Refreshing suspension/smooth ride (Calling mechanics)
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From: Ohio
Refreshing suspension/smooth ride (Calling mechanics)
I'll start off by saying I'm not a mechanic. I understand the basics of a car, but not to the extent to know what I should replace to achieve what I want in the ride.
I have a 2005 LS430 with 72,000 miles Ultra Luxury air suspension. Currently have Michelin tires. The car is overal a nice ride but I want to make it ride like it is brand new.
I want to make a list of all of the parts I should replace and start with the cheaper replacement parts first. My main goal is to have a vibration free ride especially in the steering wheel. Right now I'm getting some feedback and vibrations even after having the tires road force balanced. Car seems to be loose and kind of wavy over bumps.
The items I will be looking into based off of a google search is the upper and lower control arms, sway bar bushings, tie rod ends, and of course the suspension which I want to replace last.
What parts of the steering assembly can I replace to tighten it while keeping it soft and vibration free?
I'm hoping some mechanics/engineers who understand the dynamics of the suspension can chime in and direct me to the items I should replace. Cost and time is not an issue. End goal is to make it ride like it was new.
Thanks!
I have a 2005 LS430 with 72,000 miles Ultra Luxury air suspension. Currently have Michelin tires. The car is overal a nice ride but I want to make it ride like it is brand new.
I want to make a list of all of the parts I should replace and start with the cheaper replacement parts first. My main goal is to have a vibration free ride especially in the steering wheel. Right now I'm getting some feedback and vibrations even after having the tires road force balanced. Car seems to be loose and kind of wavy over bumps.
The items I will be looking into based off of a google search is the upper and lower control arms, sway bar bushings, tie rod ends, and of course the suspension which I want to replace last.
What parts of the steering assembly can I replace to tighten it while keeping it soft and vibration free?
I'm hoping some mechanics/engineers who understand the dynamics of the suspension can chime in and direct me to the items I should replace. Cost and time is not an issue. End goal is to make it ride like it was new.
Thanks!
Last edited by leisinjp; Jan 28, 2019 at 09:13 PM. Reason: Added info
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Joined: Dec 2017
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From: FL
I have noticed some LS430 drivers in this forum have similar complaints as yours - vibration in steering wheel and wavy loose ride. I may assure you that none of these should be present (LS430 should be very solid at any speed without any play) and if they are, I highly suggest to do the following:
- put the car on alignment stand, loose all key suspension bolts, shake the car, retorque all bolts. Now proceed to re torque suspension member bolts (rear fluid suspension mount bushing plays critical role), flange drive shaft bolts.
- do alignment
- ensure no play in steering parts
- do zero point calibration
- check the condition of your shocks and springs. In US , unfortunately, auto shops do not purchase vibration road test tools, therefore there is no way to estimate the life of shocks and springs.
- tires themselves play huge role in car behavior. I have ultra summer Kumho and they are “over quality” compared to the price I paid.
- steering wheel vibrations are usually caused by failed wheel balancing. Moreover, it is critically important to correctly install tires on our cars - most shops do it incorrectly with air tools.
- put the car on alignment stand, loose all key suspension bolts, shake the car, retorque all bolts. Now proceed to re torque suspension member bolts (rear fluid suspension mount bushing plays critical role), flange drive shaft bolts.
- do alignment
- ensure no play in steering parts
- do zero point calibration
- check the condition of your shocks and springs. In US , unfortunately, auto shops do not purchase vibration road test tools, therefore there is no way to estimate the life of shocks and springs.
- tires themselves play huge role in car behavior. I have ultra summer Kumho and they are “over quality” compared to the price I paid.
- steering wheel vibrations are usually caused by failed wheel balancing. Moreover, it is critically important to correctly install tires on our cars - most shops do it incorrectly with air tools.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 377
Likes: 14
From: Ohio
I have noticed some LS430 drivers in this forum have similar complaints as yours - vibration in steering wheel and wavy loose ride. I may assure you that none of these should be present (LS430 should be very solid at any speed without any play) and if they are, I highly suggest to do the following:
- put the car on alignment stand, loose all key suspension bolts, shake the car, retorque all bolts. Now proceed to re torque suspension member bolts (rear fluid suspension mount bushing plays critical role), flange drive shaft bolts.
- do alignment
- ensure no play in steering parts
- do zero point calibration
- check the condition of your shocks and springs. In US , unfortunately, auto shops do not purchase vibration road test tools, therefore there is no way to estimate the life of shocks and springs.
- tires themselves play huge role in car behavior. I have ultra summer Kumho and they are “over quality” compared to the price I paid.
- steering wheel vibrations are usually caused by failed wheel balancing. Moreover, it is critically important to correctly install tires on our cars - most shops do it incorrectly with air tools.
- put the car on alignment stand, loose all key suspension bolts, shake the car, retorque all bolts. Now proceed to re torque suspension member bolts (rear fluid suspension mount bushing plays critical role), flange drive shaft bolts.
