Fed up with f-ing steering wheel shake!!!
Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 336
Likes: 40
From: Ohio
Found on another thread to put a zip tie with white lithium grease under the dash.
The steering column is not supported correctly and wears out the u joints on these cars causing a clunk and my theory is its part of the highway shimmy since I have had it for a while.
I put a zip tie around the column up to some steel bracket above and tightened it up until the steering feel got slightly stiffer and doused in white lithium grease.
wow..the easiest and most satisfying "repair" I've ever done. Highway shake went from moving 1/2" back and fourth to minimal vibration. need to keep playing around to make it perfect. perhaps some vibration dampers I saw in a thread recently.
Also clunking sound I couldn't track down is pretty much gone. this happened on turns or on rough roads going slow. insane results. I will buy a big fat zip tie so I can put it in and forget about it for years.
The steering column is not supported correctly and wears out the u joints on these cars causing a clunk and my theory is its part of the highway shimmy since I have had it for a while.
I put a zip tie around the column up to some steel bracket above and tightened it up until the steering feel got slightly stiffer and doused in white lithium grease.
wow..the easiest and most satisfying "repair" I've ever done. Highway shake went from moving 1/2" back and fourth to minimal vibration. need to keep playing around to make it perfect. perhaps some vibration dampers I saw in a thread recently.
Also clunking sound I couldn't track down is pretty much gone. this happened on turns or on rough roads going slow. insane results. I will buy a big fat zip tie so I can put it in and forget about it for years.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 34
Likes: 9
From: Illinois
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...ovement-2.html
I believe this is what you're looking for. Read from post #18 onward. I have the same sort of issue so I'll be giving this a shot myself this evening.
I believe this is what you're looking for. Read from post #18 onward. I have the same sort of issue so I'll be giving this a shot myself this evening.
Rookie
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 62
Likes: 14
From: Ontario
Yes that is the thread. I believe it is in a GS430. Our cars are a little different.
There is a round bar right above the column which you can put a zip tie up to and no need to remove any covers just some wiggling about upside down.
I'll take a pic later today
There is a round bar right above the column which you can put a zip tie up to and no need to remove any covers just some wiggling about upside down.
I'll take a pic later today
Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 336
Likes: 40
From: Ohio
Rookie
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 62
Likes: 14
From: Ontario
one week update.
Very glad I tried this. steering shimmy is almost completely gone still. No more clunking on steering shaft over uneven surfaces. i have discovered other suspension noises now.
I used to drive at 100 (canada) max 110 on the highway because the steering wheel shake was so annoying.
I can do 140 150 and it's smooth as glass.
Very glad I tried this. steering shimmy is almost completely gone still. No more clunking on steering shaft over uneven surfaces. i have discovered other suspension noises now.
I used to drive at 100 (canada) max 110 on the highway because the steering wheel shake was so annoying.
I can do 140 150 and it's smooth as glass.
Advanced
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 550
Likes: 172
From: DFW,TX
one week update.
Very glad I tried this. steering shimmy is almost completely gone still. No more clunking on steering shaft over uneven surfaces. i have discovered other suspension noises now.
I used to drive at 100 (canada) max 110 on the highway because the steering wheel shake was so annoying.
I can do 140 150 and it's smooth as glass.
Very glad I tried this. steering shimmy is almost completely gone still. No more clunking on steering shaft over uneven surfaces. i have discovered other suspension noises now.
I used to drive at 100 (canada) max 110 on the highway because the steering wheel shake was so annoying.
I can do 140 150 and it's smooth as glass.
Pit Crew
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 141
Likes: 68
From: CA
I replaced the lower u joint above the steering rack and that reduced play quite a bit. But the u joint in the driver foot well is still clunking and I didn't want to do the zip tie method and put a side load on the bearing in the steering column. I did find a replacement u joint that I will attempt to install this weekend rather than replacing the whole steering shaft for a lot of $$$$.
If you've gotten around to replacing it, any significant difference?
Advanced
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 550
Likes: 172
From: DFW,TX
I haven't yet, hopefully this weekend or some time next week. Maybe I'll do a write up if this works.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 215
From: Ontario, Canada
Last year, I bought a "NEW Raybestos Professional Grade (PG) Hub & Bearing Assembly Front 713163 Lexus LS430 2001-2006 eBay # 153334083857 for $68 USD before shipping. Less than 400 days later and less than 6000km later, it has gone bad due to excessive play. I can feel the a strange deflection in the steering wheel during braking and some wobble driving at certain speeds (~40-80km/h). I thought it was the lower control arm bushings, but the shop that just installed my new Pilot Sport 4 tires said the LCA bushings were fine and that the front left bearing was the culprit.
