caverman

Over the past couple years my LS has developed what I can best describe as a rubbing sound/feel in the steering wheel. It's not constant and seems to mostly happen at lower speeds when you only slightly turn left or right. I've been trying to research things but I'm not finding much with my specific issues. I did come across the PDF below about an intermediate shaft replacement but it's for an LS460. I'm betting it's a similar issue on the LS430 though. I'm not really sure where this is coming from so I hate to just start throwing parts at it without at least having a idea of what might be causing it. Has anyone had or heard of this issue and/or know of any posts I can look at to try to point me in a direction?

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...32126-9999.pdf

jimbosr1

Grease the knuckle at the end of the steering shaft at the floorboard .I use high temp ball bearing grease.

caverman

I read up some on this and I'm going to give it a try. Most posts I found say to use a Silicone lubricant but I'll try to see if someone has some ball bearing grease I can use a little bit of. That will be awesome if it works.

Update: Sprayed with some silicone white lithium grease and just quickly drove down the street. My issue might be a little better but it still didn't fix it from what I can tell. I'll be driving my car more later today to double check.

jimbosr1

When i put the grease on i put it on a little thick a cover it the best i can. i dont think the spray lube is as good as the grease.IMO
After you grease it turn the wheel several times back and forth then take it for a drive.

caverman

I will say after driving it more today the rubbing noise has lessened quite a bit it seems. Good news there is that it points me to something with the intermediate steering shaft instead of thinking it could be in the rack & pinion. I'll see if I can get a hold of some grease but I had the spray sitting on my shelf so it was quick and easy.

caverman

I'm thinking I'm going to have to replace my steering intermediate shaft. Priced one today at Lexus while I was picking up a part for my GS and they are $480. I'm torn on doing this one myself or taking it to my independent mechanic.

If anyone knows of a way to troubleshoot this and narrow it down to the intermediate shaft I would love to hear some steps I can take. I'm hoping I can figure out a way confirm that's the issue and not just toss money at parts, especially for that price, to have it not be the issue.

pmesfun

I can take a look. I'm in the DFW.

spineman

I had same issue in my GS 450h. From my research it's the SRS cable reel in the steering column. Taking it to the dealer next week unfortunately. My lane assist also quit working.

caverman

Are they going to replace your cable real? If so, let me know if it fixes it. I've already had to replace mine once and maybe that is the issue.

spineman

So, the issue is not the reel but the electric steering rack itself they say. $2500p&l ouch. I called corporate Lexus and they say there is no known problem with the steering rack, but my research on here denotes otherwise. Feel like a dummy but LKA was because my ezpass was blocking the camera. I thought cameras were only on Teslas lol

caverman

Are you talking about an LS430? I'm pretty sure they don't come with electric steering.

spineman

I'm sorry, not an LS. I have GS, but this was one of the threads I found
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HiPatrick

I have this issue as well. I think it has faintly quieted down? As I did grease that area that has been mentioned by a user. Sound is definitely still there, though. I was told by another user in a different forum that it is the intermediate shaft, he was fairly confident as well after he had seen the footage. There's a few videos of older ES / or Camry that have this issue, but a lot more worse, and the fix was silicone grease.