- do alignment
- ensure no play in steering parts
- do zero point calibration
- check the condition of your shocks and springs. In US , unfortunately, auto shops do not purchase vibration road test tools, therefore there is no way to estimate the life of shocks and springs.
- tires themselves play huge role in car behavior. I have ultra summer Kumho and they are “over quality” compared to the price I paid.
- steering wheel vibrations are usually caused by failed wheel balancing. Moreover, it is critically important to correctly install tires on our cars - most shops do it incorrectly with air tools.
Alignment has been done by the Lexus dealer
Will have a mechanic check the steering parts
Car has 4 nice Michelin's on it so I figured it can't be the brand of tire
Had the Lexus dealer do a road force balance also
Mechanic said that one of the rear air suspension shocks had some oil on it but that he tested it out and it wasn't failing. Was getting old, but not needing to be replaced yet. Plus I'm having issues with the front of the car, the not rear. Unless somehow the rear suspension can somehow make the steering wheel vibrate.
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From: PA
Agreed that there shouldn't be any vibrations in the steering wheel. Mine unfortunately is slightly off center after the last 2 alignments, was perfect before. But zero drifting, pulling, or shaking.
When I got the car, I did have a vibration at a certain speed, maybe 50-65. Above that, it went away or was not discernable.
I decided to have the LCA bushings replaced with new OE, pressed out, back in, and that did not help. The indie who did so advised me they did not believe it would do anything, and they were right. The originals were, however, cracked slightly, at 80k and 11 y.o.
To make matters a moving target, the indie rebalanced my front wheels. These were snow tires purchased online, and were Hunter Road Force, and now, were not. I also got an alignment within a week, and no more vibration. The problem is I will never know which action corrected the vibration, as they were done very close together and I had no opportunity to drive 50-65 to see if the problem existed after the wheel balance.
Since you have already tried a wheel balance, then if your issue were same as mine, you could try an alignment....good luck.
edit: p.s. using further logic, only 2/4 of the snow tires were rebalanced. Since the work was done 2 years ago, I have rotated pairs of snows on different axles, and no vibration. So the fact that 2 are HRF, 2 done by indie, and no vibration, would imply the rebalance did not do anything...
When I got the car, I did have a vibration at a certain speed, maybe 50-65. Above that, it went away or was not discernable.
I decided to have the LCA bushings replaced with new OE, pressed out, back in, and that did not help. The indie who did so advised me they did not believe it would do anything, and they were right. The originals were, however, cracked slightly, at 80k and 11 y.o.
To make matters a moving target, the indie rebalanced my front wheels. These were snow tires purchased online, and were Hunter Road Force, and now, were not. I also got an alignment within a week, and no more vibration. The problem is I will never know which action corrected the vibration, as they were done very close together and I had no opportunity to drive 50-65 to see if the problem existed after the wheel balance.
Since you have already tried a wheel balance, then if your issue were same as mine, you could try an alignment....good luck.
edit: p.s. using further logic, only 2/4 of the snow tires were rebalanced. Since the work was done 2 years ago, I have rotated pairs of snows on different axles, and no vibration. So the fact that 2 are HRF, 2 done by indie, and no vibration, would imply the rebalance did not do anything...
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 377
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From: Ohio
Agreed that there shouldn't be any vibrations in the steering wheel. Mine unfortunately is slightly off center after the last 2 alignments, was perfect before. But zero drifting, pulling, or shaking.
When I got the car, I did have a vibration at a certain speed, maybe 50-65. Above that, it went away or was not discernable.
I decided to have the LCA bushings replaced with new OE, pressed out, back in, and that did not help. The indie who did so advised me they did not believe it would do anything, and they were right. The originals were, however, cracked slightly, at 80k and 11 y.o.
To make matters a moving target, the indie rebalanced my front wheels. These were snow tires purchased online, and were Hunter Road Force, and now, were not. I also got an alignment within a week, and no more vibration. The problem is I will never know which action corrected the vibration, as they were done very close together and I had no opportunity to drive 50-65 to see if the problem existed after the wheel balance.
Since you have already tried a wheel balance, then if your issue were same as mine, you could try an alignment....good luck.
edit: p.s. using further logic, only 2/4 of the snow tires were rebalanced. Since the work was done 2 years ago, I have rotated pairs of snows on different axles, and no vibration. So the fact that 2 are HRF, 2 done by indie, and no vibration, would imply the rebalance did not do anything...
When I got the car, I did have a vibration at a certain speed, maybe 50-65. Above that, it went away or was not discernable.
I decided to have the LCA bushings replaced with new OE, pressed out, back in, and that did not help. The indie who did so advised me they did not believe it would do anything, and they were right. The originals were, however, cracked slightly, at 80k and 11 y.o.
To make matters a moving target, the indie rebalanced my front wheels. These were snow tires purchased online, and were Hunter Road Force, and now, were not. I also got an alignment within a week, and no more vibration. The problem is I will never know which action corrected the vibration, as they were done very close together and I had no opportunity to drive 50-65 to see if the problem existed after the wheel balance.
