quantfutur

Have been hearing a rattle at 55mph+ only. Not sure where noise is coming from. Very annoying. Two mechanics say is plastic covers loosened on underbody. Exhaust, struts and suspension checked out okay. Right rear wheel bearing will need to be replaced soon, but it sounds like loud 'tire' sound at all speeds. Could the wheel bearing be causing the rattle?

shoebopper

Honestly, if you had a wheel bearing that "rattled", you would already be parked. The bearing would be shot.

My guess is the infamous fuel tank plastic shield right under your driver's side. A little bit of foam will solve that problem. You can search for that solution.

You might just drop the tank shield and clean out any rocks while you are at it.

quantfutur

Thanks, shoebopper. Found the threads for it, and I will try it. Btw, mechanic took out the heat shield for cat. converter as it was flapping and made some noise. But rattle continued. Some of the plastic underbody shields have been ripped by carelessness in repair, etc. Ridiculous.

lexus114

I know it has a purpose, but I hate all that plastic covering under the RX! it`s a pita.

kickin8

iTrader: (1)

if you hear a whirling noise, most likely is the wheel bearing....

how many miles does your 330 have ?

quantfutur

I hear a loud noise like a whirling that I guess is the wheel bearing. Noticed a couple months ago, no longer the 'quiet ride' had been used to. 105k miles.

The rattle is a separate noise and only occurs 55mph+. It first showed up several weeks ago, directly after a service for the brakes and tighteneing of plates on the underbody. Will have foam tape put on this weekend; hoping it works as the noise is driving me nuts (: !!

Didn't have wheel bearing problems with the '99 that I took to 187k miles.... Could going over a curb with the right rear wheel cause damage to that wheel bearing?

MNRXguy

I have the same rattle coming from my gas tank shield on my 08 RX. I've heard there is a little rubber piece that is supposed to be on the front part of the shield that extends forward preventing it from hitting the underside of the car. Is this true? Mine doesn't have one. Can this be bought separately or do I have to replace the entire shield?

shoebopper

You can pick up some foam tape (weatherstrip type of stuff, sticky on one side)) at your local auto parts...shouldn't be very expensive. Takes about a 4" - 6" piece is all. If you have a friend that has some, that's even better. For such an annoyance, it's a pretty quick fix.

MNRXguy

Yeah, I've thought about that, but I don't think that would be a very weather-resistant fix. I can't see it holding up to car washes and snowy/slushy roads that we have here in Minnesota. That's why I'm wondering if there is a OEM rubber piece that I'm missing there.

thomas1

OH man that is what the bungy cord under my tank shield is....Well time to take bungy off and do a little foam repair...previous owner did this or a real ASE trained lexus mechanic....

MNRXguy

I just talked to my local Lexus dealer. He said the tank shield has been redesigned because of this issue. The new shield is $205. The redesign must have included molding the shield out of solid gold.

quantfutur

No .... platinum !!

MNRXguy

They must manufacture the gas tank shield in the same factory that makes the $750 rear driver's side seat headrest that I was looking for also.

lexus114

Pretty crazy isnt it??

quantfutur

Love those 'redesigned' parts.... There were so many for my '99 RX 300, I felt I was working solely to support my car!!