Bob04

My 04 LS430 has a slight clicking in the steering wheel. It only happens at idle or low speed. When you move the steering back and forth slightly off center, there is a clicking with little or no movement at the wheels. Doesn't happen at speed. I have also notice a rattle that seems to be coming from the steering column when driving in dirt parking lots. Started about a year ago and has gradually gotten worse.

Anybody have a similar experience and/or diagnosis?

Bob04

Update:

This was fixed a couple of weeks after I made the original post. The dealer replaced 3 bushings and the steering shaft. No details on the price because it was fixed under CPO warranty. I just wanted to update the thread with the details for the fix, just in case someone was searching the forum for the same issue.

ancdmd

Thanks for the update. My steering hasn't felt perfect for quite some time and I've been suspecting maybe the shaft. Sounds like and expensive fix.

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

I also get a slight vibration in the wheel on gravel or cobble stone during slow driving. I replaced the steering rack bushes but this did not solve the problem. It did improve the feel of the steering though. Would be nice to know exactly what they replaced in the column. I have heard u-joint and shaft mentioned before. Mine is not loose.

nautica602

I had a similar issue on my 04 LS430. Replaced with the parts below and the car felt new again, but still a little clicking. Still doing research on the fix. Local mechanic did the install in less than an hour for $40, parts are pricey though.

YOKE SUB-ASSEMBLY, STEER
4520650020
$100.04

SHAFT ASSEMBLY, STEERING
4526050070
$246.53

honasbone

Hey Lav,

I did the mod in this link:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...ovement-2.html

Helped with almost all of the steering wheel vibes. Vibes over bumps are vastly improved. It can be permanent, but is easily undone if you want. And it's super cheap. 1 zip tie and some grease and you're set. That and 15 - 20 min maybe. If this cures your vibes then it's one more indicator of what's going on with your car. Or have you already cured the issue? And if so, how?

nautica602

Link does not work.

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

I forgot about this thread. I never tackled this issue. Kind of on the back-burner. I hardly every feel the vibration. Only on cobblestone or similar pavement.

honasbone

Updated the link in my prior post. 8 months later . Wondering why this zip tie trick works - what's the underlying cause? I don't know. Just know this helped sort out most of the issue. Would like to know what the root of the problem is though just in case the fix is reasonable cost wise.

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

It's the linkage joint right there. A bit of play from the metal wearing over the years. I bet pulling it upwards adjust the pressure or angle enough to help. Probably best replacing the linkage but if this works if the zip tie trick works that's great.

Jdmdrew

Ive recently had this problem so i removed the 19mm nut on the rack to find that the bushing had wore so much that the inside of the metal collar was egg shaped. I ordered some bushings but tightening them seemed to do the trick right now. the shaking in my steering wheel over bumps improved a lot. My recommendation is to try tightening the nut before you get the bushings to save yourself some money.

Jdmdrew

Also, if a car is lowered, the geometry of the steering rack is off which should be fixed with a bump steer kit. Ive done some research but could not find anyone that actually produces it. I work a lot with race cars and we have these kits installed on all of them. This kit just brings the steering rack at the oem specified position so that the arms are located where they were designed to be. My LS is pretty decent after i tightened the rack but I still have the very slight shake over big bumps and I already changed my lower control arm bushings so i suspect the rest of the problem to be the bump steer.