Hello

Just found the forums and happy to join. Purchased a 2006 last month primarily for my wife as she just loves the look. The truck has 77k miles on it, white w/light tan leather and is wonderful.

As I don't have the history, although I believe it's been dealer maintained for the most part, I was wondering what things I should have serviced right out of the box with 77k miles on it?

Let me throw some things I'm thinking out there and see what you guys think:

- Trans fluid / service
- diff fluid / service
- inspection of drive shafts & axles
- inspect and flush all fluids?

The truck was serviced (typical oil service) at the Volvo dealer I purchased it from, but because they took it on a trade and are not a Lexus/Toyota dealer I would still feel better seeing some things are serviced before settling into a standard maintenance routine.

The only thing at present I want my repair facility to look into is there is a very slight vibration, every so often, that comes through the steering wheel -- makes me wonder if the power steering fluid is full, etc ... or something like that.

Looking forward to reading many posts about these awesome trucks.

-BierGut

 

First thing I would suggest is to find out its service history so you know what has already been done. Here is a link to Lexus website where you can find out the service history at the dealer
https://secure.drivers.lexus.com/lexusdrivers/home

Up to 77k miles, the maintenance services basically include changing all fluids, except for transmission which is at 120k miles. The 90k miles service would include replacing the timing belt at which time it is also recommended to change the water pump

The steering vibration may be coming from the wheels, so you may want to have them checked out.

 

I really wouldn't sweat doing too much until 90k, unless you are super ****(not that there's a problem with that at all...LOL) and you could do all fuilds except the coolant, and then hit all the belts and coolant at 90k. Tranny yes doesn't need to be touched, but neither really do the other fluids right now so long as they look, feel and smell normal.

The steering wheel shimmy, I'd bet money a tire or two isn't balanced well enough. You may have lost a wheel weight too, it should be pretty easy to spot that.

My local Lexus dealer has Hunter Road Force alignment and balancing machines, they are really necessary nowadays balancing big wheel/tire combos. Make sure the place you go has Hunter Road Force Balance balancing machines and I bet they will make the shimmy go away.

Oh, and welcome! I just bought a '05 Blizzard Pearl/Tan leather with the gold exterior package and I love it!

 

Welcome Eric, & Congrats on yr purchase and welcome to CL.
Regards to your issues there are two ways of looking into the vibration.
1. One is called "Steering Flutter". That is if the truck is lying at the dealer for a pretty long time being for sale. The tires can develop flat spots. Here you can do is visual inpection of all the 4 tires( but not much of help). Better go to the tire alignment guys have the Tire Dial gauge to check the flat spots on the tire.
2. Another vibration is the Steering Drive Line Vibration & the Remedy to this you have to change the Front Differential Dynamic Dampers the Differential Supports and the Steering Slide yoke.( 1 days job)

 

Excellent! Thanks for the link. The truck is up to date on everything and ready to go in another few thousand for the oil service. The site is great if you want to run everything through Lexus which is the plan at the moment.

-BG

 

Thanks for the reply.

The tires are new the day we drove off the lot and for a few weeks there didn't seem to be this vibration. In fact, vibration may be a little too strong a term for what I feel... it can be explained also like a buzzing. The vibration is so soft and so tight it feels like a slight buzz through the steering wheel. The feeling is also intermittent. In truth, at this point in time I am not all that concerned, but will keep my radar up on it. If anyone has any further thoughts --- most appreciated.

Thanks again - BG

 

Thanks mann777!
Are these basically subframe and steering rack bushings? Is there a preffered aftermarket brand to get for these?

If your tires were just put on I would suspect even more that a tire is not balanced perfectly. Have you re-torqued your lug nuts again just to make sure they are all tight?

 

Excellent suggestion -- It'll be checked by Noon.

 

PM yr email, will send the instruction to do the job. But cannot be done at home, unless your garage if fully equipped.