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The telescopic motor and linkage assembly on 1998-2000 LS400 and 2001-2006 LS430 is often reported on this site as failure prone and resides on a checklist of what to look for when considering purchasing a used Lexus.
Lexus issued aTechnical Service Bulletin to remedy the problem on 1998-2000 LS400's (early 98's had the 97 column)
Despite best efforts to clean and relubricate with expensive Lexus Lithium DiSulfide "Body Grease" the tilt and especially the telescopic motor (jack) screw continued to make disagreeable noise and vibration into the column.
The tilt and telescopic motors were fine however the linkage to the column was tired.
I determined to aquire new parts from Lexus to service the problem prone telescopic portion to accomplish this task.
The new parts include telescopic linkage upgrades listed in the TSB I have attached a P.N. list from the invoice and images of each P.N.
I was not satisfied with the fit of the stock zinc-plated steel telescopic jack screw with the tapped telescopic slider... First, zinc plating is unsuitable for use on a friction bearing surface, second the jack screw threads were uneven and pockmarked, third the fit between these critical parts was incredibly sloppy.
To resolve all three issues, I delivered both items to VP Anodizing, Inc. in Chicago for successful application of Teflon impregnation coating to increase surface lubricity and improve fit...
Lot charge was $100.
After reassembly with a mixture of body grease and Brake pin assembly lube (recommend by Lexus technician) the telescopic mechanism operated seamlessly, vibration free and completely silent. ...better than new.
The original jack screw is worn. (sliderTelescopic slider and rubber bushing already removed) The original lubricant was gray due to metallic content.. The flexible link between jack screw and motor was upgraded with a mini u-joint assembly. Proper care must be used when removing upper and lower plastic column covers... You will need to turn the steering wheel 90 dgrees to access two phillips screws normally hidden behind steering wheel.<br/>All replacement parts were easy to install..
Teelescopic screw before Teflon impregnation.
Telescopic slider before Teflon impregnation coating. Tapped threads appeared not to have any secondary machining...as the cost of part suggests
Telescopic slider rubber bushing.. The original was past its prime.
The telescopic motor and linkage assembly on 1998-2000 LS400 and 2001-2006 LS430 is often reported on this site as failure prone and resides on a checklist of what to look for when considering purchasing a used Lexus.
Lexus issued aTechnical Service Bulletin to remedy the problem on 1998-2000 LS400's (early 98's had the 97 column)
Despite best efforts to clean and relubricate with expensive Lexus Lithium DiSulfide "Body Grease" the tilt and especially the telescopic motor (jack) screw continued to make disagreeable noise and vibration into the column.
The tilt and telescopic motors were fine however the linkage to the column was tired.
I determined to aquire new parts from Lexus to service the problem prone telescopic portion to accomplish this task.
The new parts include telescopic linkage upgrades listed in the TSB I have attached a P.N. list from the invoice and images of each P.N.
I was not satisfied with the fit of the stock zinc-plated steel telescopic jack screw with the tapped telescopic slider... First, zinc plating is unsuitable for use on a friction bearing surface, second the jack screw threads were uneven and pockmarked, third the fit between these critical parts was incredibly sloppy.
To resolve all three issues, I delivered both items to VP Anodizing, Inc. in Chicago for successful application of Teflon impregnation coating to increase surface lubricity and improve fit...
Lot charge was $100.
After reassembly with a mixture of body grease and Brake pin assembly lube (recommend by Lexus technician) the telescopic mechanism operated seamlessly, vibration free and completely silent. ...better than new.
The original jack screw is worn. (sliderTelescopic slider and rubber bushing already removed) The original lubricant was gray due to metallic content.. The flexible link between jack screw and motor was upgraded with a mini u-joint assembly. Proper care must be used when removing upper and lower plastic column covers... You will need to turn the steering wheel 90 dgrees to access two phillips screws normally hidden behind steering wheel.<br/>All replacement parts were easy to install..
Teelescopic screw before Teflon impregnation.
Telescopic slider before Teflon impregnation coating. Tapped threads appeared not to have any secondary machining...as the cost of part suggests
Telescopic slider rubber bushing.. The original was past its prime.
Nice write up! Do the bushings part numbers 45866-60010 and 45866-60020 come 2 in bag or do we need to order two each? Where did you purchase your body grease? I am getting ready to dig in and see if I can fix my unit. Thanks!
I'm not surprised at loose tolerances with some threaded pieces. Some months back I was chasing threads to clean up a sloppily tapped part on a US produced Toyota product. The screw was good fortunately. Pretty bad that the assembly line uses a worn tap to cut threads on a critical part and install bolts that become cross threaded when torquing them down.
1998 -2006 telescopic steering solution
