kctiger75

My first post and my reason for visiting this site.

99 LS400, 175K miles, (I've owned from day one), perfect in every way except for a highway speed vibration.

This vibration usually occurs above 65MPH, smooths out somewhat around 70 and gets worse between 75&80.

In the last 18 months, I have gone through a number of alignments, at least 4 new sets of tires (I now have Michelin upper-end all-season tires), I can't remember how many balancings (including road-force types) and I still can't get rid of the problem.

My Lexus dealer and a private shop (with former Lexus mechanics) have checked everything out and come up with nothing. Well, not nothing actually. The dealer wants me to consider replacing the front strut rods, the rear strut rod bushings and the front struts and strut caps, all to the tune of
around $1900.

HELP! I'm open to suggestions and am asking you folks before I call a witch doctor and an exorcist............

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Welcome-

Can you determine if the vibration is front or rear?

The list you shop gave is about what I would think too. I dunno about the strut mounts though...at ~$45 each, it's not a major expense since you would be having the struts replaced anyhow. It is good insurance against spring problems though. (I don't think it is very common to begin with.) YMMV there.

Changing all the struts for OEM, along with the upper mounts plus alignment will be about $700. Front strut bars go for $120 each, I dunno about the rear ones.

Alignments can add up if you keep at the hunt by replacing parts here and there. Most of us have replaced strut bars at minimal and if the struts have not been replaced, those need to be done. Those two are a good start IMO.

On mine, I've changed: struts, strut bars, tie rod ends and ball joints. Only parts remaining to be changed are the upper and lower control arms.

skperformance

iTrader: (6)

You have dead shocks.

kctiger75

The vibration is mostly from the front.

It doesn't seem to be affected by a tire rotation.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

If the struts haven't been changed and have 175K on them definitely. Now it is no guarantee this is the only suspension part you'll replace. As you replace with new parts, the older suspension components may let you know they have problems as well.

lexusnutt

I'm encountering the same issue also and thought it might be the struts also.
The stealer inspected the entire front end and said everything was tight.

I have a 2000 LS with 50k. SK, My question is this:
Can the struts wear out just from age and not mileage? Can the seals dry out from not being driven? There are no obvious leaks (oil).

Thanks in advance!

CptnTonus

Have you tried having the wheels balanced?

RA40

iTrader: (6)

It is difficult to verify how well struts do on the car unless they are obviously leaking or damaged. My stock units were dead at 60K miles. (This was before the suspension was modded.)

Parts that were visually inspected and stated as when removed, they were worn. The strut bar bushings...were inspected and worn. When they were taken off the car...they were much worse than first evaluated. These were replaced at 80K miles BTW.

Bottom line...if the car is having suspension issues, vibrations...the search begins. Some don't have any problems while in cases like mine, at 60K was the start.

This is a strong case of YMMV

steveski

Good point as my struts lasted until 160k nad I too had a vibration. I replaced the lower ball joints, struts and springs and now the car doesn't vibrate. With 170k miles on OEM struts, ball joints, etc. that's gotta be the culprit.

My shop visually inspected the car and the jacked it up. Once they had it apart they could tell the parts were worn

skperformance

iTrader: (6)

My shocks don't bounce around but the stock ones did not either. I could tell it had a vibration problem by driving with the window open when the road was wet after raining . I could hear the wheel bouncing up and down as the valves where dead. They do not show any leaks but i knew it was time for them to go. Problem solved after replacing them.
You may have a slight imbalance but it is almost impossible to get it perfect. Once the shocks are dead even the smallest balance issue will cause the wheel to hop and vibrate.

lexusnutt

After bringing my car back and forth to the stealer a few times, I firmly requested that they investigate and resolve the vibration and ride issue once and for all.

The solution was replacing tires that were out of round (crappy Pirelli p zero nero with Michelins) road force rebalancing 3 times, and finally replacing the front strut rods. The bushings on the strut rods were worn out prematurely probably due to the crappy tires and poor balancing over a period of time.

The car now rides perfectly. I was prepared to shell out some major dollars to have all the shocks replaced, but that was not the case.

The price to get them done would've been $500 but luckily the rods were covered under warranty.

Cheers!

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Glad that worked out.