Hey guys,

Just got my RX from the shop after taking it in for a vibration under load that was getting worse and heavy beating sound/feeling when I had to punch it once. Mech said it was a broken U-joint on the front section of the rear drive shaft. Since Lexus used a staked U-joint, the whole first section is being replaced. I just ordered a remanufactured first section(with greasable joints no less) I just happened to find on Ebay(with warranty). Is this an easy install? It looks like 4 bolts need to be taken off and it slides right out and is replaced pretty easy.

I was thinking about doing it myself but since my mech didn't charge me for the diagnosis and the install of the air/fuel sensor behind the engine, I'll probably just take it back to him because he was so nice. Still want to know if it's an easy job for some reason!

Hopefully that cures the problem. Bearings on the intermediate drive shaft seem good so fingers are crossed!

After this, it's on to replacing the exhaust leaks. What fun.

Thanks,
Jake

 

There are two cradle bearing supports that are between the front and rear of the driveshaft. Those also fail....Tell us what you paid for driveshaft....just curious.

 

I paid 395 for it plus 35 for shipping. There is a $100 refundable core charge so it'll bring it down to about 330 in total. Maybe it was too much but it sure beats replacing the whole thing at this point in time.

When you say bearing supports you mean what the bearing bolt to correct? I didn't push around too much on those bearings plus I'm sure the mech did his due diligence with those.

 

The bearing supports are like donuts around the driveshaft which support the driveshaft to the body. And yes they have a bearing in them. The shaft runs through the middle of the bearing.