Hi guys,
Need some help please. So I bought a 2010 GX460 with 160,000 miles. I got the car last week. I started an earlier post about it but this is about the annoying rattle, which is really more like a metal ringing sound.

Basically every time I go over bumps it sounded like a metal rattle, basically like a washer is loose on a screw type of noise. It really bothered me and made it feel like the car was really falling apart and sounded very cheap.

I was able to isolate the noise the armrest in the middle row. Whenever it shakes or vibrates it sounds like something metal inside the mechanism is loose.
Bringing down the armrest doesn't help, but bring down the entire driver's side back in the middle row helps.
Can someone please help me eliminate this noise? Anyone ever experience this? I have no idea how to get to the mechanism to even see what's wrong

I am attaching a video I took of the noise. That me just hitting the armrest and is basically exactly what happens when I go over bumps or an uneven road.
It's hard to hear the distinct metal ringing sound though. I think you can hear it slightly in the beginning of the video, but it's a clear metal sound
https://www.dropbox.com/s/4rqjh6fkuz...%20PM.mov?dl=0


Thank you so much!

 

I probably can't help with this due to my rear is closed up. When I try to view the Dropbox video I have to log in. Just an FYI to all here. CL has added video to the picture upload recently. Click on the icon and upload pictures or videos to your post.

 

Maybe you changed your settings? I clicked on it again and I can see the video. Hard to tell what's going on with you beating on it and shaking it, LOL.
yea, I know it is frustrating to find that pesky rattle. If it is in the center console you must disassemble it.

 

Sure it's not related to that TSB?

 

Lol. Didn't change settings.

Is it simple to disassemble? I'm not sure if it's TSB related. I'm trying to avoid taking it to the dealership for this. I'm sure it won't be cheap

 

I wouldn't take to dealer either... TSB does show general disassembly... part listed in TSB is less than $2

EDIT: Time is showing as 0.6 hour for work on TSB

 

Have you checked the spare carrier under the back? Is the chain slack too long?

 

bbqsoup,

That's funny you should ask. During my inspection I noticed a chain just dangling right under the spare. I asked the mechanic if it's supposed to be like that, and he said yes, that's it's holding the spare? He tucked the dangling chain back up between the rim spokes but said it's just going to fall back and down and is supposed to be like that!

Why did you bring the chain up? Could this somehow be tied into this??

 

It's supposed to have some slack and hanging down a bit and not resting on the spare rim. If you can pull it down and let it hang see if it helps.

 

It had some slack and was hanging down originally and I still heard the metal ringing. I think it's definitely coming from the center arm...
I haven't seen any other GX where the chain just hangs down. If im driving behind my car I would see the chain hanging down, although not touching the ground...

The directions in that TSB seem a bit complex for me, I cant even figure out what those diagrams mean, and I'll need to take the whole seat out?
Should I just suck it up and bring it in to Lexus and show them this TSB printout? It's really making the driving experience horrible to the point that I had going over bumps because of the noise. Feels like the the car is falling apart.

 

I'd bring it to Lexus and do what you said. You can also have the advisor sit along with you to make sure they hear the sound too.

 

I know this is somewhat an old post but I tried clicking the TSB link and it keeps bombing out. Anyone have a good link? I’m having the same problem, loose rear center seat and it’s driving me absolutely nuts.

 

I fixed the link in that thread. This will pull it up now.