Ride quality
#1
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
Ride quality
I have been driving LS models for 10+ years. 6 months ago purchased a 2009 CPO with 42k miles - perfect condition. Car had a vibration when driving. To make a long story short, over several months dealer road force balanced 4 times, replaced Michelin Pilot tires with brand new Michelin Pilots (vibration still there) and last week put brand new Bridgestone Turanza tires on (same as came on the car originally). They also checked every driveline component, suspension, etc for 2 days and all was ok. Drove 500 miles this weekend. Tires are fine - very smooth. But, I still get a constant "vibration" felt in my seat. It feels as though every single variation in road smoothness is translated to the seat - as though the suspension does not absorb anything - feels like I am riding on a bowl of jello that is constantly "jiggling". The Lexus service manager also reported that my car now rides as smooth or better than new models (he drove two 2015 models and said they were worse than my car).
Prior to this car I drove a 2007 LS460 and did not notice this. I read other posts on the internet about the LS460 ride quality not being good as Lexus has changed the suspension.
Is what I am experiencing "normal" now for a Lexus 460? Is there anything else that could be causing this ride quality?
Prior to this car I drove a 2007 LS460 and did not notice this. I read other posts on the internet about the LS460 ride quality not being good as Lexus has changed the suspension.
Is what I am experiencing "normal" now for a Lexus 460? Is there anything else that could be causing this ride quality?
#2
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
Not much changed between 07 and 09 suspension wise. Is the rim size different? Big rims transfer a lot into the car. Tires, control arms, and shocks would be the next logical step. As you mentioned it's not the tires. Vibrations can come from all kinds of areas. May not be related to the suspension at all if its constant and does not vary with the road.
Last edited by Lavrishevo; 04-19-15 at 12:40 PM.
#3
If you can isolate it to one side of the car or rear vs front, may be easier to determine if damaged wheel or defective strut is the cause.
Last edited by Silverpaws; 04-19-15 at 04:15 PM.
#4
GOT to be Something there, i've Never rode in another Vehicle that has the Comfort of the LS460! That's just me though (oh, & my wife said the same thing)! to US there's Nuthin' that Compares to this car on a Nice Lil' Road Trip!
#5
Lexus Fanatic
Is your 09 AWD by chance?
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#8
I have been driving LS models for 10+ years. 6 months ago purchased a 2009 CPO with 42k miles - perfect condition. Car had a vibration when driving. To make a long story short, over several months dealer road force balanced 4 times, replaced Michelin Pilot tires with brand new Michelin Pilots (vibration still there) and last week put brand new Bridgestone Turanza tires on (same as came on the car originally). They also checked every driveline component, suspension, etc for 2 days and all was ok. Drove 500 miles this weekend. Tires are fine - very smooth. But, I still get a constant "vibration" felt in my seat. It feels as though every single variation in road smoothness is translated to the seat - as though the suspension does not absorb anything - feels like I am riding on a bowl of jello that is constantly "jiggling". The Lexus service manager also reported that my car now rides as smooth or better than new models (he drove two 2015 models and said they were worse than my car).
Prior to this car I drove a 2007 LS460 and did not notice this. I read other posts on the internet about the LS460 ride quality not being good as Lexus has changed the suspension.
Is what I am experiencing "normal" now for a Lexus 460? Is there anything else that could be causing this ride quality?
Prior to this car I drove a 2007 LS460 and did not notice this. I read other posts on the internet about the LS460 ride quality not being good as Lexus has changed the suspension.
Is what I am experiencing "normal" now for a Lexus 460? Is there anything else that could be causing this ride quality?
As the poster above me wrote it might be a bad wheel. It could also be a bad drive line component.
#9
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
The Lexus dealer told me they checked each rim (with tire off) to make sure they were ok. Also checked driveshaft, U joint, CV joints, etc and claim they cannot find anything. This has been a huge mystery and frustration to me as to why this LS does not ride like others. I guess I can take it to an outside tire shop for balancing. It is just hard to believe that an outside shop would find something a Lexus dealer did not find in 5 different trips?
#10
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
The Lexus dealer told me they checked each rim (with tire off) to make sure they were ok. Also checked driveshaft, U joint, CV joints, etc and claim they cannot find anything. This has been a huge mystery and frustration to me as to why this LS does not ride like others. I guess I can take it to an outside tire shop for balancing. It is just hard to believe that an outside shop would find something a Lexus dealer did not find in 5 different trips?
Last edited by Lavrishevo; 04-21-15 at 08:49 AM.
#11
Does it happen when you sit in the front passenger seat too? wondering if it's in the seat itself possibly.
#12
The Lexus dealer told me they checked each rim (with tire off) to make sure they were ok. Also checked driveshaft, U joint, CV joints, etc and claim they cannot find anything. This has been a huge mystery and frustration to me as to why this LS does not ride like others. I guess I can take it to an outside tire shop for balancing. It is just hard to believe that an outside shop would find something a Lexus dealer did not find in 5 different trips?
#13
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
What size rims do you have? Are they different then your 07's? Also, do you notice the vibrations changing with the asphalt? In other words, are you sure the transfer is from the road or is it constant under all conditions. If it's constant then I doubt it is tire / suspension related.
#14
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
I have not sat in the passenger seat. On a 400 mile trip this weekend my wife was with me and as my seat was vibrating/jiggling the whole trip I asked her if she felt it and said "no - this feels like a normal car to me". But her reference point is her Toyota Sienna while mine is 10 years of driving an LS.
#15
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
The bottom line is - what could cause me to feel (in my seat) every possible road imperfection and slightest undulation? It is like the shock absorbers are absorbing nothing.