After several failed attempts at the dealer where they installed felt around the vents, I decided to take matters into my own hands. This is an easy DIY. I removed the center dual vent above the HVAC with a flathead screwdriver pulling the clips (x4) toward you (Shown on the right vent x2)



With the screwdriver, press the tab inward and pull outward to remove the electrical wires (x2)



The unit behind the grey plastic facade is actually two separate vents joined by a single small screw. THIS IS THE MAJOR SOURCE of the squeak. Flexing this slightly creates the irritating squeaking and cracking sound I often hear when the vent warms up using the heater or in summer (plastic expansion). You can replicate the issue yourself to confirm...



Applying dry graphite to the culprit area did it including the other clips (see above and below images). It's best to remove the screw and apply the graphite to all faces of the plastic from each vent in contact with each other. Make sure to spray the graphite on all the clips that make contact and the ones on the underside as well the the contact areas in the dash housing. It's also best to pull the grey vent facade to properly spray the clip joints (marked in red). Put the screw back on - tighten. Clip the facade back on.





You'll note the vent has felt that the dealer installed (which hardly worked). I've left it for now.

Put it all back. It's done. If the graphite is applied properly, squeaks from the vent will be gone!

 

A case of the broken picture links!

 

Embedded images didn't show up above, so attached in order.

 

Thanks for the write up,
I'll give this a try sometime

 

Yeah i get that crack when i use ac/heater too... i might try this sometime.

Thanks for the write up

 

Just one thing to be cautious of before you apply Dry Graphite. It works really well but permanently STAINS painted plastic. I accidentally dripped some of the graphite as it sprayed on (it's liquid at first then dries quickly) the facade of the vent cover. Cover the face or any other area that you don't want stained. I called Lexus to replace the grey vent cover. 350$ ! It's b/c they sell it with the entire unit pulled out. Looks like I have to find some matching touch up or spray can at the local hardware store. Oh well. Other than that, it's been rock solid the last 24 hrs and I'm FINALLY enjoying my Lexus after almost 2 years! If ever the squeak noise comes back, my plan B is to crazy glue the two back vents together where the screw joins the two plastic pieces so it never heat expands/rubs/flexes and creaks again!

 

Lucky enough, found the exact spray can color of paint at the local Home Hardware and the paint job matches beautifully. You can see the stain in the first picture (right vent, bottom center) near the top of this thread and after pictures below.

 

So basically you just spray that on those tabs? and that stops the cracking sound?

 

Nice DIY

 

corradoMR2:
you can get that vent from sewell for 162 + shipping

 

where do you exactly spray it? did the felt lining help?

 

Any other feedback as to whether the creaks ever came back afterwards? Anyone?

 

i've never heard any cracks from there have yet to use the heater thou

 

i'm gonna bump this up so i remember to do this. i get the crack when i use my heater.

 

I have creaks only when I drive tho, not when I use the vents.

Seems to be coming from the vents or NAVI console, might try this if someone can confirm that it works