Looking for a Clunk update!
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 66
Likes: 1
From: Texas
Well I had my oppointment today. After the service guy told me there was nothing else he could do, I asked for the number to customer service. He suggested that we relubicate the spines. I had a little time so I agreed. While I was waiting, I ran into my sells person. I explained the problem and told him that I had just filed a complaint with customer service. He told me to hold on and he see what he could do. After about an hour and half the service guy told me that they had found a new TSB on a new way to lubricate the drive shaft and it should solve the problem. It felt fine on the way home, but we will see in a few miles if it comes back. I still have the complaint with Lexus and will put it on hold until the clunk comes back.
TexGX
TexGX
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,423
Likes: 0
From: CA
Originally Posted by TexGX
Well I had my oppointment today. After the service guy told me there was nothing else he could do, I asked for the number to customer service. He suggested that we relubicate the spines. I had a little time so I agreed. While I was waiting, I ran into my sells person. I explained the problem and told him that I had just filed a complaint with customer service. He told me to hold on and he see what he could do. After about an hour and half the service guy told me that they had found a new TSB on a new way to lubricate the drive shaft and it should solve the problem. It felt fine on the way home, but we will see in a few miles if it comes back. I still have the complaint with Lexus and will put it on hold until the clunk comes back.
TexGX
TexGX
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,423
Likes: 0
From: CA
Originally Posted by Donger
A little off topic, but there is a problem with the BMW transmissions and X-Drive - there is a software fix for this - at least for the '05/06 X5's (which use the same X-Drive as your 5er). Some of the early '05's got pretty violent with the clunk.
Driver
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
And while not as bad as the RR, the X5 is in the shop a lot too. And they clunk - or used to until a transmission software update came out.
Hmmmm - maybe that's what the GX needs because it does feel like sometimes the transmission hasn't finished downshifting - like it is popping into first gear, causing a clunk. Don't know.
Anyway, I'll take the little clunk in my GX over the monthly visit to the shop in my old X5 any day.
Hmmmm - maybe that's what the GX needs because it does feel like sometimes the transmission hasn't finished downshifting - like it is popping into first gear, causing a clunk. Don't know.
Anyway, I'll take the little clunk in my GX over the monthly visit to the shop in my old X5 any day.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: GA
I have had no problems since they replaced mine (knock on wood). It was done about 16k miles ago.
I hear alot of stories from people and I am a firm believer that alot ties into your dealer and customer service. We have "assigned" CS reps and once mine was on vacation and I had to use someone else it is was totally different. I complained and I had so many people calling leaving me messages of appoligies. My guy is great!
I hear alot of stories from people and I am a firm believer that alot ties into your dealer and customer service. We have "assigned" CS reps and once mine was on vacation and I had to use someone else it is was totally different. I complained and I had so many people calling leaving me messages of appoligies. My guy is great!
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: california
Hello, we have a new 2006 GX (appx 3 weeks now) and I too noticed the "clunk". It only seems to happen when the AIR-CONDITIONING is turned on. I assumed it was from the motor of the air-conditioning when the engine is idle. I have only experienced the cluck when I come to a stop after driving at higher speeds with the air-conditioning on...this does not occur when the air is off. Therefore, I assume this clunk is from the air-conditioning!...and yes, it does feel as if you have been rear-ended. The first time I experienced the clunk, I immediately looked in my rear-view mirror to see who hit me...nobody was there. Good luck in you research!!
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Advanced
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 744
Likes: 12
From: California
Originally Posted by robert55
Hello, we have a new 2006 GX (appx 3 weeks now) and I too noticed the "clunk". It only seems to happen when the AIR-CONDITIONING is turned on. I assumed it was from the motor of the air-conditioning when the engine is idle. I have only experienced the cluck when I come to a stop after driving at higher speeds with the air-conditioning on...this does not occur when the air is off. Therefore, I assume this clunk is from the air-conditioning!...and yes, it does feel as if you have been rear-ended. The first time I experienced the clunk, I immediately looked in my rear-view mirror to see who hit me...nobody was there. Good luck in you research!!
Pole Position
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
We've got it now too on our late build '04. Didn't get it until 8k miles and now have 10k on it. Clunks only a few times a week, and usually at the first light after getting of the highway. We'll have the dealer check it out when we get the oil change at 12k.
Rookie
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 79
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From: Florida
Clunk Fix
Spoke with the service department and they say they are aware of the problem and it can be fixed easily. Seems that the teflon coated splines in the drive shaft are not seating properly at times. A little shaving and the problem is solved. At my 10K service the fix will be performed. I will post results after that. Who knows, maybe there is a dealership that follows the TSB's 
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Florida
The 'clunk' is related to the rear drive shaft. It has nothing to do with A/C, suspension or other. I had it on my 03 and it was worked on twice. The last time it was repaired, the drive shaft was replaced with a new version..
The part number for the shaft is :37110-6A480.
The work was performed on 1/31/05 @ 15178 miles. Today I have 23276 miles on the car.
There has been no more 'clunk' since then.
The service order reads: "Still has back lash type feeling when at almost a complete stop. Please perform upgrade TSIB for this concern. Replaced drive shaft. Modified new propeller shaft."
Total labor was 4. 4 hours. This indicates that 'modifying' the new shaft is time consuming, since the splines were lapped with valve grinding compound.
In summary I would like to say that there appears to be a repair for the clunk. It is too bad that some dealers prefer to ignore the Service Bulletins,
The part number for the shaft is :37110-6A480.
The work was performed on 1/31/05 @ 15178 miles. Today I have 23276 miles on the car.
There has been no more 'clunk' since then.
The service order reads: "Still has back lash type feeling when at almost a complete stop. Please perform upgrade TSIB for this concern. Replaced drive shaft. Modified new propeller shaft."
Total labor was 4. 4 hours. This indicates that 'modifying' the new shaft is time consuming, since the splines were lapped with valve grinding compound.
In summary I would like to say that there appears to be a repair for the clunk. It is too bad that some dealers prefer to ignore the Service Bulletins,
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: CA
Originally Posted by CaptnPete
........The part number for the shaft is :37110-6A480........The service order reads: "Still has back lash type feeling when at almost a complete stop. Please perform upgrade TSIB for this concern. Replaced drive shaft. Modified new propeller shaft."
Total labor was 4. 4 hours. This indicates that 'modifying' the new shaft is time consuming, since the splines were lapped with valve grinding compound........,
Total labor was 4. 4 hours. This indicates that 'modifying' the new shaft is time consuming, since the splines were lapped with valve grinding compound........,
In my case, the dealer did replace the drive shaft a year ago. They must have used the same defective type that came in the car. And / or, maybe they did not lapp it properly!
Hopefully they will figure it out. They are coming next to pick up the car.
