Okay, for the last few years, my wife's been driving our RX. This year, I bought her a new Honda Pilot to drive so I've been reunited with the Lexus. But after driving an '07 Pilot and a '06 Jeep Commander, the RX's ride seems extremely soft and floaty. Granted the RX is a '99 and has about 82K miles on her.

What could I do to get back some firmness to the ride in the RX?

Also the steering seems really over-boosted and at highway speeds just doesn't seem as stable as she once was. Anything I can do there as well?

Any suggestions appreciated.

 

I'd look into new struts at this age and mileage. Bushings too deserve a check, and may be contributing to some of the inaccuracy in steering and overall stability. As far as an overboost on the power steering is concerned, there are a few fixes that come to mind, shortening the pittman arm, revised steering box, but these are largely "shade tree" fixes that would probably be disastrous on your Lexus.

A seven or eight year old car can't be expected to drive like a new one, but you can get pretty close. I'd just try to return the suspension and steering to original spec - and not worry with a lot of investment in mods at this point.

 

The easy way is to change tires. I switched to Goodyear Fortera TripleTred. Much better in winter condition, but boy the ride is firm. Yeehaw!

Check your power steering fluid level. Or simply flush it.

 

I would suggest the same ...

Suspension
Tires.

The other thing is maybe it is your desire and the RX has always been too cushy from day1. After all it is Lexus.

Salim

 

All great suggestions, thanks!

So I agree about the Fortera tires, I have a set on the Jeep and really like the ride. But the set on the RX now is fairly new (GY Integritys) so that might have to wait...

As for suspension - what's out there that's OEM replacement? I don't necess. want a stiffer ride. Are KYB struts and shocks the best choice? And I also don't want to lower the ride or anything like that. I'm looking merely to get the type of ride I felt (or close to it) when I drove the RX off the lot.

Regards.

 

For shocks and struts, KYB GR-2s.