Vibration / Drone Fix
 

Has anyone had the Vibration / Drone fix done to their vehicle to eliminate the steering wheel vibration at different RPM's? If so, can you tell me if it resolved the problem?

Thanks,

Jim

check out the past thread about the vibration issue. i think the title is "Vibration". It has all our comments and solutions for it.

JimsGx , does ur gx have a vibration problem??? mine definitely doesn't have the vibration cuz i already had mine in for the 'clunk", which i call thump, problem fixed and they found no other problem.

I have looked at the past thread but it doesn't answer my question...

For those that have had the recently released vibration / drone fix installed, how successful was the fix? Here's the service bulletin details:

A STEERING VIBRATION & DRIVELINE VIBRATION/DRONE
CAUSE: INSTALL UPDATED PARTS FOR VIBRATION
ST3010 STEERING VIBRATION & DRIVELINE
VIBRATION/DRONE

1 41196-60010 DAMPER, DIFFERENTIAL
2 90080-10167 BOLT, WASHER BASED H
1 52380-60061 SUPPORT ASSY, DIFFER
1 51405-35101 COVER S/A, ENGINE UN
1 45219-60090 YOKE, STEERING SLIDI
1 45203-60120 SHAFT SUB-ASSY, STRG
FC: 44,99
PART#: 41196-60010
COUNT: 1
2727 DRONE NOISE, SERVICE BULLETIN ST3010

I had this installed a few weeks ago but it didn't fix the problem. I'm still getting vibration between 1200-1500 rpm and 1700-2000 rpm...

I think this fix, successful or not, doesn't address the root cause of the vibration, it only attempts to mask a symptom. Lexus has yet to address the root cause.

Jim

yup, looks like no luck, checked out the past posts bout vibration, check this out. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ight=Vibration

What build is your truck?
 

Mine is a 04 with the build 9700E I don't have that problem, I think only some of the 9700C trucks did.

Re: What build is your truck?
 

Mine is a 9700E with a build date of February 2004... The mechanic drove another one on the lot a week ago to compare it to mine and it had the same vibration.

What irks me is that in the repair order the resolution states that the "vehicle is operating as designed". This is the response when bringing it back after the service bulletin fixed was applied at the previous visit.

Jim

My truck is a 9700E build with Michelin tires. There is no vibration whatsoever, at any speed. After hearing about the widespread vibration problem around 1800 RPM, I held my breath most of the way home from the dealership. I was pleasantly surprised at the extremely smooth ride. It's hard to imagine any kind of variation in the assembly of the truck since it only comes from one factory. The only obvious variation is the tire manufacturer.

Search for item number 10006194 at NHTSA shows a Service Bulletin number 00404 for vibration. Still when I went for 10K service last weekend the service consultant said that lexus is still working on the vibration and cluncking issue, and was not aware of any fix yet. I am confused how other people are getting their's fixed.

There is a fix for the clunking problem. It's a redesigned rear drive shaft with spline changes.

This is the fix I had installed a couple weeks back that didn't fix the vibration problem...

Jim

Hi Jim;

I found out about this problem the first time I drove the car at 70 mph. That was right before christmas when I got the very first 04' trucks that had the backup camera and KDSS system. I reported the problem to my dealer Lindsay of Alexandria, and was surprised to know that they were aware of it but did not have a fix.

I had the general manager involved in this and fnally a month or so ago I had a call from him informing me that they have a fix for the problem from Lexus. After they installed the exact same list of items on the above post, I experinced a lot less of that droning noise at 70 mph. It seems that it is almost gone, you can barely hear it at all. I would say that If I never knew about this issue I wouldn't have heard it at all after the modification parts were put in.

Anyway I don't think that the Mod realy fixed it 100%. Also it took a second effort by the shop foreman to get mine this good, because I took it back and he apparently made a few more adjustments the second time.

I don't know how to tell my trucks built? 9700? However I think that all GX trucks have this problem and a lot of people either don't do 70mph or just don't hear it. After all it is not that loud and if you have the radio on or the window open you don't hear it at all, even without the fix. At the end I should say that I am very disappointed that they didn't fix it 100%.

