I just purchased a 2006 LS 430 CL with 88,000 miles. Steering tilt and extension not working. SLooked at the tilt first, thinking (hoping) it was a jammed up motor, so I looked into it and the tilt motor was jammed up, backed it off, applied some lithium grease and it's fine. Make sure you set to the steering wheel tilted all the way up. If you do it in the down tilt position, your range is only 1/2 inch vs 2 inches. The extension issue was not so easy... I think it's jammed up, but had no way to access the motor area without removing the panel near the airbag, which I wanted nothing to do with. So was able to manual extend to my prefered position and left it alone. Not planning to spend $500 for a new motor. Any thoughts on an easy way to access the extension motor, please let me know? Thanks

 

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...-write-up.html

Have you read this? Excellent write up.

 

Hi. Glad I helped with your headlight washer question. Maybe you can help me! My tilt motor is bad. As in no motion or sound, A couple of years ago I got a bit in summer. What do you mean backed it off, and set it up, vs down? Can it be moved manually when it appears jammed? Also not sure about the range of motion here but assuming it ties in to location of wheel once moved somehow.You are suggesting tilting it up for the grease to make a full-range fix? I am not mechanically experienced, but info to take to mechanic or try would help, vs $800+ for a new motor from dealer.

My number one concern is that I don't want to risk moving wheel to a bad position and having it stuck there while attempting but failing to fix it. But lithium grease sounds better than a new motor! Thanks.

 

Mine also made no sound or movement. By being jammed up, the screw part was tightly up against the stop. So it was locked or jammed. The process to get to the tilt motor is pretty easy and there are a couple of YouTube video. I removed the 2 screws holding the motor to the steering wheel. Then i unscrewed the motor. Because it was jammed against the stop, it took 2 hands, like taking off the top off a jar. It was still tight, so I sprayed lithium grease on the screw part and unscrewed it back and forth. The movement was now easy. Back up, after I removed the motor and backed off the stuck screw, I reconnecter the connector and saw the motor was still good. So I reassembled everything. If the motor didn’t work, you can reassemble to the height you want. Finally, if the motor is working , to reassemble full range, lift the steering wheel as high as it can go and then screw in motor to match the mounting holes. It helps to have an extra person for this.