It was probably a bad batch from the factory or a counterfeit. I kindly informed the seller, G Tex Automotive Distributors LLC, eBay username gtex_auto, about this issue. No reply, but no warranty from the seller anyway, and factory warranty expired after 12 months.
My advice: if it's more complex than a loop of wire like a brake wear sensor cable, don't buy it on eBay. I've tested several eBay MAF sensors, most sold as "new" were used, and several were counterfeit. Stick to known parts sources such as RockAuto, PartSouq, Amayama, parts.com. Don't trust anything on eBay or Amazon.
I ordered a new Moog 513163 bearing from RockAuto and used the 5% ClubLexus discount (go to https://www.clublexus.com/forums/mem...-rockauto.html, Statistics, Find All Posts by RockAuto). Should be legit and has a 36 month, 36,000mi warranty, a much better warranty than any other bearing on RockAuto.
It was probably a bad batch from the factory or a counterfeit. I kindly informed the seller, G Tex Automotive Distributors LLC, eBay username gtex_auto, about this issue. No reply, but no warranty from the seller anyway, and factory warranty expired after 12 months.
My advice: if it's more complex than a loop of wire like a brake wear sensor cable, don't buy it on eBay. I've tested several eBay MAF sensors, most sold as "new" were used, and several were counterfeit. Stick to known parts sources such as RockAuto, PartSouq, Amayama, parts.com. Don't trust anything on eBay or Amazon.
I ordered a new Moog 513163 bearing from RockAuto and used the 5% ClubLexus discount (go to https://www.clublexus.com/forums/mem...-rockauto.html, Statistics, Find All Posts by RockAuto). Should be legit and has a 36 month, 36,000mi warranty, a much better warranty than any other bearing on RockAuto.
Last edited by StanVanDam; Aug 21, 2020 at 09:23 AM. Reason: Added RockAuto ClubLexus discount info
Pole Position
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 418
From: CALIFORNIA
Last year, I bought a "NEW Raybestos Professional Grade (PG) Hub & Bearing Assembly Front 713163 Lexus LS430 2001-2006 eBay # 153334083857 for $68 USD before shipping. Less than 400 days later and less than 6000km later, it has gone bad due to excessive play. I can feel the a strange deflection in the steering wheel during braking and some wobble driving at certain speeds (~40-80km/h). I thought it was the lower control arm bushings, but the shop that just installed my new Pilot Sport 4 tires said the LCA bushings were fine and that the front left bearing was the culprit.
It was probably a bad batch from the factory or a counterfeit. I kindly informed the seller, G Tex Automotive Distributors LLC, eBay username gtex_auto, about this issue. No reply, but no warranty from the seller anyway, and factory warranty expired after 12 months.
My advice: if it's more complex than a loop of wire like a brake wear sensor cable, don't buy it on eBay. I've tested several eBay MAF sensors, most sold as "new" were used, and several were counterfeit. Stick to known parts sources such as RockAuto, PartSouq, Amayama, parts.com. Don't trust anything on eBay or Amazon.
I ordered a new Moog 513163 bearing from RockAuto and used the 5% ClubLexus discount. Should be legit and has a 36 month, 36,000mi warranty, a much better warranty than any other bearing on RockAuto.
It was probably a bad batch from the factory or a counterfeit. I kindly informed the seller, G Tex Automotive Distributors LLC, eBay username gtex_auto, about this issue. No reply, but no warranty from the seller anyway, and factory warranty expired after 12 months.
My advice: if it's more complex than a loop of wire like a brake wear sensor cable, don't buy it on eBay. I've tested several eBay MAF sensors, most sold as "new" were used, and several were counterfeit. Stick to known parts sources such as RockAuto, PartSouq, Amayama, parts.com. Don't trust anything on eBay or Amazon.
I ordered a new Moog 513163 bearing from RockAuto and used the 5% ClubLexus discount. Should be legit and has a 36 month, 36,000mi warranty, a much better warranty than any other bearing on RockAuto.
Didn't realize there was a ClubLexus discount with Rock.
How does that work?