lb68

My LS 460 has a pulsing wheel/front end noise that seems to increase as the speed increases from 5 mph to about 30mph and then fades out. I brought it in for service and they test drove it twice with 1 and then 2 service techs. They could hear the noise and said to me that they think it is cupping on the tires. The tires are in great condition inside to outside.Tires have only 14000 K. I switched the back to the front. The same dut-dut-dut-dut sound increases as the speed increases to about 30mph. I believe that the noise is something more serious. I noticed that when the suspension compresses over a high point in the road at say 20mph the sound will stop during the time the car is comming of the high point in the road. Could this be a bearing/suspention- or something with the breaking motor because I also have been using the break hold feature for several months and not sure if that could cause harm. Also I do hear more grind or grumbling when turning the wheel to the left at low speed then when turning to the right.

CJITTY

Check brake rotor shield or could be loose pads in caliper.. drive slow with window down and go over rough street to make noise.. then lightly apply brake to see if noise goes away. If it does..its your pads. You need anti rattle clips reinstalled..sometimes they don't put them back in.

Geo Wright

Had a similar problem with my old LS 400. It was from the front fender liner that had come loose. Air load would push it against the tire.

Road Rage

Going from your description it sounds like a bearing going bad, that's about a $500 part and pain to replace on those. Cupping can be felt by rubbing your hand on the tire. If you experience the same problem after a rotation then excessive radial run-out is pretty much eliminated. All Lexus dealers are required to have what is a called a Diagnostic Specialist on staff. Usually the old guy back in the shop that remembers the old ES250 (the horror), anyway ask to have the DS drive the car with you in it.

Do you experience any brake vibration in the steering wheel when making a high speed stop? Like coming down a freeway exit ramp for instance?

lb68

Yes but almost nothing more then a slight quiver that stops after a split second.

Road Rage

You could have front rotors that are no longer true, resurfacing would be the cure for that. And that could cause what you're experiencing. But, there were some brake part updates made to certain model runs. To find out I would need your VIN. I know there was a clip update for the pads but only for models made before a certain VIN.

And there are several TSB's about various suspension noises, again, VIN specific.

If you want me to check just shoot me your VIN and I'll see what I can find out.

lb68

I had a set of new Michelin tires put on and the noise is gone. All 4 tires that were replaced had cupping issues. They were dunlop tires. Im totaly relieved. Now the cabin is very quit with the exception of wind noise at higher speeds and a very strange sound when the car is just about to come to stop while applying the breaks. The sound is mild and it seems to pulsate from the hood Im certain it is part of the power break system like a pulsing beat. Someone told me about a break actuator issue with the earlier models. If I need to hit the break pedal quik and hard i get a loud buzz sound from the abs or break motor.I dont think it is a real concern. I would like to bring it in and pay to have a component replaced if it will remove the sound while breaking. VIN#JTHBL46F675040775

Falbz

Sounds like brake actuator issue. If you only hear a popping like noise when you apply brakes/start your car, then that's it.

Glad to hear your other issue is taken care of.