LC500 spontaneous frame crack (or something else?)
05-24-21 | 08:13 AM
#31
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Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 573
Likes: 472
From: New Mexico
I have a 2018 Structural Blue LC with 6K mile. I took it in about a year ago for the fuel tank recall. I assumed they had to remove the tank to replace the in tank pump.
However, ever since this repair, I've been hearing right side rear end noise especially when in reverse at low speeds. I haven't reported it to dealer yet, but am planning to visit dealer soon. Hopefully its not a damaged frame. Maybe just a loose tie down bolt.
However, ever since this repair, I've been hearing right side rear end noise especially when in reverse at low speeds. I haven't reported it to dealer yet, but am planning to visit dealer soon. Hopefully its not a damaged frame. Maybe just a loose tie down bolt.
1) To replace the tank fuel pump does NOT require the tank to be removed. The fuel pump is accessed after removing the rear seat. When the rear seat is removed the access panel to the fuel pump on the top of the fuel tank is all that must be removed. Relatively easy.
2) The LC500 is of unibody construction and does not have a frame as such.
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05-24-21 | 09:49 AM
#32
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Joined: May 2021
Posts: 722
Likes: 309
From: Georgia
FYI
1) To replace the tank fuel pump does NOT require the tank to be removed. The fuel pump is accessed after removing the rear seat. When the rear seat is removed the access panel to the fuel pump on the top of the fuel tank is all that must be removed. Relatively easy.
2) The LC500 is of unibody construction and does not have a frame as such.
1) To replace the tank fuel pump does NOT require the tank to be removed. The fuel pump is accessed after removing the rear seat. When the rear seat is removed the access panel to the fuel pump on the top of the fuel tank is all that must be removed. Relatively easy.
2) The LC500 is of unibody construction and does not have a frame as such.
05-24-21 | 12:10 PM
#33
06-12-23 | 07:53 PM
#35
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 1
Likes: 2
From: FL
Yes. I have the same issue and we figured it out.
I bought a used 2018 LC500 in Feb with 13,000mi on it. Reputable dealership, clean CarFax, and it aced its third-party professional inspection. Since I bought it I've noticed a "clop" sound coming from the driver's side rear wheel area on acceleration, braking and the occasional suspension compression (e.g. turning into a driveway) - at first I assumed something was rolling around in the trunk. The driver's side suspension on the left rear wheel also started squeaking whenever cycled.
The first time I brought it into my local Lexus dealership, they tightened down the control arms and some other accessible chassis parts and called it a day - this reduced the squeaking, but it soon returned. The "clop" never went away. So I brought the car back in and asked them to take another look. The service advisor came for a ride-along with me and verified the "clop" was there, and definitely not normal. They then spent about a week troubleshooting before declaring there must be a cracked pinch weld somewhere in the frame, and they needed to send it to a local body shop to pinpoint and fix it.
Almost a month later I have no updates, aside from there doesn't appear to be any indication the car has been in an accident - the crack must be deep within the unibody. My insurance device in the OBDII port says the body shop is operating the vehicle daily (probably just rolling it in and out of the bay to work on it). I've requested updates from the Lexus service advisory, and he just says "the body shop doesn't want to cut into your frame if they don't have to, so they're just taking their time to try to locate the issue." He hinted that he heard a couple other cases around the USA of LCs having similar frame issues. To be honest I'm growing frustrated - if I wanted a $100k car to be out for months at a time while I drive a rental I'd have gotten a Merc.
Anyone had experience with this? Any advice on how to handle it or what to expect from Lexus?
The first time I brought it into my local Lexus dealership, they tightened down the control arms and some other accessible chassis parts and called it a day - this reduced the squeaking, but it soon returned. The "clop" never went away. So I brought the car back in and asked them to take another look. The service advisor came for a ride-along with me and verified the "clop" was there, and definitely not normal. They then spent about a week troubleshooting before declaring there must be a cracked pinch weld somewhere in the frame, and they needed to send it to a local body shop to pinpoint and fix it.
