johncoby

I'm at wits end…..

I just can't get my 2007 to drive like a Lexus. At 75-85 I get a vibration. I've had one rim worked on. They said it was bent. So they fixed that and I STILL get a vibration in the steering and in the seat.

I've had the tires balanced by a Lexus dealer for a WHOPPING $89. That helped quite a bit, but it still vibrates. Anyone have any ideas on where to take this car?

igzy

That sux... Even though one wheel was worked on, it is possible that it is still not true (perfectly round) and will give you the shake. Also it is possible that other wheels are damaged and regardless of the balancing will give you the shake. Mine shake at about 80mph and I know it is the rims since I too had mine balanced and I still get the vibration, whereas with my snow set it is perfectly smooth.

Although, I did have a case of tire's belt shift and that caused the shake. It was a Michelin tire some time ago...

What you can do is put the spare wheel (if it is perfect) instead of the one that was repaired and see if that makes a difference. If it doesn't then, keep going around until the vibration is gone. This is given that only one wheel is out of round.

Otherwise, I would take it to a good tire shop for balancing and they can tell you if any rims are out of round. Good luck!

johncoby

Besides tires and rims could there be anything else that would cause this?

igzy

Well, tires/wheels are the cheapest and easiest thing to confirm and most of the time the cause...

Beyond that: where do you feel the vibration coming from: in the seat/bottom area or steering wheel? That isolates it to front or rear of the car. If it is specific like that then you can move the tires FR <-> RR and see if the vibration moves with it.

If no change then you look into alignment, then shocks/struts if they leaked out (you can visually confirm or push the car down and look for bounce).

If it is from front then you can check if it is transmission, perhaps you are getting the torque converter lock up. Other possibilities are engine mounts, suspension bushings, etc...

Lastly, just to confirm: this is not when you are braking?

Again, I would start with tires/rims if you can rotate them by yourself and then go from there as other options will require time and $$ to diagnose...

johncoby

I am going to have all the tires balanced again to just check once more.

It is in BOTH the steering and the seats. What is the torque converter lock up?

igzy

Good call, I would find a local tire shop that knows and will be able to tell you if there are any flat spots on the wheels or tire hop. The tire may balance properly, but someone with good eye for other problems can easily spot other defects...

For torque converter lock up, this is a pretty good explanation:
http://www.ehow.com/about_5611225_to...-problems.html

wdm50

Find a tire or alignment shop that can strobe light balance 2 front tire's on the car usually that guy will have a eye for a out of round tire. Not saying it could not happen but torque converter shake usually occurs at lockin going up a very gradual incline.

jkayca

Bearings could be going too. I would investigate this before taking apart the transmission.