Good morning Lexus community. I recently purchased a 2011 LS460L with 189,000 miles on the clock. I picked her up pretty cheap knowing she had some issues that would need to be addressed over time. The most annoying is a vibration at idle and through the lower RPM range. At startup and high idle the vibration comes through the steering wheel and rattles the interior pretty good. Low normal idle isn't much better. It goes away during normal driving. In particular, when "coasting" down a slight grade, the engine / trans just about dissapear. My mechanic and I thought that the motor mounts or the transmission support / rubber isolater may be bad, so we replaced that part and also did the lower ball joints / control arms up front as well. This repair did help somewhat, but not to the degree I had hoped. In checking the maintenance records, the transmission fluid was replaced at 157,835 miles. On the trip back from AZ to OR, I drove 518 miles on 16.8 gallons of gas for an average of almost 31 MPG. The transmission is shifting smoothly (granted, don't have much perspective on this point) and considering the MPG I got on the drive home, don't really think the motor has any issues.

Thoughts?? Thanks in advance!

 

This has been discussed several times over in the past…

Do a search so you can find out what others did.

Most just turn on the AC or seat AC to minimize vibration.

I noticed a dramatic decrease in vibration the first few days after changing battery, but that was short lived.

 

Wait, what exactly did you mechanic replace? There are 2 engine mounts and a transmission mount. Usually, you have replace all three, use OEM parts only!

 

Only the single transmission mount. He had the motor mounts but felt the motor mounts were still in good shape.

 

I really doubt that your mounts are good at 189k. My engine mounts looked fine but were shorter than the new ones when compared side by side. I was getting vibration at idle first when it was cold then at any temperature. New mounts fixed the issue.

 

Those mounts are dead, they barely last to 100k yet alone near 200

 

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. After replacing the transmission mount, there was a noticeable improvement, but still not "right." Motor mounts get replaced this upcoming Friday. We'll see.

 

This should work... report back and let us know if you are still getting a vibration...

 

Did you replace the mount yourself?

 

Did you replace the mount yourself?

 

No mine was done at the dealership..

 

Good afternoon all. Got the LS back yesterday after my mechanic replaced the motor mounts. All I can say is wow. What a remarkable difference. Smooth and quiet as you would expect from a halo car like an LS. He showed me the old mounts which, upon visual inspection, looked just fine. However, when you handled, they were like stone. The rubber exterior had absolutely no give. If you rapped your knuckle on them, you'd bruise your knuckles. The new motor mounts completely transformed the car and completely eliminated the vibration at idle and low RPMs. Thanks all that chimed in - you guys were right. She just needed some TLC. Take care

 

Yep. I expected that kind of post. Congrats.

 

Thanks for the update! Enjoy!

 

I think it's time for me to change mine. I wonder if it's as easy as my 1976 Monte Carlo motor mounts? Has anyone here did this job at home?