Anyone else have this issue? I'm going to pull the fans tonight and see whats up. I had the screws replaced by lexus under the recall but they want $100 bucks for an inspection fee to see if that could be the cause.

 

not the screws its the shaft of the motors there both bad one more so then the other

 

If the same dealer that did the work is asking for the inspection fee I'd find another dealer and complain to corporate.

Sterling McCall tried to do the same thing to my sister, I no longer give them my business. Group1 are a bunch of crooks.

 

Yeah there customer service sucks. Thats why i do all the work i can myself.

I pulled the motors apart to find the rear bearing is a solid "copper/bronze" style and the front is a roller bearing. why didn't Toyota use a roller in both?

i went online and searched and found roller bearings that should work in the back.

 

The fan motor is pretty commonly used for HVAC applications. There is no need for a roller bearing in the back, a bronze one works fine unless the motor is loose in the mounts and causes it to wear out. You can't buy the motors separately anymore from Lexus, they force you to buy the entire assembly with the plastic frame and motors already installed.

The driver's side motor will die first only because it runs more frequently and therefore is more likely to have run a long time with loose screws. If you had the screw replacement done less than a year ago, you can file a warranty claim. Mine lasted more than a year, so I just bit the bullet and ordered a new assembly. Despite the foolishness published in the factory manual, there is absolutely no reason whatsoever to remove the radiator to remove the fans. If you have any reasonable mechanical experience at all, you can pull the fans in less than 30 minutes by yourself.

I thought about having my dad turn me a new bushing, but decided on simply replacing instead. I needed to get restored quickly as my Supra sucks for hauling kids around.

 

FWIW those bronze like bearings are not just one material, they are sintered bronze which is impregnated with oil so they self lubricate via capillary action as the material is more porous than bronze.

A pure bronze or brass material would need regular maintenance more so than its sintered counterpart.

 

I agree that the Bronze one worked fine till they didn't. I don't think replacing the whole unit is a great idea. i got roller bearings for the motors and it cost me $20 with 2 day shipping and i ordered 4 bearings in case i mess 2 up when pressing them in. I would rather spend the saved money on RR motor mounts and control arm bushings.

No kids here. But I do have a lx470 to drive in the mean time. Bearings will be here tomorrow. Ill post back how it goes.

 

got the bearings and put them in only time will tell. no vibration.......yet

 

drove around for work all day today 50 miles or so.....all good so far................

 

well over 1k and there still no vibration.

 

Update. Still going strong!!!

 

Still going!!!

 

And still going strong!!

 

Sup man, I sent you a private message.

 

Still working perfectly.