SGS3

Thanks you all in the other welcome thread. I'm pretty noob in this world. All I did before buying my LS recently was reading in Wiki saying that it's the most reliable car in several years, test drove a few miles, sent it for PPI, made an offer, and got it. It looks and drive great. Now is the not-so-great part:

I notice the car shakes a bit more than normal when it's in P or N, feels more like the engine shakes. Of course it's still better than my previous Accord, but I can clearly feel it, and I don't feel that in my wife's RX350 (100K miles, mine is 95K). My car is not low idle (always about 700 - 1000 rpm)

Another thing, there's a downhill highway near the place I work, every time I drive home late afternoon on that part I feel clearly the steering wheel shakes. Even when I warm up the car for about 1 min before driving. That part of road is really smooth, the car is on D, normal suspension, not high, runs around 60 mpg and I basically don't touch the accelerator and the brake while on that part. And the steering wheel still shakes. Can these two symptoms be related?

Side info: The mechanic I sent the car for PPI suggested I do transmission service soon because he found some moisture in transmission pan. Does it mean that it's leaking? It sounds impossible to me after reading lots about transmission fluid in this forum. So what kind of transmission service he's talking about and can it be related to the two problems above? (He also suggested changing brake fluid which I don't think is related).

Thank you all, appreciate your knowledge.

LS4EVER85

I've noticed the same thing (a very faint shake) in my 04!! A When I bought it it was as is 56k so no telling if the trans fluid was changed..however I was told do not change my trans fluid until at least the 80-90k range. Now it's at Lexus I'm taking no chances! Give and take I drive a little harder than most around the 70mph range mostly because Houston's beltway is like a raceway the way people drive these days, I will post my diagnostic when I get the call back! Hope it helps you as well.

jimbosr1

try this,when you are in park gave it a little gas and see if the shaking disappears.if it does its the engine mounts which is a common item that requires replacement in most cars and trucks sense it is a rubber component.

LS4EVER85

He's exactly right my diagnostic said they need to be replaced on my 60k service but otherwise not a major issue at this point!

LScowboyLS

You likely need engine mounts including the rear one, which most folks refer to as the transmission mount. - this repair is not a big deal really.

In fact, I would do the transmission mount first, as the part is dirt cheap (around $50) and the labor is very cheap as well, as this repair of this particular mount takes about 15 minutes.

That "water in the transmission pan" sounds BOGUS - I would avoid that mechanic.

SGS3

Thanks all. For the "shaking on P and N" part it seems to be as you guy said. Now the more annoying part is the shaking on downhill. Today I tried to put more gas and it didn't help. It shakes even when I don't touch either the accelerator or the brake. It runs smooth at high speed on other roads, just shaking on downhill. What could be the reason?

jimbosr1

you have to fix the eng mounts first before you figure out the other as one might fix the other.

SGS3

You're right, thanks

SGS3

About to bring my car to diagnose tomorrow. @LS4EVER : did you change the engine mounts and how is it now?