OkNowWhat

2001 LS430 (non-air suspension)

Just wanted to share my experience with vibration at specific freeway speeds (usually 55-60 mph)

The car initially had pretty bad steering wheel vibration at freeway speed. I had the tires re-balanced and turned out one of the front tires was off by about 1oz. I thought this fixed it because the vibration was way, way less than it was before. I still felt a little bit of vibration but it was so minor I couldn't really tell if it was there or if it was my imagination.

I ended up taking the car to get an alignment for honestly no reason in particular other than it had never been done in 100k miles. Surprisingly when I got back on the freeway the vibration was totally gone. The only adjustment during the alignment was a slight change of toe on the front and rear passenger side.

Anyway just thought I'd share if anyone else was having vibration issues.

tallcaguy

Glad to hear it worked out. Front end vibrations at 55-60 and around 100k often worn out lower control arm bushings.

Johnhav430

I bought my car used in Oct., replaced the LCA bushings, the indie rebalanced the online etailer rims/tires (free/took it upon himself), and then I did an alignment, and the car is smooth as silk. Since I am not back on the summer tires which came with the car and have not been rebalanced, and the car is smooth as silk, if I had to venture an educated guess, the alignment had the biggest effect. 3/4 wheels were off, and the rear right is still out of spec at -1.9 camber, but per the forum that is not unusual. Sometimes we start replacing things and spending money, when the simpler solution is not performed first...and the best part of the alignment is that the wheel is completely and perfectly centered. I got the lifetime for $179 at Firestone. I'll take it back at 6k just to see if anything moved. They had a smokin' $149 deal a few weeks ago, it's only money....

OkNowWhat

Thanks for the info, if i feel it creeping back I'll check into those bushings.

Johnhav430

There's no question that the bushings will crack and tear, so replacing them at some point is necessary (I had visible cracks and one tear at 11 yrs. and 81k)...I just love how cheap they are for OEM on eBay...I paid $62 ea, and have seen them as low as $44, and they now seem to be $55, yet they list for $113. Then, an indie will do them for $150 to $300 in labor, and many have DIY'd....but replaying in my mind, I think the alignment did the most....I thought that I had eliminated a 55-65 mph vibration with the LCA job, but as I went up to 75 mph there was a vibration again...today, nothing!....

I do have a clunk when hitting a bump a certain way (not a speed bump, won't do it), indie is fairly certain it's the brake pads moving, because he repeatedly hit the same bumps that caused the sound, with brakes applied, and no sound...with the shim kit being around $50 for OEM, it's on my to do, but no hurry...

edit: here's my old one, but they all tend to look very similar....