Front end problem.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Va
Front end problem.
Need some serious help before the fron end falls apart.
My 2001 Rx 300, AWD, VSC with 65K miles has a serious intermittent problem.
When starting from a stopped position, a washboard grumbling sound comes from the right front wheel area, at least that's what it seems like. It also is accompanied by a slight tug of the steering wheel that pulls to the right. This will happen two or three times in a row in stop and go traffic. Once above 15 miles an hour, no noise is heard.
I've brought this to my local (Alexandria, Va) Lexus dealer and of course, we could not duplicate the problem.
Any suggestiopns...can I lock the vehicle out of AWD ?
Please help!
My 2001 Rx 300, AWD, VSC with 65K miles has a serious intermittent problem.
When starting from a stopped position, a washboard grumbling sound comes from the right front wheel area, at least that's what it seems like. It also is accompanied by a slight tug of the steering wheel that pulls to the right. This will happen two or three times in a row in stop and go traffic. Once above 15 miles an hour, no noise is heard.
I've brought this to my local (Alexandria, Va) Lexus dealer and of course, we could not duplicate the problem.
Any suggestiopns...can I lock the vehicle out of AWD ?
Please help!
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,329
Likes: 210
From: Miami, Florida
Keep in mind, though I have great respect for the service guys at Lexus (a few techs are on this site), mechanics are still something that comes from experience. See these threads for more on the sensors,
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho....php?p=3245275
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho....php?p=3265977
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho....php?p=3245275
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho....php?p=3265977
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,507
Likes: 38
From: Bethlehem Twsp. Pennsylvania
I would say it is a diy job.Just be careful on the rear ones,their a little trickier but you can do it,we have faith in you.
Seriously,it`s not hard,front is very easy.The back is installed differently,just use a little causion not to break them trying to get them out.Lexmex has great detailed W/pictures instructions on how to do this.I never did get my r/r one out.
Seriously,it`s not hard,front is very easy.The back is installed differently,just use a little causion not to break them trying to get them out.Lexmex has great detailed W/pictures instructions on how to do this.I never did get my r/r one out.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Va
ABS Sensor cleaning
Thanks to efforts Lex114 and Lexmex I'm going to put on my caveman "Even a cave man can do it" tee shirt and I'm going to try it this weekend, but I was wondering, would compressed air worlk just as well?
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Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,507
Likes: 38
From: Bethlehem Twsp. Pennsylvania
Clean them first,I used wd-40,but you can use brake cleaner too.Wipe them off real good.You can blow them off too,but not too high with the pressure.Like I mentioned,the front is a piece of cake.The back,just take your time,spray them first with penetrating oil.I would suggest spraying the back ones first,then let them marinate with the penetrating oil while you do the front.By the time your done with the front,the back sensors had time to benefit from the penetrating oil.
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Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Va
Front End Problem
In theory, since my problem "feels" like the front passenger wheel/brake is acting abnormally, does it make sense that the front passenger ABS sensor would be the culprit? Or is it on of those issues that the left front ABS could sense incorrectly thus causing the right front wheel to act up. I'll be cleaning both the back and front but I was just curious if these ABS sensor problems cause "radiated" symptoms. Thanks
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Va
A sidebar note. I called my local Lexus folks who have had this car to find the fault just to see how much money I would be saving to do it myself and when I explained to the that all my savvy RX300 friends told me that it was most likely the ABS, the begged me to bring it in so that they can see if it really is the ABS. The promised me a loaner car to boot ! Seems all of a sudden a master tech remembers that on that year model RX there is rust accumulation on the ABS sensors! Knowledge is Power, thanks.
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