Almost a month later I have no updates, aside from there doesn't appear to be any indication the car has been in an accident - the crack must be deep within the unibody. My insurance device in the OBDII port says the body shop is operating the vehicle daily (probably just rolling it in and out of the bay to work on it). I've requested updates from the Lexus service advisory, and he just says "the body shop doesn't want to cut into your frame if they don't have to, so they're just taking their time to try to locate the issue." He hinted that he heard a couple other cases around the USA of LCs having similar frame issues. To be honest I'm growing frustrated - if I wanted a $100k car to be out for months at a time while I drive a rental I'd have gotten a Merc.
Anyone had experience with this? Any advice on how to handle it or what to expect from Lexus?
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06-13-23 | 11:16 AM
#37
Pit Crew
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 161
Likes: 65
From: South East England
yes, it’s the bolt on top, that attaches the brace from the seat to the B pillar. It sums that the nut behind it, is loose. I’m just waiting for Lexus to find a certified body shop to be able to take it there, re weld it and we should be good to go. I have a video of the tech showing the loose but making the noise by taping on it halfway loose.
08-16-23 | 07:59 AM
#38
1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Clunk noise
I bought a used 2018 LC500 in Feb with 13,000mi on it. Reputable dealership, clean CarFax, and it aced its third-party professional inspection. Since I bought it I've noticed a "clop" sound coming from the driver's side rear wheel area on acceleration, braking and the occasional suspension compression (e.g. turning into a driveway) - at first I assumed something was rolling around in the trunk. The driver's side suspension on the left rear wheel also started squeaking whenever cycled.
The first time I brought it into my local Lexus dealership, they tightened down the control arms and some other accessible chassis parts and called it a day - this reduced the squeaking, but it soon returned. The "clop" never went away. So I brought the car back in and asked them to take another look. The service advisor came for a ride-along with me and verified the "clop" was there, and definitely not normal. They then spent about a week troubleshooting before declaring there must be a cracked pinch weld somewhere in the frame, and they needed to send it to a local body shop to pinpoint and fix it.
Almost a month later I have no updates, aside from there doesn't appear to be any indication the car has been in an accident - the crack must be deep within the unibody. My insurance device in the OBDII port says the body shop is operating the vehicle daily (probably just rolling it in and out of the bay to work on it). I've requested updates from the Lexus service advisory, and he just says "the body shop doesn't want to cut into your frame if they don't have to, so they're just taking their time to try to locate the issue." He hinted that he heard a couple other cases around the USA of LCs having similar frame issues. To be honest I'm growing frustrated - if I wanted a $100k car to be out for months at a time while I drive a rental I'd have gotten a Merc.
Anyone had experience with this? Any advice on how to handle it or what to expect from Lexus?
The first time I brought it into my local Lexus dealership, they tightened down the control arms and some other accessible chassis parts and called it a day - this reduced the squeaking, but it soon returned. The "clop" never went away. So I brought the car back in and asked them to take another look. The service advisor came for a ride-along with me and verified the "clop" was there, and definitely not normal. They then spent about a week troubleshooting before declaring there must be a cracked pinch weld somewhere in the frame, and they needed to send it to a local body shop to pinpoint and fix it.
Almost a month later I have no updates, aside from there doesn't appear to be any indication the car has been in an accident - the crack must be deep within the unibody. My insurance device in the OBDII port says the body shop is operating the vehicle daily (probably just rolling it in and out of the bay to work on it). I've requested updates from the Lexus service advisory, and he just says "the body shop doesn't want to cut into your frame if they don't have to, so they're just taking their time to try to locate the issue." He hinted that he heard a couple other cases around the USA of LCs having similar frame issues. To be honest I'm growing frustrated - if I wanted a $100k car to be out for months at a time while I drive a rental I'd have gotten a Merc.
Anyone had experience with this? Any advice on how to handle it or what to expect from Lexus?
09-03-23 | 10:19 AM
#39
Pit Crew
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 182
Likes: 39
From: KS
Any updates? Is knocking issue fixed? I have something similar but still not quite sure what it is. I have a convertible and knocking sound I can hear when top is up. And sound is not predictable. Most of the time it happens on a low speed and during turn. But sometimes it happens when I come to my driveway and almost stop to not scratch front bumper and then I can hear double knock which is weird. So sometimes I think maybe it is something in the gas tank bouncing. If you have an exact place could you share it, thanks.
