My 2009 Lexus has had a rough year. It has a total of 215k miles all but 75k added in the past 18 months. I drove every mile. 3 day ago I noticed a vibration while crusing 65. Increased speeds increased vibration. Take the foot off the gas, vibration disappears regardless of speed. So foot off pedal at 80 eliminated vibration while coasting back down.

The noise associated best described as a cyclical vvvvVVVVvvvvvVVVVvvvvvVVVVV or perhaps a better description is when you drive over a grooved shoulder.

I also get a periodic AhC warning when breaking or maneuvering a figure 8 type on ramp off ramp. Perhaps twice every couple hundred miles which is a days driving.

The AHC preceded the vibration by a week and aboit the same time I clipped.a deer. Like I said rough year on the 570.
Prior to thia, Ive never had one mechanical issue with this vehicle. She's been perfect. And, Ive i stopped following the recommended service schedule because of financial difficutly. Break pads oil changes, and regular unleaded is all she gets. She still has every original belt...really every part.
40k miles was the last scheduled maintenance and I declined 2500 dollars worth of the dealers recommendations.

Im thinking Transfer Case fluid change and perhaps AHC fluid replenishment. All I know is Im lucky to have such a reliable vehicle. Any advice or direction?

 

I am going to guess that your might need new tires or they are out of balance.

List all the recommended items and we can give our opinion what is critical and how to save some costs.

i am sorry about your run of bad luck. Just think, it can only get better.

are you driving for a ride share?

 

Oh man vibrations are tough since it can be a number of things but lets start from cheap too expensive and see if you can find a solution there.

I agree with the above, tires and tire balance is key and the cheapest way to start fixing a vibration, however, your comment that it goes away when you lift off the gas tells me it could be a drive shaft/u joint/cv axel. From the damaged you show above, It may be a cv axel.

One more - bent wheel. I had a bent wheel on a cayenne and it was a very slight hum and vibration that didn't pronounce itself until 75+MPH - they can diagnose this when you having a balance done. Again, it still lived when i let of the gas but it was less pronounced so, maybe?

Drive shafts aren't going to break you but they do run about $500 bucks. A reputable Japanese auto specialist can diagnose this for you if you want to avoid the stealership.

Yes, you deferred the maintenance for spark plugs, diff oils, transfer case, gear box & AHC, however, changing the oil at this point is probably not going to fix your vibration at if something is wrong with any of the components. Gear box may make a slight difference - are you experience rough shifts?

Your AHC surely has air in the system so yes, changing the AHC oil will likely fix your light issue and make it ride like it should but its likely not responsible for the vibration - it would be responsible for a rough ride.

Good luck and keep us posted on the guilty party.

 

Your truck definitely needs the AHC changed and bled from the 4 globes and the accumulator in the center of the truck. Fluid is available from a Lexus and most Toyota dealers...but I'd call ahead...amazon also works. You'll need 3 quarts for ~ $22 a quart. Allow an hour if you've not done it before. Otoh, Plan B would be to let it go way past the 60K recommended interval and spend a few grand when the system needs repair or replacement.

Good luck.