sunamer

yeah, if it was some form of mechanical binding, I would expect it to be a lot more consistent and frequent.

kj07xk

Guess I'll jump in here too, 2014 IS 350 AWD, with the same symptoms. Long straight stretch of highway, usually doing 80+ MPH, when highway takes a slight bend, the car doesn't want to turn. Takes more than the normal fingertip pressure to get the steering wheel to budge, definitely a 'stuck in a notch' feeling.
Once 'freed', it doesn't reoccur for awhile. Maybe happens 1-2 times per 2 hour highway drive. After the first occurrence, I find myself giving the wheel a periodic jiggle, just to see if it is still free. Then I forget about it until I find it 'stuck' again.
Often wonder if its a 'heat transfer' thing. The heat from the engine and wheels is transferring to some other component, maybe the steering rack, and causing lubrication to flow out of some area, causing it to 'stick' when movement is attempted. Once it does move, that area again gets lubricated, and so it doesn't stick again, until allowed to be motionless on another long straight stretch.
Symptom doesn't occur in city driving, as more turns occur, keeping that 'thing' lubricated.
Might be interesting to sit with the car in 'P', run the engine at 2-2.5K RPM for 15-20 minutes, and then see if the steering wheel feels 'stuck', just to see if engine heat affects it.
If not, putting the car on a lift, and do the same thing in 'D', although the suspension components are now unweighted, unlike real world driving.
The first time this occurred, was more than a bit unnerving.
I don't recall this happening before I installed the FIGS LCAs, but I also now drive faster since installing them, as fast deceleration on the OEM LCAs was just scary, as the car was squirrelly and wanted to wander all over when braking from 90 to 60, when some idiot pulls out in front of you.

s3v3n

iTrader: (3)

These might fall to two different issues.
1. Steering locking on certain speeds/timeframe.
2. Weak suspension parts when braking - on my experience, the car steers to the left that I have to hold the steering wheel tight and turn it back straight.


For #1, I guess I never had this issue in the first place (but may have been related to it) for mine only locks out, or should I say becomes stubborn when the LDA activates. Still a concern since the car steers to the right or left on its own. Disabling LDA fixed it for my car.

#2 was eliminated completely by installing USRS.

For those who doesn't have LDA, then it's gotta be something to do with the main topic.

kj07xk

No LDA on my IS.
As far as wander on deceleration, the FIGS cured that (would previously wander both left and right, needed to grip the wheel tightly to keep it straight).

arentz07

Yeah I think braking issues are unrelated to the highway-speed steering issue, and could be described as inherent or "normal" unless you have aftermarket/RC F bushings.

sunamer

yeah, wandering feel is related to LCA bushings being too soft, which deflect under heavy braking. That initial moment of potentially uneven deflection on left and right LCA bushings will create uneven (left vs right) toe out on each front wheel, which will pull the car to one side. And as deflection increases (until those bushings are set in their deflected position) this uneven constantly changing toe out on each wheel will create that wandering feel and it would make the car pull to either left or right.

lexasMike

Hi, I recently got a Lexus GS 350 and am also running into that issue without lane keep assist, we’re you able to get it fixed by any chance

Pocketcity

I recently purchased a used 2015 GS350 AWD F-Sport in November 2020. I put it on the hwy for the first time back in May 2021 and the steering did the same exact thing. I was on the Pennsylvania Turnpike coming out of a left curve and the steering would not release back to the center. So at 80mph I had to force the steering straight. I thought it was me so I asked my wife to confirm and she felt the same thing. It only happens when going left and around 80mph. Since my car is used and I’m probably out of warranty range at 76K miles. What should be my next move in getting this fixed? It’s clearly a defect but I haven’t found any recalls for it.

arentz07

Have you tried resetting the ECU (i.e., disconnect battery terminals for 30 minutes)? I would try that before going to a shop or looking to have the steering gear rack replaced a la the thread starter.

Mythreecar

I have had this issue almost since new with my 2013 GS CCould never get a straight answer from Lexus They csay they cant replicate the issue
Just the other day took a trip with the freeway traffic going 75 80 and the notchy steering appeared. I noticed for tdhe first time that by dropping to 65 the issue disappeared.

spineman

Well, this issue has been happening to me starting this year in 13 GS 450h. It first started when really cold outside. Then the "catching" as ya'll describe above. Most recently I starting getting a scraping sound at steering wheel. I figured it was the clock spring or SRS reel as many people have posted. Finally took it to Lexus and...of course....it needs a new steering rack. $2500 installed. Ouch! I asked if they could rebuild it and of course they can only replace. Still awaiting the part and driving a ES 300h loaner. That car makes me miss the GS big time.

Pocketcity

@spineman That’s terrible! That’s a defect with the GS and they know it. Smh

spineman

I think I may try to talk to lexus corporate

arentz07

Welp, I have been in denial about this, but I think my 2021 IS 350 has this issue as well. I'd say about 6-8 times on my over-four-hour drive yesterday, I had this issue happen out at highway speeds, i.e. 65-75 MPH. Specifically, the steering wheel would feel notchy or sticky just off-center to the left. The easiest way for me to replicate the problem was to perform a lane change to the left. I never had the issue when going right. Any ideas? I was about to schedule an alignment and request them to do a zero point calibration but unsure if that would be overkill.

davidtth

It seems like i'm not alone, perhaps it could be just toyota thing, my dad camry does have this catchy thing even on city drive occasionally.

had ordered GS F bush and waiting to install see if it does help.