The clunk, the dealership, and the extended warranty Part 2

slvrpine03 · 10-27-09, 08:59 PM

The clunk is gone, but another sound has taken its place. A low pitched whirring is in its place, it is a harmonic type of vibration. It can be clearly felt and heard over the stereo when played. It only happens with acceleration and is most pronounced when its colder. Most noticed at 60 MPH+.

Made an appointment, and dropped her off again. The tech can clearly hear the noise, and said something is wrong. Exactly what, they don't know. They want to throw some parts at it, namely a new driveshaft. This will replace the 3 week old one.

Guess we will wait and see. I can't fathom what is wrong, maybe they installed the last one orientated wrong? Perhaps the old shaft was just a bad apple. One can only speculate.

jditom · 10-28-09, 07:07 AM

Drive shaft vibration from imbalance?
If they did not mark the DS when they took it apart.
It could be out of balance.

Let us know.

slvrpine03 · 10-29-09, 09:35 AM

I would be willing to bet that they did not make any marks, nor pay any attention to how that shaft was put in. I may be underestimating them, they are professional Lexus mechanics right?

I may have to print the tsb, and highlight where it shows aligning the balance marks. The tsb also shows how to normalize the suspension while installing, I doubt they did this.

They did have the vehicle up on a lift immediately after the tech rode along with me. They say they did not find anything wrong visually. They were betting on a bad shaft. I would immagine there is a way to find if this shaft was indeed bad.

I do know is that there is a 12month/12k mile warranty on the work and the part. They did cost me lots of money on my last vehicle when I paid out of pocket, due to their "just replace it" policy. This time I am glad its under warranty.

slvrpine03 · 11-10-09, 06:19 PM

Received my vehicle back after 3 days@ Lexus of Albuquerque. They ordered a new shaft, and installed. The Clunk is still gone, and vibration was gone at first, but has returned. It returned after a couple weeks. I dunno what to do at this point. Guess I will have to make an appointment with my service advisor once again. I know it was not there prior to the first replacement.

This time I will take in a tsb printout. Does anyone have one, or a link to the most recent updated copy? Tried the search, but many results. I want to be armed with the newest copy.

mann777 · 11-10-09, 08:44 PM

It is also posted on the clunk posts thread. Anyway here it is for your info.

Lexus 4 ME · 11-11-09, 09:37 AM

Did you check your tires?

slvrpine03 · 11-11-09, 06:37 PM

Tires were checked twice to make sure that was not the problem. Tires are relatively new, only a couple months old.

mann777 · 11-12-09, 12:36 AM

Slvrpine...just slide down under your chassis, and see if the marks have been made. If it is not, then the job is not done right, If it not then, the next stage, have they rotated the tires after the shaft change, ask them have they done that. Next if it done..there are very few case where you have called as : "Steering Flutter". There is procedure by the dealers where by they do a check and replace some components near the steering gear box. Some of the complaints where a whining noise accompanied after the change, this does remove after the replacement. But I am not too sure about your SUV. Maybe the dealer can have a look into it.

slvrpine03 · 11-14-09, 02:06 PM

Update: I checked if the marks (bright pink) were lined up. They were not. Tech went for a ride, after the marks were lined up. Noise still there. He reccomended a change of a chain in the transfer case. I also have a whine in the transfer case, but that has been there for a while. I just attributed that to the fact that the vehicle is full-time 4WD.

I hate to have them tear into the car that far, but that is what their senior master tech suggested. He seems very knowledgeable, but unsure if this will be the fix. That was his best guess.

Dunno what to do? Live with it? Let them try the fix. I admit I am kinda at a loss on why they would not align the prop shaft in the first place. They were very sure they did the replacement right, but alas they just bolted the shaft right in without regard for markings and aligning.

slvrpine03 · 11-26-09, 10:59 AM

Turns out the tech knew his stuff. He was positive the TSIB DL001-08 would fix it. This was an expensive repair ($2487.87). All but the $50 deductible was covered by the extended warranty.

The TSIB included a new transfer case chain, dynamic damper, and bolts and gaskets. Got our truck back and all seems well, we will tell for sure as the miles are put on.

Lexus of Albuquerque was fantastic. They really took care of us, even bringing out an extra key when my wife locked the key to the loaner in it. May not seem like a big deal, but we live about 80 miles from Lexus. Every time we have to go in for anything, they always help us with switching car seats, and bags from car to car.