Hello fellow Lexus drivers. I’ve got a certified 2011 GS350 with 59k that’s got what appears to be some funny things going on with the transmission now that it’s gotten cold in SW Ohio. Most concerning thing I notice is a delay going into 1st gear from reverse. There’s is a long enough delay that I feel a slip or jerk while beginning to accelerate. I also notice a slip after downshifting when coming to a stop then starting again. I don’t recall this happening when it was warmer. Second issue that is very noticeable is really hard downshifting from 3 to 2 and 2 to 1. Third is a bit of a thud/clunk when I start the car and initially shift from P to R.
I am coming up at the end of my certified warranty with my last service in the beginning of December and would really like to have this addressed if something is wrong. I searched around the site for a TSB or other information and couldn’t find anything like what I am experiencing in an 11 GS. I need to be able to go into this last service with some type of info for my service rep. Otherwise I’m afraid they’ll tell me these are normal characteristics of the car. The kind of did that last year in regard to the hard downshifting.
Any help or comments on this would be greatly appreciated.

 

To me it sounds like you have a bad driveshaft axle U-joints, maybe your car was driven very hard so there could be lots of play in the driveshaft axle. Also if theres play, youll get a clunking sound, and delayed shifts.

I have heard of certain 3GS with bad u joints, but there rare.

 

Appreciate the suggestions. I’m the second owner. Car basically had 53k when I got it. The first owner was a woman who had the car for 5 years. Part or all of which was a lease. Most women aren’t real hard drivers, not as nearly as men, but could be. I did have some washers replaced on the driveshaft recently bc since I first bought the car it would make a high pitch hum or whine when you would get the car to 50mph or above and then let off the gas.

 

Which washer in the driveline? Are you talking about the guibo? Its possible the mechanic that removed the driveshaft may have not have installed or aligned something properly. What you can do is look for a tire shop that has a 4 post lift, drive your car on top and have the mechanic inspect the driveline as you shift from drive to reverse.

 

These replies for sure!