kevinclee

I've found these two TSIBs from NHTSA. They don't have good descriptions. Does anyone know the details? Thanks.

Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Service Bulletin Num : 00704
Summary:
DRONE AND VIRBRATION ON ACCELERATION.
&

Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Service Bulletin Num : 00404
Summary:
FRONT BRAKE VIBRATION.

rxdriver

The first one is yet another strange vibration noise coming from the engine compartment. It's not a mechanical problem - just a noise.

The second one is the subject of another thread about the brakes.

rajwany

the second tsb is for front rotors problems. steering vibration on braking. please see the thread
Brake pedal shudder/catching .

lexuslover

About the first one, that drone/vibration on acceleration sounds familiar. I get that at very low speeds as I'm rolling along in my neighborhood, almost like a fan that's spinning too hard/fast (and then stops when the car shifts gears) - is that what it's referring to?

Anyone else have this noise? Should I mention the TSB# to the techs tomorrow when it goes in for service?

rxdriver

The TSIB for the noise, EG007-04, does a pretty poor job of actually describing the noise.
Ideally, the dealer has experience with this repair and knows what it sounds like before and after to know that you've got the problem.

The TSIB applies to a limited VIN range - only those 330's made in Japan with a serial # below 44200 (AWD) or 22364 (2WD). The fixes, which involve changing some insulators where various engine and/or suspension parts meet, are very specific to sub-ranges of VIN numbers below that point.

Sounds like a lot of surgery for a noise. Personally, I wouldn't let a dealer do that much work to a car unless there was a real problem.

kevinclee

Thank you rxdriver for the detail information.

How about the second one? Does it have a limited VIN range also?

rxdriver

The VIN range for BR004-04 is pretty big. It looks like they didn't make the production change until late in the model year. It's 60469 (AWD) / 32087 (2WD) for Japan, and 17170 (AWD) / 11300 (2WD) for Canada.

That doesn't mean all RX330's have the problem. Mine doesn't, and I've had it for 12 months and 18K miles. My guess is that the brake parts originally met specs, but either something happened and they no longer met specs, or they found that their specs weren't good enough for all drivers and driving conditions. The 330 is a heavy vehicle, and the speed-sensitive brake assist applies the brakes pretty hard until you get used to it.

It's good to know, though, that if you ever have a bona fide problem with the brakes shuddering (i.e. a rotor problem), Lexus will be on top of getting it fixed. The dealer won't give you a hard time about your driving habits and call it a wear problem.

smoss

Do those numbers refer to the last digits of this VIN? i.e. any vehile with a VIN ending with a number greater than that would not be affected?

rxdriver

Yes, that's correct. The actual serial number is the last 7 digits of the VIN number. If your serial number is higher than the numbers I gave, the TSIB does not apply to your car.

A quick VIN decode for the RX330:

First 3 digits: Country of manufacture / company / plant code
JTJ = Toyota, made in Japan
2T2 = Toyota, made in Canada

Digits 4 - 8: Model and Powertrain Options
GA31U = RX330, 2WD
HA31U = RX330, AWD

Digit 9: Check digit - computed based on all other digits

Digit 10: Model Year
4 = 2004 (That's easy! The last 20+ years leading up to 1999 were letters, and the letters will be back in 2011)

Digits 11 - 17: Serial Number
0xxxxxx = Units made in Japan
Cxxxxxx = Units made in Canda

kevinclee

Thank you, rxdriver. YOU ARE THE MAN.