Can some one please tell me how you find out about your version built? Thanks Bob
:o

Look at your window sticker that has the standard and optional equipment listed. In the upper right corner, you will see............

GX470 5-DR SUV

2004 / 9700 E

BLACK

SERIAL NUMBER JTJBTxxxxxxxxx PORT LA


(So my truck is an E build, Black Onyx and Los Angeles was the port of entry)

I just want to say that it's amazing how much information and expertise this website has to offer. I learn new things from CL everyday.:thumbup:

Hi Advphoto,

I'm starting to wonder if my problem is unrelated to the drone since the symptom the vehicle is exhibiting is somwhat different than most of the posts I've seen here stating that the 1800rpm range is where they are hearing / feeling the vibration...

I can actually feel the vibration through the steering wheel simply buy putting the vehicle in drive, firmly holding my foot on the brake at a standstill, and raising the rpm's up into either the 1200 to 1500rpm range or into the 1700 to 2000 rpm range. I get a distinct vibration that can be felt through the steering wheel in both these rpm ranges.

When I'm moving I do get the same vibration within these rpm ranges as well... Can anyone replicate the steering wheel vibration at a standstill other than me? I may actually have a motor mount / transfer case mount or alignment problem...

I can also get the vehicle to vibrate in reverse or forward while turning from a stop (both left or right). Under these conditions, the whole vehicle seems to vibrate more so than the steering wheel.

Jim

That sounds like a different problem. The vibration problem generally happens between 1700-2000rpm at light throttle appplication (such as keeping the car at an even speed around 65-70mph). Thats where most people have noticed it. Its a llight "thrumming" that comes thru the gas pedal and steering wheel.

Just to be clear again - this isnt about the tires. At all. ever. Tires dont factor into this issue.

The other problem some of us are having is a rear end whine from the ring and pinion. That's also a seperate issue and not as widely reported (hopefully - less people are experiencing it)

Even with all these issues - I still love the truck. Had it out in 2 feet of snow and on the beach in heavy silt. Never a pproblem. Mines an early build 2003 - delivered in January 2003.

Im bringing mine in for the "thump" fix soon. I didnt know there was a vibration fix till I read it today. Doesnt sound like it fixes anything - But im willing to try!!

177mph

Well so much for my tire theory. If you can feel the vibrations with the RPMs up and the truck stopped, it's not caused by the driveshafts, steering, front end alignment or tire balance. Have you had the transmission checked out? Have you run the engine up to the mentioned RPMs in Neutral or Park with no vibration? :confused:

Yes, it will do it in neutral but to a lesser extent. It may just be that it's the same problem but more pronounced on my truck than some others since I also experience the "droning" in the 1700 to 2000 rpm range at light accelleration and the steering / pedal vibration feels the same as when I run it up when it's standing still.

Jim

Wow. Now it sounds like an engine problem or a defective motor mount. Either of these two would cause more pronounced vibration under load. I hope your service manager will get more involved and take your truck problems on as a challenge and not a "pain in the butt and we have done all we can do" kind of attitude. I wish there was some solid technical advice to give you. :sad:

Advphoto,

When you took it back the second time for additional adjustments do you have any idea what they actually did to make it better?

Jim

Drone not vibration
 

Hi Jim;

I am also somewhat confused, it seems like some people who hear the droning noise have the vibration through the steering wheel as well, however I never had that vibration problem. I always thought thats the way people describe it or a seprate problem. So to clarify this further, I have to explaine the exact problem with my truck:

A droning / whining / whaaa...whaaa ... noise only and I emphesize only, when I was doing 70mph or more under sustained power not when I eased off the gas pedal. This noise combined with a feeling that something was rubbing under the driver's side cabin, just under your left foot.

So in the TSR by Lexus, it mentioned that it will fix this noise plus the vibration felt on the steering wheel. Not having the vibrations of any sort, the TSR fixed 90% of my problem as mentioned on my previous post.

Now I answer your question Jim:
After I took it in the second time to the dealer and said that their MOD kit did not fix the problem, ( at that point it was about 40% better) The tech went on a test drive with me and agreed that there was still a problem.
And when I picked up the car again the adviser said that the only thing they did was more adjustments on the installed parts.
:eek1: