the scratches bother me ill drop 80 to 100 to have the wheels refinished and i am still on top 300.
#25
Moderator
iTrader: (10)
What do I win? LOL!
Bummer about the rim, but I have a similar fate actually. I was at Discount Tire still past Tuesday and they said I had a slightly bent rear rim. They did really good on balancing it up to 70 mph...but at 75 and above you start to feel the feedback in the dead pedal and the floor board a little.
I as well will be looking for a new rear OEM 18" rim.
Bummer about the rim, but I have a similar fate actually. I was at Discount Tire still past Tuesday and they said I had a slightly bent rear rim. They did really good on balancing it up to 70 mph...but at 75 and above you start to feel the feedback in the dead pedal and the floor board a little.
I as well will be looking for a new rear OEM 18" rim.
whoever guessed bent rims would be correct...my rear driver side wheel is done. dealership wanted nearly 600 for one wheel. decided to use a junkyard who found me a wheel in good shape for 225. i figure if the scratches bother me ill drop 80 to 100 to have the wheels refinished and i am still on top 300.
#28
Driver
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: CT
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
yes hub centric rings do not exist on stock rims.
#29
Driver
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: CT
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What do I win? LOL!
Bummer about the rim, but I have a similar fate actually. I was at Discount Tire still past Tuesday and they said I had a slightly bent rear rim. They did really good on balancing it up to 70 mph...but at 75 and above you start to feel the feedback in the dead pedal and the floor board a little.
I as well will be looking for a new rear OEM 18" rim.
Bummer about the rim, but I have a similar fate actually. I was at Discount Tire still past Tuesday and they said I had a slightly bent rear rim. They did really good on balancing it up to 70 mph...but at 75 and above you start to feel the feedback in the dead pedal and the floor board a little.
I as well will be looking for a new rear OEM 18" rim.
#30
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
See here for more about the warped rotor myth and what the problem really is (and how to avoid it)
http://www.stoptech.com/tech_info/wp...rakedisk.shtml