Sandi_k

Hi all:

My 2010 RX350 has developed a bit of a groan to the steering when the wheel is turned.

I had the car in for service on Friday, and with the freakishly warm weather we had, they could not replicate it (although I did get a 450H as a loaner!)

It can't be the power steering pump, as we have an electronic system; any other ideas? Anyone else experience this with theirs?

TIA,

Sandi

MEP7557

I do notice that when the car is NOT moving and I attempt to turn the steering wheel a considerable amount I do get a slight groan. Nothing crazy though.

BlueSurf

I have my car about 8 months now and I have the same "groan". It happens on occasion, not always. You can also feel a slight far away vibration through the wood part of the steering wheel. I'm not concerned with it anymore. I thinks its all part of the quirkiness of the hybrid system. If it should become a problem it will be covered anyway.

afpj

We have it too. RX350 45k miles. Wasn't there from the beginning, but it's been there for awhile now. Had the dealer look at it but they didn't really notice anything wrong. Almost sounds like something needs to be lubed. Hasn't gotten any worse though so we have deemed it part of the car now, just like the cold start noise. Still handles fine.

the lof

Hi, I have a 2010 rx (purchased 4/09,16K mileage), strange this came up now on a post. Just in the last couple of days, when I turn slowly into my garage, I'm hearing a slight groan, steering wheel area(that's the only time). Sounds like something you would lube. Appreciate any feedback members are getting from the Lexus dealers. Thank you for your time in reviewing my post.

EMSLEXUSRX

Haven't noticed this so far on my 2010 RX350. I've got around 10,300 miles on it and purchased it in July of 2010.

How did you like the drive on the 450h loaner??

crmjr1

350RX has 30k on it and noticed moan in steering wheel a few weeks ago

stw2046

Would it be the gearing in the column? I know from my buddy's ZDX that the electric steering is quite "loud", so as my GT Force Pro wheel at home.

Sandi_k

BlueSurf, I DON'T HAVE a hybrid. But I got one as a loaner. Thanks anyway.

Sandi

krypttic

iTrader: (1)

My car was in the shop on Friday for this issue. It sounds like someone is trapped in my steering column with duct tape over their mouth and is whining to get out .

The tech lubed the area but the problem remained. The shop foreman then got involved and is ordering a part for the bottom of the steering column. He said he could hear the sound and it went away when he applied pressure on a certain area down there.

I think it's temperature related as I only hear it on warm days.

I'll be back in the shop on Wednesday to (hopefully) have it fixed.

the lof

Hi, can you please post the results from your Wednesday visit to the dealer. thank you

jskennedy

an old buddy of mine works up in the canadian manufacturing plant

he said they use laid off dominos pizza employees to install some of the hard-to-reach steering components

occasionally they get their hands stuck, so instead of destroying a good steering install to remove the noid,

they do in fact tape their mouths & just leave them in the steering column

he said they use electrical instead of duct tape

not overly humane, but hey are just noids

avoid the noid

krypttic

iTrader: (1)

They installed a new steering column part. I think it's called the "main shaft" : something that has bushings at the top and at the bottom. I've been in for this issue three times. The first time, they lubricated the top bushing. The second time, they lubricated the bottom one. This time they replaced the whole rod and the noise seems gone for now.