is this normal?

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Mar 7, 2007 | 09:15 AM

Rasengan

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From: IL

is this normal?

whenever i'm driving really slow like backing out of a driveway in either forward or reverse and the wheel is turned, the front tires seem to rock side to side and give off this weird grumbling sound...it feels like you're getting one of those automatic car washes that you have to drive your left tires into those rails and it tries to center your car...in short, it just doesn't turn smoothly...again, this only happens when going really slow and making a sharp turn

the car is getting checked this Friday but i'm just wondering if anyone else is having this same issue and if it's normal...i ran a search but didn't find anything, sorry if this has been discussed before

Mar 7, 2007 | 09:20 AM

CarDudeRI

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This exact same thing happens to me. When cutting the wheel when backing out of a parking space, the front tires feel as though they are riding on an uneven bearing... almost like the wheel is not round, but oval shaped. Difficult to explain, but i know exactly what you mean. I JUST started noticing this even though I've had my car since march of last year.

Mar 7, 2007 | 09:31 AM

Rasengan

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From: IL

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarDudeRI

did you buy your car brand new and/or have you hit any large pot holes? i bought mine used and there are minor scrapes on the right rim so i'm worried it may be a bent rim or something worse...but then a friend of mine said it's normal for electronically assisted rack-and-pinion cars to turn like that while going slow

Mar 7, 2007 | 09:33 AM

pocky

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From: SGV

It's quite normal. The wheel is tilted alot when you are at full lock. I thought it was odd at first. Okay I lied. I still think it feels odd. But I'm used to it.

Mar 7, 2007 | 09:37 AM

Rasengan

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From: IL

Quote:

Originally Posted by pocky

It's quite normal. The wheel is tilted alot when you are at full lock. I thought it was odd at first. Okay I lied. I still think it feels odd. But I'm used to it.

you don't know how relieved i feel now! i thought there may have been a problem with my rims or axels or something...THANKS!

Mar 7, 2007 | 09:41 AM

HKS350

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From: North Carolina

Your wheels camber slightly more when at full lock(as Pocky said)And welcome to low profile tires...less tire more noise.

Mar 7, 2007 | 09:42 AM

Soda

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From: Ca

MINE TOO.. Quite annoying though. Feels wierd. Don't like it!!

Mar 7, 2007 | 09:45 AM

Rasengan

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy

Your wheels camber slightly more when at full lock(as Pocky said)And welcome to low profile tires...less tire more noise.

i've owned a 3000GT, an RX-8, and a 350Z, all with 18's and low profiles and none of them felt like this when turning slowly which is why i was worried something was broken or loose

Quote:

Originally Posted by mort

Mine has always done the same thing. Glad to see you relieved. When you love these cars as much as most of us, we sometime worry about little stuff...is normal.

definitely! i've had this car now for 4 days and absolutely love it and all the features it can do...everyday i come on this site i find something new i can configure on the car! i've now done the NAV/ML hack (2nd night of ownership), i've changed the door unlock personalized settings to unlock all doors, i've ordered some new parking/foglight and 3 sets of white LED 194s, and i'm going to do the seatbelt beep trick today...this car is a techie's dream!

Last edited by Rasengan; Mar 7, 2007 at 09:52 AM.

Mar 7, 2007 | 09:57 AM

#10

HKS350

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From: North Carolina

My old IS300 didn`t either.When I bought the new IS it done this on the test drive,I wasn`t going to buy the car because of this.In a panic the salesman pulled the head tech down to the sales floor to explain the newer suspenison setup on the 2IS.All he said was that with the factory caster set at 7-8 degrees that when backing the suspenion rebound is greater and in turn makes more noise.

Mar 7, 2007 | 10:07 AM

#11

al503

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From: Oregon

The IS has a very small turning radius. I'm not a suspension expert but at the extremes, I'm sure one of the wheels is not pointing in the exact direction, which causes the slippage.

Mar 7, 2007 | 10:56 AM

#12

ES3

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From: SC

I know it's normal, but if anyone could have overcome this, I'd have bet Lexus could have?

Mar 7, 2007 | 11:07 AM

#13

al503

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From: Oregon

Quote:

Originally Posted by ES3

I know it's normal, but if anyone could have overcome this, I'd have bet Lexus could have?

There probably is a way but I'm sure that would either:
1. add to the complexity of the existing suspension parts, or
2. add another part to the suspension itself.

Lexus could have just decreased the turning radius to the point where you don't experience the slippage but I'll take the slip anyday.

Mar 7, 2007 | 01:25 PM

#14

TruPlaya26

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From: Miami, FL

You sure thats normal? i have a 94 es but im planning on getting an IS350 soon. that happened to my car a couple months back and it turned out that my rack and pinion was somewhat loose, my mechanic tightened it up and now its perfectly fine. maybe you guys should have it checked out just to be safe ...

Mar 7, 2007 | 03:10 PM

#15

lobuxracer

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From: Georgia

It is normal. Most Toyotas have around 3.5 degrees of caster. The RWD IS is a little over 8 degrees (so is Mercedes and BMW) to give more feedback. It also has some unusual effects with low profile tires in tight turns at parking lot speeds. However, it gives a much stronger "on-center" feel and adds camber in the direction of the turn when the wheels are turned but not when they are straight.