Since you have already tried a wheel balance, then if your issue were same as mine, you could try an alignment....good luck.
edit: p.s. using further logic, only 2/4 of the snow tires were rebalanced. Since the work was done 2 years ago, I have rotated pairs of snows on different axles, and no vibration. So the fact that 2 are HRF, 2 done by indie, and no vibration, would imply the rebalance did not do anything...
Yeah it is tough to find exactly what is causing the issue. I got it aligned so I don't think it is that either.
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 594
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From: Kentucky
I will see if I can find a mechanic that will loosen all of those parts and retorque them.
Alignment has been done by the Lexus dealer
Will have a mechanic check the steering parts
Car has 4 nice Michelin's on it so I figured it can't be the brand of tire
Had the Lexus dealer do a road force balance also
Mechanic said that one of the rear air suspension shocks had some oil on it but that he tested it out and it wasn't failing. Was getting old, but not needing to be replaced yet. Plus I'm having issues with the front of the car, the not rear. Unless somehow the rear suspension can somehow make the steering wheel vibrate.
Alignment has been done by the Lexus dealer
Will have a mechanic check the steering parts
Car has 4 nice Michelin's on it so I figured it can't be the brand of tire
Had the Lexus dealer do a road force balance also
Mechanic said that one of the rear air suspension shocks had some oil on it but that he tested it out and it wasn't failing. Was getting old, but not needing to be replaced yet. Plus I'm having issues with the front of the car, the not rear. Unless somehow the rear suspension can somehow make the steering wheel vibrate.
If I were you, I would swap right front to right rear wheel. Drive it, see if the vibration changes. If not, swap the left side. Drive it, if that does not change, now you should look at the suspensions and steering components. Obviously if the vibration changes after the swap, the problem is the wheel and/or tire. Any chance your nice Michelin maybe has develop a broken belt? That would cause all kind of vibrations.
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From: Ohio
So what does the Lexus dealer said the problem is after alignment and road force balance?
If I were you, I would swap right front to right rear wheel. Drive it, see if the vibration changes. If not, swap the left side. Drive it, if that does not change, now you should look at the suspensions and steering components. Obviously if the vibration changes after the swap, the problem is the wheel and/or tire. Any chance your nice Michelin maybe has develop a broken belt? That would cause all kind of vibrations.
If I were you, I would swap right front to right rear wheel. Drive it, see if the vibration changes. If not, swap the left side. Drive it, if that does not change, now you should look at the suspensions and steering components. Obviously if the vibration changes after the swap, the problem is the wheel and/or tire. Any chance your nice Michelin maybe has develop a broken belt? That would cause all kind of vibrations.
They said the had issue with one of the tires road force balancing the first time so they did it again and didn't have an issue. It makes me believe that it could be that.
But either way, I still plan on freshening up the rubber parts and parts that directly affect the steering. I plan on driving the car for awhile as it only has 70,000 miles. I'm going to get the car perfect or I might as well just bought a Corolla and felt every bump in the road
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From: Ohio
The front two are the Primacy MXM4 and the two rear are Primacy MXV4. If it was up to me I would want all 4 to be the MXV4 as it seems to be more of a Grand Touring tire. But the previous owner had the two sets so I'm going to drive it till they need replaced.
Of course unless I find out that the actual tire is causing the issue. Then I might bite the bullet and put 4 new tires on it. Not sure how it would affect the ride if I changed out only 1 and had 3 tires at 65% on it.
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From: Kentucky
They said the had issue with one of the tires road force balancing the first time so they did it again and didn't have an issue. It makes me believe that it could be that.
But either way, I still plan on freshening up the rubber parts and parts that directly affect the steering. I plan on driving the car for awhile as it only has 70,000 miles. I'm going to get the car perfect or I might as well just bought a Corolla and felt every bump in the road
But either way, I still plan on freshening up the rubber parts and parts that directly affect the steering. I plan on driving the car for awhile as it only has 70,000 miles. I'm going to get the car perfect or I might as well just bought a Corolla and felt every bump in the road
Thread Starter
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From: Ohio
Thread Starter
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From: Ohio
When you say road crown wandering are you talking about where the road might be raised a little from semi trucks or heavy vehicles driving on that pavement and then the steering wheel pulls left and right depending on what side you are on? If so, my car does that all the time and it is so annoying! I'll definitely look into the lower control arm bushings.
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From: Indiana
When you say road crown wandering are you talking about where the road might be raised a little from semi trucks or heavy vehicles driving on that pavement and then the steering wheel pulls left and right depending on what side you are on? If so, my car does that all the time and it is so annoying! I'll definitely look into the lower control arm bushings.
When the lower control arm bushings are worn they allow the toe to change dynamically based on the loading condition on the wheel. So when you change lanes, you’ll feel some weird pulling during the transition as your tires travel over the varying slopes. It will generally pull more in either the left or right lane.
Do you have oem wheels? If youre running wider front tires, it will feel worse.