jmcraney --

You sound a little defensive; I wouldn't have figured out what I know without your having led the way. My only point is that the right order to approach the problem is to first attempt to make the original factory part work by installing a new one with adequate pressure. If that doesn't work *then* try the goop method.

As for your meticulous recital of all the things I said that I didn't personally discover: I'm sorry, did I stumble into PhD thesis defense by mistake?

As for your speculation about Lexus' opinions, I'm not at all interested in the "big bad Lexus" comments that have so cluttered this thread. My only reaction to them is to suggest the whiners buy a Mercedes Benz after which they will wish they had problems as easy to solve as a slight noise from a loose $12 piece of plastic.

 

I'm sure Lexus has this fix on their radar screen. Implementing it into an active production line is quite another matter. The fix may be sitting in a number of engineers' inboxes, every department that is affected anyway - from the interior environmental impact as it pertains to humidity levels, to the audio guys, to the sound insulation types, all will want to have a say in it, especially if the fix was discovered on the "outside". And that says nothing about rigid production departments who are very protective of their turf, and will challenge anything or anyone that comes their way, that can impact their strict schedules. Will it ever clear those hurdles? Probably... When? Anyone's guess... In the meantime, we have this simple fix which we can do ourselves (thank God - or Jmcraney in this case), and once we've done it, we can stop worrying about when Lexus will get around to fixing it.

Pardon my interjection...

 

awatkins,

I am sorry that you view my comments as defensive. You are obviously an independent thinker and the suggestions you provided are right-on. I think it speaks well for the rest of us that you have come to your conclusions without reading all this long discussion.

And, I was sincere in thanking you for the opportunity to sort of consolidate what we know so far. Some are not capable of sifting through all that has been said and most don't want to spend the time. And it has gotten long and confusing.

The main point that I wanted to make to you is that as an obviously talented DIYer I believe that you can only attain the ultimate noise reduction by putting some sealant under the trim and closing the gaps. I think that just replacing the part is for those with extreme symptoms who are unable to get relief from Lexus and are unable to to do their own repair.

The next time I get an urge to say anything more than just a few words on this subject, may I consult with you via Private Mail first, and will you please tell me to LET IT GO!!

And thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.

I remain very pleased with my LS460.

 

I don't think you figured out anything. Everyones entitled to their opinion and thats fine.

Fact is JM researched and fixed the problem a billion dollar car company couldn't. I also see you have zero repair skills. Most dealers fix wind noise issues buy cutting the moldings and installing rubber vacuum line and than sealing them with silicone, pretty crude ugh....

If you read the post you would have realized filled the void with silicone dampens the out side ambient noise inside the car. The poorly designed hollow piece of plastic acts as a amplifier to noise.

I really take offense to your comment about whining but than again you are probably one of the people who are not having the problem or don't even own the car.

Keep pushing that triangle piece.........just ridicules IMHO.

 

I had my dealer do the jmcraney fix and it works! No more whistling. At 70 - 80 mph, there's slight wind noise but I think that's to be expected. At least I don't hear the louder wind noise swooshing by anymore.

 

Is this still an issue with the newer cars coming out of Japan?

I am hoping that they would have fixed it when the AWD LS comes out later this year.

 

I think this can be a NON-ISSUE whenever Lexus decides they want it to be a non-issue. I don't see how they could have missed hearing about the fix that has been discussed in this thread. They are a very talented luxury car manufacturer. There is probably no car on the market that is quieter than the LSs when the wind noise problem is not present.

As for the 2009s, some may come with the problem, but I believe the word on how to deal with it is getting out. Don't let your concern about the wind noise problem delay or deter your purchase - if you wind up with one that has it there is a fix. I continue to be very pleased with my 2007 LS460 that came with an EXTREME wind noise problem that has been fixed.

 

+1

I made my dealer do JM's fix. I love the car now that it's fixed.

 

Here is another "Wind Noise Buyback" on eBay. I expect we are only seeing the tip of the iceberg. I think this is another example that it is more than a "slight problem" in some cases. This one is a 2007 LS460L ULTRA VIN JTHGL46F175008967.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-...=p4506.c0.m245


QUOTE:
THIS VEHICLE HAS A BUY BACK TITLE FROM THE LEXUS MANUFACTURER...EVERYTHING HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED...THE REASON FOR ITS BUYBACK IS SIMPLE: THE OWNER REPORTED WIND NOISE...THEREFORE THE VEHICLE WAS REPURCHASED BY THE LEXUS MANUFACTURER BECAUSE IT DID NOT CONFORM TO THE MANUFACTURER'S EXPRESS WARRANTY AND THE NONCONFORMITY WAS NOT CURED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME...THE REPAIRS WERE MADE BY THE LEXUS MANUFACTURER BY INSTALLING FOAM INSULATION TO THE DOOR PANELS & GLASS...EVERYTHING REPORTED and REPAIRED HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED and WILL BE PROVIDED FOR THE NEW OWNER...THERE ARE NO OTHER REASONS OR ISSUES FOR THE BUYBACK, SO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS PHENOMENAL DEAL!
END QUOTE

 

My car, identical to the one that is being sold on Ebay, with 11K miles, was repurchased by Lexus because of the wind noise 2 months ago. This decision was made after many attempts by dealer and Lexus FSR to repair the problem. I have also provided them with JMCRANEY solution and they have done it, but problem was still there. Personally, I don't think they did it correctly, but Lexus told them not to do it again and the car was repurchased.

 

For those of you who got a Lexus dealer to do JM's fix, are any of these dealers in Southern California? Can you perhaps suggest a cooperative service advisor (Via PM if you do not want to post)?

I am jealous of those of you who got Lexus to repurchase your LS460 - no such luck. I have 18 months to go on the lease of my LS460, of this, my very last Lexus.

Thanks

 

I'm inclined to agree with you. This '08 LS is my fourth Lexus. It runs fine and handles fine, but I'm really disappointed with Corporate Lexus' attitude on the wind noise and Navlockout issues. I would expect this sort of abuse by Yugo or other tin cans, but this is supposed to be Lexus' flagship and costs over $70K!!

I'll probably get another car within the next three years and unless Lexus becomes more cooperative, this will be my last Lexus...I'll be looking elsewhere.

Whit

 

Maurice, I would ask to set up an appointment with the field rep. Have him drive with you and verify the noise in fact is not normal like I did. I than handed them a nice neat printed step by step "how to" Jeff C posted. They agreed to do the repair on a experimental basis meaning when they were done and it was not to my sadisfaction...tough. It did solve the problem. However some dealers may just be arrogant and do a half azz fix not accomplishing anything.

I built a relationship up with the shop foreman. I don't know if every dealer has one but his job is to fix the tough problems and interact with the clients. I know he was going to do a good job.

You really have to get involved and politely persuade them to fix the car.

As you, Lexus told me no way on a buy back. I guess thats why the buy backs had to go to court first.

I'm more made at Lexus to come out with a 4WD LS 460 model only after a 2 year production run. I would have expected at least a 4-5 year run before they made my car obsolete and killed my resale value.

 

Great Post , 18 pages if im going to apply this fix what post # should i follow ? Thanx all

 

You need to use the instructions in Post #9 and use the pictures in Post #10. And you might want to use the sealant pictured in Post #133 in place of the sealant in Post #10.

Be sure you use enough sealant. It is better to use too much than not enough.

Please let us know about your results. Also let us know if you need additional advice.