Notices
LS - 3rd Gen (2001-2006) Discussion topics related to the flagship Lexus LS430

Tilt steering dead - what are my options?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 14, 2010 | 09:29 AM
  #1  
sparky3's Avatar
sparky3
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 529
Likes: 3
From: Ohio
Default Tilt steering dead - what are my options?

2004 430 with over 132k miles - I drive it 99% of the time; wife rarely drives it. The wheel motor has died for the up/down of the wheel; the in and out do still work though.

I am going to get the C-best setting to disable the "auto tilt away", but since it's now stuck in the upmost position is there any way to manually get under there and take a wrench to adjust it down? It's not worth ~$1k to be able to tilt the wheel up and down. I am comfortable taking panels off the car to get to things.
Think it's possible to manually adjust the up/down steering with a wrench just for a one time "set it and forget it" setting?
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2010 | 09:41 AM
  #2  
DDLexus's Avatar
DDLexus
Racer
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,262
Likes: 34
From: Alabama
Default

i have a used tilt motor i'd sell you. I posted some pictures of the location of the little motor in another thread. It looks pretty easy to get to and replace.

PM if you're interested in buying the motor.
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2010 | 09:42 AM
  #3  
DDLexus's Avatar
DDLexus
Racer
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,262
Likes: 34
From: Alabama
Default

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/5992521-post8.html

here is the direct link to some pictures of the motor location.
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2010 | 09:49 AM
  #4  
sparky3's Avatar
sparky3
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 529
Likes: 3
From: Ohio
Default

PM sent....
Reply
Old Dec 16, 2010 | 11:16 AM
  #5  
sparky3's Avatar
sparky3
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 529
Likes: 3
From: Ohio
Default

Good news - it started working again, and I had Lexus disable the "Auto-Tilt Away" free of charge.

Thanks for the great offer, but I don't think I'm going to spend the money on the replacement motor.

Shawn
Reply
Old Dec 16, 2010 | 12:06 PM
  #6  
Slvr surfr's Avatar
Slvr surfr
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 13
From: dc
Default

Went to start my car today and found that it doesnt tilt up or down anymore after some time of having it work sparatically. Finally died today. Maybe the cold weather gave it the knockout punch but guess ill worry about it later. Tires first!!!
Reply
Old Dec 16, 2010 | 01:05 PM
  #7  
sparky3's Avatar
sparky3
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 529
Likes: 3
From: Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by Slvr surfr
Went to start my car today and found that it doesnt tilt up or down anymore after some time of having it work sparatically. Finally died today. Maybe the cold weather gave it the knockout punch but guess ill worry about it later. Tires first!!!
Try this - and no, it makes ZERO sense. Take the bottom piece off right behind the steering wheel. There are 3 screws - one in the middle directly below the wheel and 2 that you have to turn the wheel all the way around to get to. Mine starting working again magically after I removed this piece. It's done this TWICE now - last summer same thing. As soon as I removed it, it came back to life.
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2010 | 12:54 PM
  #8  
ChocosLS430's Avatar
ChocosLS430
Intermediate
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 396
Likes: 9
From: Hawaii
Default

Is your steering motor making some noise but cannot move and seems like it is stuck after pressing the steering up and down button? Mines had that problem and my Lexus mechanic said this is common if the car came from a very cold climate place and a part in the steering column which looks like a small metal rod gets stuck during the motor operation. He changed out that part within 1/2 hour time and now it works perfectly and never got stuck since the repair. It may be a good idea to check with various knowledgeable Master Lexus mechanics for their opinion before changing out the entire motor in case it's only a minor part that needs replacement. Most in house would not give you a theory on what could be wrong unless you bring in your car. The mobile master Lexus mechanic I used kind of knew what was wrong as soon as I mentioned the problem and he saved me a lot of money compared to what others wanted to replace. Hope this helps.
Reply
ClubLexus Stories

Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe

story-0

2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!

 Joe Kucinski
Old May 21, 2015 | 08:12 PM
  #9  
bustta1's Avatar
bustta1
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
Default do you still have tilt motor for sale

Originally Posted by DDLexus
i have a used tilt motor i'd sell you. I posted some pictures of the location of the little motor in another thread. It looks pretty easy to get to and replace.

PM if you're interested in buying the motor.
Hello...need tilt motor is yours still for sale
Reply
Old May 22, 2015 | 11:25 AM
  #10  
Rexor20's Avatar
Rexor20
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Default

So do you guys just go to the dealer and ask them to turn the tilt off? How long does it take for them to do?
Reply
Old May 22, 2015 | 02:30 PM
  #11  
sushiboiii's Avatar
sushiboiii
Driver
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 79
Likes: 3
From: CA
Default

its fairly quick. you can even take it to toyota to get done as well.

Originally Posted by bustta1
Hello...need tilt motor is yours still for sale
the post is from like 2010 im sure he doesn't have it anymore. there were plenty of them on ebay last time i needed to replace mine.
Reply
Old May 22, 2015 | 03:16 PM
  #12  
R Z's Avatar
R Z
Pole Position
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,210
Likes: 348
From: Tennessee
Default

the steering wheel tilt was also an issue with my 430. Never fixed it, just lived with it.
Reply
Old May 22, 2015 | 05:15 PM
  #13  
rkw77080's Avatar
rkw77080
Pole Position
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,188
Likes: 729
From: Texas
Default

Originally Posted by Rexor20
So do you guys just go to the dealer and ask them to turn the tilt off? How long does it take for them to do?
Alternatively (as a temporary solution), you can pull the 20A fuse called "TI&TE" in the driver-side fuse box. This will remove power for both the Tilt and Telescoping motors.
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2017 | 12:06 PM
  #14  
fperron's Avatar
fperron
Rookie
 
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 73
Likes: 6
From: FL
Default

Anyone happen to know if you have to pull the fuse while the wheel is in the down and extended position (with the key in the switch)? Seems like if you pulled the fuse while the wheel was retracted - it would stay that way after the fuse was pulled.
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2017 | 01:37 PM
  #15  
ProjektSON's Avatar
ProjektSON
Rookie
 
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Usa
Default

I would say set it how you want to keep it, then pull the fuse. You won't be able to adjust, and it won't auto adjust.
Reply



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 10:14 AM.

story-0
2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks

Slideshow: the 2026 IS 350 isn't all that new, and that's why we love it!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-04 14:35:23


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!

Slideshow: 10 most confusing things Lexus has ever done.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-04 09:40:55


VIEW MORE
story-2
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles

Slideshow: Our First-Drive Review of the 2026 Lexus ES!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-29 20:30:16


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4

Slideshow: 10 Lexus bargain that are cheaper than a new Toyota.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 10:28:20


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built

Slideshow: From hoverboards to luxury yachts, these are the strangest projects Lexus has ever attached its badge to.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-16 11:34:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Some luxury cars chase trends, but these Lexus models look better now than they did when they first rolled into showrooms.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-06 17:58:29


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!

Slideshow: How to Get the Best Fuel Economy with a Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-05 20:54:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers

Slideshow: 10 best Lexus models no one remembers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 17:33:28


VIEW MORE
story-8
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing

Slideshow: diving into 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium's pricing, performance, fuel economy, features, and amenities!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-23 13:09:18


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!

Slideshow: the 10 Lexus and Toyota vehicles you need to drive before you die.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-23 10:34:24


VIEW MORE