Sorry in advance for the long post, but it's really bugging me.

New member here - long time Lexus owner. This is my first real problem that has stumped me.
Just got a 2008 LX 570 with 40,000 miles on it. My main problem is a shudder vibration when making a left or right turn from a stop. You can feel a slight vibration/ shudder in the front end that comes into the car.

Car is still under warranty. So took it to the local Lexus dealer that has been great in the past. Talked with the head service tech and left the car. A day later he said he drove a similar year and milage 570 and said it did the same and my car was normal.

Now I'm coming out of a 1999 LX 470 200,000 miles, that had zero vibration.

I never knew or dreamed a Lexus would have a vibration and it be normal. I did not notice it on the test drive, guess i did not make sharp enough turns.

So I test drive a used 2009 570 with 40k and it has zero vibration or shudder when turning.
This has me not happy. The Lexus tech continues to say this is normal.

To me it seems like the front diff is binding. I asked if adding extra posi slip lube would help. The tech said NO! He said it is normal and that the transfer case coupling is causing this and it is normal. Also the diff lockers are not engaged - already checked that.

Also it does this forward and reverse. When backing up if the vibration starts and you pop it in neutral the vibration goes away while the vehicle continues to roll backwards with the wheels turned.

The next dealer is three to four hours away.

Thanks for any info you can may have to help!!

 

Take it back and have the shop flooman take a look. You can also file a complaint with Lexus corporate with your concerns. This will get the service dealer moving.

 

My '08 LX570 w/60k miles does the same thing. It is very subtle but I can feel it. I have replaced all the drivetrain fluids and installed new tires - no change. Funny...my LX470 w/90k miles was smooth as silk!

Please let us know if you figure out what is causing this!

 

You can not compare the LX470 with the LX570.

My LX470 units were ALWAYS silky smooth and refined way beyond the 570. The 570 has always been a "brute" when compared to the 470.

You are at a disadvantage being so far from the dealer but I have owned three different LX570 units and not one suffered this shutter. This leads me to believe that it must be something that is wear related and I would escalate your complaint if the do not fix it.

 

Thanks for all of the info. I'm very close to a Lexus dealer, but they say it is normal. Next Lexus dealer is far away.
Going to take it to a Toyota dealer next week just to see what they say. Will cost me $30 for Toyota to have a look. Plus they have two Lexus techs at their dealership. Toyota service writer thinks it could be power steering.

 

my 13 LX is not vibration when turning, but it shake when it goes from 45mph to 55mph, and after that is smooth? I took it back the dealer had it rebalance the wheels, but it shake when I go higher speed like 66mph now, that weird, maybe the tires side wall too soft for these heavy truck?, but I hate that feel

 

Think you have a tire problem or someone who can not balance tires at the dealership. Try Discount Tire. They seem to know what they are doing.

 

EDIT (just noticed this): What he said ^^^^^

If the vibration moved from one speed range to another, this sounds to me like bad balance job, not an unknown phenomenon at many Lexus dealers (due to out-of-calibration balancer, worn mounting equipment, etc.).

In the original poster's case, it sounds like a transfer case/differential issue, IMO.

 

Are all 4 of your tires matched perfectly? same size, manufacturer, style, tread depth? AWD vehicles can be tricky when dealing with slightly different diameters (even 2 new vs 2 older of the exact same tire)...

it does indeed seem like a differential issue...

 

100% agree.

 

In my case yes. I tried two new sets of tires (different brands) within 1000 miles. Both were Road Forced balance. The issue I am describing is from the drivetrain, not the wheels/tires.

 

The weird thing is that it does not do it all of the time. Seems better once it gets warmed up.
Some days it will do it all the time. Other days just once in awhile.

 

Your differential lock might be locked in the "on" position?

 

I have turned it on and off several times with no change.
Thanks for the reply.

 

I would have the dealership check that it is disengaging, as it should.

Though with a slightly different vehicle ('00 LC), when the car wash folk would hit the diff-lok, and depending on the surface, I would get similar. On tacky surfaces, it really jumped out, but on smoother surfaces, the judder was fairly subtle.

In my case, I just started checking the switch for the diff-lok, when I left the car wash.

Good luck,

Hunt