RX - 2nd Gen (2004-2009) Discussion topics related to the 2004 -2009 RX330, RX350 and RX400H models

shaking steering wheel

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Old 05-28-22, 06:32 PM
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matts6887
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Default shaking steering wheel

I have a bit of a issue that has come up yet again; whenever i hit bumps just driving down a normal road my steering wheel shakes violently for a few seconds. my service manager at my indy shop just down the street told me my lower front control arms are starting to wear out along with the bushings but he said the bushings dont need replacing yet plus the fact it would be 1000 plus bucks and 3-4 hours to do.. so can it be the control arms causing this or something else? tia
Old 05-28-22, 06:58 PM
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DennisMik
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Worn out control arm bushings, the kind that allow you to wiggle the arm/wheel, usually cause the car to wander back and forth across the road, not cause wheel vibration.

Also, A $1000 to replace two $100 control arms? I really question that.

But exactly what is causing the wheel vibration has multiple possibilities. Really bad, blown out struts is a possibility, Worn out bushings on the sway bar connecting links is another. Even wheel bearings could do that, but I would think that the noise from them would be pretty loud..

I think you need to take the car to another shop for a second opinion.
Old 05-29-22, 06:55 AM
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nitroracer
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Originally Posted by matts6887
I have a bit of a issue that has come up yet again; whenever i hit bumps just driving down a normal road my steering wheel shakes violently for a few seconds. my service manager at my indy shop just down the street told me my lower front control arms are starting to wear out along with the bushings but he said the bushings dont need replacing yet plus the fact it would be 1000 plus bucks and 3-4 hours to do.. so can it be the control arms causing this or something else? tia
Worn out bushings in the suspension will likely present at all times.

This is *only* when you hit a bump??
Old 05-29-22, 10:38 AM
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iMSQ
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tires... .............
Old 05-29-22, 10:54 AM
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chuyrobles
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Inner/outer tie rods
Rack/pinion bushings
Strut mount bearing
Motor mounts
Lower control arms
Old 05-29-22, 01:29 PM
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matts6887
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hmmm.....well i am going to go back to them to have them look at it thoroughly this time as it was just a very brief inspection last time they looked i do believe.
Old 05-29-22, 01:30 PM
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matts6887
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Originally Posted by chuyrobles
Inner/outer tie rods
Rack/pinion bushings
Strut mount bearing
Motor mounts
Lower control arms
well i will have them look at all this as well as i need to get to the bottom of it.
Old 05-29-22, 01:43 PM
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Margate330
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Hi Matts6887,
I'd take it to a family owned tire store with good reviews and ask them to have one of their peeps drive it.
Old 06-01-22, 07:27 AM
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matts6887
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Originally Posted by Margate330
Hi Matts6887,
I'd take it to a family owned tire store with good reviews and ask them to have one of their peeps drive it.
I highly doubt it’s tire related
Old 06-01-22, 08:34 AM
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Felix
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Originally Posted by matts6887
well i will have them look at all this as well as i need to get to the bottom of it.
If they do suspension work & have a alignment rack, they should be able to figure it out.......
Old 06-04-22, 08:23 AM
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matts6887
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well i went and had it looked at and it turns out my front shocks are toast. that would explain why my front control arms are starting to go. turns out they have been leaking oil.
Old 06-04-22, 02:58 PM
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chuyrobles
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Bad shocks, in themselves, would not normally cause the steering wheel to shake violently, unless the mounting bolts are loose. Worn out mount hats would; usually, those are replaced along with the shocks.
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Old 06-04-22, 06:03 PM
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Originally Posted by chuyrobles
Bad shocks, in themselves, would not normally cause the steering wheel to shake violently, unless the mounting bolts are loose. Worn out mount hats would; usually, those are replaced along with the shocks.
This^^^^ Get a pr of KYB struts, & use the Toyota/Lexus strut mounts w/ bearings......
Old 06-04-22, 07:55 PM
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Originally Posted by matts6887
well i went and had it looked at and it turns out my front shocks are toast. that would explain why my front control arms are starting to go. turns out they have been leaking oil.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...l#post11300348
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Old 06-05-22, 06:55 AM
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matts6887
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it looks like im gonna have to wait a bit to get those shocks done as i/we dont have the money so. i just hope i can wait it out and nothing more will happen.;
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