RealWing

I spent some time under the RX today.
So what does this damper behind the rear bumper actually do?? It looks like nothing more than a gas filled strut between the 2 rear frame rails. Since the frame rails cant move, it seems like it must be a simple vibration damper to tune out some harmonics at the rear of the car.

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2015 RX350 F Sport, Claret Mica
2013 Toyota Venza, Touring, AWD
1970 Plymouth Superbird , 440-6bbl
1969 Plymouth Barracuda, 340 Formula S Fastback
1969 Barracuda convertible (conversion i/p with a 6.1 L Hemi transplant)
2006 BMW K1200LT

charley95

Interesting to know thats there. I have a 14 RX and I get vibration upon slow acceleration from a stop. I thought maybe it was exhaust related but I'm wondering if maybe this could be the culprit on mine. I'll have to go talk to my dealer here but I'm not fond of dealer service unless necessary.

What year is yours?

RealWing

MIne is 2015 RX350 F Sport. Apparently only the Sport model has this "damper"

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2015 RX350 F Sport, Claret Mica
2013 Toyota Venza, Touring, AWD
1970 Plymouth Superbird , 440-6bbl
1969 Plymouth Barracuda, 340 Formula S Fastback
1969 Barracuda convertible (conversion i/p with a 6.1 L Hemi transplant)
2006 BMW K1200LT

RealWing

There are several other small dampers on the RX. These are the ones on the exhaust system - all added to dampen any harmonic vibrations.

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2015 RX350 F Sport, Claret Mica
2013 Toyota Venza, Touring, AWD
1970 Plymouth Superbird , 440-6bbl
1969 Plymouth Barracuda, 340 Formula S Fastback
1969 Barracuda convertible (conversion i/p with a 6.1 L Hemi transplant)
2006 BMW K1200LT

bwsteg

I removed mine to add a rear double tube bar and its been about 3 weeks so far and I notice no change in how the vehicle performs or acts...

charley95

I'll have to get under mine to check to make sure all dampers are in place and secured. I'm surprised no one else here has mentioned exhaust vibration issues.

RealWing

There are obviously exhaust vibration issues. It costs $$ to add these dampers on each vehicle.

__________________________________________________________
2015 RX350 F Sport, Claret Mica
2013 Toyota Venza, Touring, AWD
1970 Plymouth Superbird , 440-6bbl
1969 Plymouth Barracuda, 340 Formula S Fastback
1969 Barracuda convertible (conversion i/p with a 6.1 L Hemi transplant)
2006 BMW K1200LT

RealWing

There are a few more dampers

One on the rear subframe and one on the front subframe


__________________________________________________________
2015 RX350 F Sport, Claret Mica
2013 Toyota Venza, Touring, AWD
1970 Plymouth Superbird , 440-6bbl
1969 Plymouth Barracuda, 340 Formula S Fastback
1969 Barracuda convertible (conversion i/p with a 6.1 L Hemi transplant)
2006 BMW K1200LT

charley95

I have the same dampers on my RX other than the one between the frame rails. Mine obviously is not the F-Sport. I still get the vibration issue as stated before. It's annoying on slow acceleration,faster acceleration it doesn't happen.

BertL

F-Sport seems to have the extra one over base RX and RXh. Folks found that when they started trying to put non-Lexus tow kits back there and found a different version was required to work around the additional F-Sport damper.

Clutchless

I would like to see a photo of the front lateral performance damper as I am thinking of adding it to my 2010. However, bwsteg's substituting a solid bar has me thinking that could be done for the front for less money by a fabricator to stiffen up the sub frame. It is similar to a strut tower bar. I read on some other performance forums that the lower front frame lateral bar was more effective than a strut tower bar at increasing stiffness and improving handling and steering.
I already have a hitch in the rear which is basically the same as a lateral damper or bar.

SteveCraig

Since the frame rails cant move

Might be there to eliminate body flex.
Does the F-Sport version sit lower to the ground or perhaps have a slightly different suspension set-up ?

RealWing

The F Sport does have differently tuned shock absorbers/struts, but I don't think the ride height is any different according to the height specs.

From an engineering perspective, I cant see how that little damper and the skinny rod could have any influence on body flex. It looks to me like it is there to remove some higher frequency vibrations.

A lot of body flex is in a longitudinal direction (ie torsional twist) - and this damper would do nothing for torsional twist control.

__________________________________________________________
2015 RX350 F Sport, Claret Mica
2013 Toyota Venza, Touring, AWD
1970 Plymouth Superbird , 440-6bbl
1969 Plymouth Barracuda, 340 Formula S Fastback
1969 Barracuda convertible (conversion i/p with a 6.1 L Hemi transplant)
2006 BMW K1200LT

SteveCraig

You're probably right.

MI350_55

Per Lexus website:

"The RX F SPORT is also exclusively equipped with front and rear lateral performance dampers to provide additional rigidity to the chassis while also minimizing vibrations. The result: enhanced handling, a more linear steering feel and a ride that’s as comfortable as it is invigorating."

I installed a Curt Tow Hitch last Monday, which still allowed the use of the rear damper with some modifications (cutting plastic under-tray). The hitch comes with a special bracket that re-positions the damper upside down and a few inches toward the front.