09-03-23 | 12:56 PM
#40
Pit Crew
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 161
Likes: 65
From: South East England
Taking mine in for the third time tomorrow (4th September) and Lexus claim they now know what causes the knock. Apparently the fix involves removing numerous bolts around the rear end and greasing them before re-installing. Obviously, I will find out more when I drop the car into the dealer and sometime on Wednesday I should be able to confirm whether the "fix" worked or not.
09-06-23 | 12:00 PM
#41
Pit Crew
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 161
Likes: 65
From: South East England
Picked up the car this evening (Wednesday) and drove away without the usual click/knock. Braked too and again silence was truly golden.
It seems the solution was pretty much what has been previously mentioned on this forum. The brace that runs across the car just under the passenger seats is/was the culprit. I could clearly see from the very brief viewing I had of the "technical fix", that the three bolts securing each end of the brace had to be removed and grease applied between its ends and the same applied to the 3 bolts. Additionally, there were two other steel fabrications probably about 16 inches in length and which I believe are in turn connected to the brace that also had to be lubed along with their respective bolting. Unfortunately from what I saw and the cutaway drawing I have, I couldn't say for sure where these parts are! I suspect inboard of the brace ends. Importantly, all of these works were done inside the car, nothing external is implicated.
I'll pore through various documents to see if I can find the additional fabrications and advise accordingly, assuming I can locate them!
The weather here right now is warm/hot and I really need some cooler temperatures to be sure but during the course of tomorrow I have a 70 mile round journey to make and this should confirm it's problem solved!
It seems the solution was pretty much what has been previously mentioned on this forum. The brace that runs across the car just under the passenger seats is/was the culprit. I could clearly see from the very brief viewing I had of the "technical fix", that the three bolts securing each end of the brace had to be removed and grease applied between its ends and the same applied to the 3 bolts. Additionally, there were two other steel fabrications probably about 16 inches in length and which I believe are in turn connected to the brace that also had to be lubed along with their respective bolting. Unfortunately from what I saw and the cutaway drawing I have, I couldn't say for sure where these parts are! I suspect inboard of the brace ends. Importantly, all of these works were done inside the car, nothing external is implicated.
I'll pore through various documents to see if I can find the additional fabrications and advise accordingly, assuming I can locate them!
The weather here right now is warm/hot and I really need some cooler temperatures to be sure but during the course of tomorrow I have a 70 mile round journey to make and this should confirm it's problem solved!
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microsup (09-06-23)
09-06-23 | 02:53 PM
#43
Pit Crew
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 161
Likes: 65
From: South East England
I've attached a structural pic that I downloaded from this site which pretty well identified the problem some months ago.
Obviously, I will post tomorrow to confirm the outcome.
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snowsenses (09-06-23)
03-20-24 | 04:18 PM
#44
Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 97
Likes: 43
From: WA
Resurrecting an older thread to see if any others have been successful in getting this rear-seat area squeak fixed by Lexus, or maybe even via DIY? I'm tempted to start removing the back seats but am not sure how to do that...
I just purchased a 2018 LC and noticed that I have a similar squeak coming from the rear of the car, which also had the fuel pump replaced which is in the same area.
@Brinylon @microsup
I just purchased a 2018 LC and noticed that I have a similar squeak coming from the rear of the car, which also had the fuel pump replaced which is in the same area.
@Brinylon @microsup
03-20-24 | 09:52 PM
#45
Pit Crew
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 182
Likes: 39
From: KS
Mine is not a squeak, more like a soft knock. I have a convertible, not a coupe, so convertibles have a little different issue. I dint have a chance to investigate more, waiting for a better weather to start driving daily. So far what I found it is really hard to reproduce, but at the same time sort of predictable. Only happens on low speed at sharp turn like 90 degrees, usually happens if you turn one way then other way, if you turn like sharp right and again sharp right, no knock. Sometimes after approaching to driveway and almost stop before getting over the edge I can hear 2 knocks. So it is very strange, but not desperately annoying. If I have top down the knock very hard to hear.