Notchy Steering
#1
Tech Info Resource
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
Notchy Steering
So while perusing the Lexus Service Bulletins, I noticed an LSB for "notchy steering" on a wide range of vehicles including our beloved IS-F. I know I have personally experienced the steering feeling like it had locked while in a long sweeping turn on the highway, but never thought enough about it to take it to Lexus and complain.
Now I find out there is not only a known issue, but there is a fix! Yeah! Sort of. The fix is to replace the entire steering rack with the latest iteration. This is only valid if you are still under the 48k mile bumper to bumper warranty. I passed that a LONG time ago, and well before this LSB was published.
Has anyone else experienced this? Anyone got their steering rack replaced for this?
I would do this out of pocket, but the new rack is $1600+, and the old rack is worthless since it is faulty and known to be faulty.
Now I find out there is not only a known issue, but there is a fix! Yeah! Sort of. The fix is to replace the entire steering rack with the latest iteration. This is only valid if you are still under the 48k mile bumper to bumper warranty. I passed that a LONG time ago, and well before this LSB was published.
Has anyone else experienced this? Anyone got their steering rack replaced for this?
I would do this out of pocket, but the new rack is $1600+, and the old rack is worthless since it is faulty and known to be faulty.
#6
Advanced
iTrader: (3)
I remember this EXACT same issue with the 2006 IS350 and 2008 ISF and it annoyed me greatly. Dealers were NO help because the issue occurred at random times and could not be duplicated.
It is EXACTLY how you described it, highway speeds, need to turn on a sweeper, the steering wheel "sticks" a little bit from center, and you end up steering more than required. I also noticed that this issue happened more on hot days or during long trips.
I searched for my past posts and remember the dealership replacing the steering rack on the IS350, but the issue remained.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...ml#post4204177
I hope this has been addressed in the later model years or maybe it's just a matter of time before it occurs on all the Lexus autos with EPS?
It is EXACTLY how you described it, highway speeds, need to turn on a sweeper, the steering wheel "sticks" a little bit from center, and you end up steering more than required. I also noticed that this issue happened more on hot days or during long trips.
I searched for my past posts and remember the dealership replacing the steering rack on the IS350, but the issue remained.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...ml#post4204177
I hope this has been addressed in the later model years or maybe it's just a matter of time before it occurs on all the Lexus autos with EPS?
So while perusing the Lexus Service Bulletins, I noticed an LSB for "notchy steering" on a wide range of vehicles including our beloved IS-F. I know I have personally experienced the steering feeling like it had locked while in a long sweeping turn on the highway, but never thought enough about it to take it to Lexus and complain.
Now I find out there is not only a known issue, but there is a fix! Yeah! Sort of. The fix is to replace the entire steering rack with the latest iteration. This is only valid if you are still under the 48k mile bumper to bumper warranty. I passed that a LONG time ago, and well before this LSB was published.
Has anyone else experienced this? Anyone got their steering rack replaced for this?
I would do this out of pocket, but the new rack is $1600+, and the old rack is worthless since it is faulty and known to be faulty.
Now I find out there is not only a known issue, but there is a fix! Yeah! Sort of. The fix is to replace the entire steering rack with the latest iteration. This is only valid if you are still under the 48k mile bumper to bumper warranty. I passed that a LONG time ago, and well before this LSB was published.
Has anyone else experienced this? Anyone got their steering rack replaced for this?
I would do this out of pocket, but the new rack is $1600+, and the old rack is worthless since it is faulty and known to be faulty.
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#8
From the CL TSB search:
Steering - Notchy Feel At Highway Speeds Mar 23, 2011 SB0016-11
L-SB-0016-11
March 23, 2011
Notchy Steering Feel at Highway Speeds (2WD)
Service Category
Steering
Section
Steering Gear/Linkage
Applicability
Introduction
Some Lexus vehicles may exhibit an intermittent non-binding notchy steering feel and/or the steering wheel will not smoothly self-center when driving at highway speeds. This condition may occur when changing lanes or when coming out of long sweeping turns at highway speeds. Please use the following repair procedure to address this condition.
Production Change Information
This TSIB ap [...]
So I guess it could apply to at least the 2009 cars too. I will keep an eye out.
Steering - Notchy Feel At Highway Speeds Mar 23, 2011 SB0016-11
L-SB-0016-11
March 23, 2011
Notchy Steering Feel at Highway Speeds (2WD)
Service Category
Steering
Section
Steering Gear/Linkage
Applicability
Introduction
Some Lexus vehicles may exhibit an intermittent non-binding notchy steering feel and/or the steering wheel will not smoothly self-center when driving at highway speeds. This condition may occur when changing lanes or when coming out of long sweeping turns at highway speeds. Please use the following repair procedure to address this condition.
Production Change Information
This TSIB ap [...]
So I guess it could apply to at least the 2009 cars too. I will keep an eye out.
#9
Sometimes on the freeway I notice the wheel being 'stubborn' for a split second or two..kind of like the tires are tracking with some grooves in the pavement or something. Now I believe I'm not the only one!
#10
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Join Date: Jun 2011
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Man I'm glad this was brought up. My car started to do this a few weeks ago. I thought this was indicative of me maybe needing an alignment. Don't SB eventually progress to recalls? I understand wear and tear but I don't think a steering rack is something that should be wearing out. I feel this should be something you could have done regardless of age or mileage.
#11
Tech Info Resource
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
LSBs rarely become recalls. They're very different animals and the legal department is very careful about the delineation between the two.
#13
Advanced
iTrader: (3)
Good luck getting any Lexus Dealership in Southern California to acknowledge this. When I had the 06 IS350 and 08 ISF, they dismissed the issue stating unable to duplicate. Calling Lexus Corporate is useless, as they don't do anything except coordinate with the service people at the dealership.
South County Lexus, Tustin Lexus, Long Lexus are the ones I went to and all three either stated it's normal, blamed it on road/tires, and would not look into it any further. Got to hand to it South County though, they DO NOT return your phone calls despite calling over 2 months. At least the other 2 dealerships had the courtesy to call back.
South County Lexus, Tustin Lexus, Long Lexus are the ones I went to and all three either stated it's normal, blamed it on road/tires, and would not look into it any further. Got to hand to it South County though, they DO NOT return your phone calls despite calling over 2 months. At least the other 2 dealerships had the courtesy to call back.
#14
Does this apply to a 2010 isf? My alignment shop & tire shop told me my car sways with the road because of my camber, but im running less than -1 camber..
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Your #1 Dealer for Aftermarket Performance Products
Orange County, CA
Email: info@merakiautoworks.com
Text/Call: 213 394 2886
Website: www.MerakiAutoworks.com