04 RX330 Tilt/Telescoping steering column groans

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Mar 3, 2010 | 11:31 AM

rfeigen

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Joined: Dec 2004

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From: Arizona

04 RX330 Tilt/Telescoping steering column groans

Hi

Wehave 117,000 miles on our 2004 RX330 (wife sells real-estate).

I was told a while ago that is is not uncommon for the motor to start groaning when the steering wheel swings into position (e.g. when you put in the iginition key).

Anyone know if there is a way to lubricate or repair without replacing the motor? Any clues on where to get a rebuilt or used motor? I called one place but the they want to sell the entire steering column and motor together.

Thanks

Ron

Mar 3, 2010 | 11:34 AM

lexus114

Lexus Champion

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 4,507

Likes: 38

From: Bethlehem Twsp. Pennsylvania

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfeigen

The other option (I considered this) is to go to your dealer,and have them deactivate it.

Mar 3, 2010 | 01:46 PM

mandyfig

CL Community Team

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 12,398

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From: GA

There's a certain amount of groan, more of humming really. Is yours truly annoying?

Mar 3, 2010 | 09:27 PM

rfeigen

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Driver School Candidate

Joined: Dec 2004

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From: Arizona

No and we are hoping to sell the car soon. I would like to fix properly but reasonably.

My mechanic suggested deactivating it and if the reapir is too much I will do that and give the person we sell to an "allowance" for the repair.

I did see an post explaining how to do a fix on another model Lexus (use washers to realign the work gear. We are going to try that and see how it goes.

Thanks for the replies

Quote:

Originally Posted by mandyfig

There's a certain amount of groan, more of humming really. Is yours truly annoying?

Mar 4, 2010 | 08:11 AM

RXSF

CL Community Team

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 12,566

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From: San Francisco, CA

Mine has been getting worse, also a 2004 with 105,000. Seems to be worse in cold weather mornings.

Mar 4, 2010 | 08:38 AM

shikbas

Intermediate

Joined: Apr 2004

Posts: 477

Likes: 10

From: Pennsylvania

yes,put your key in the ignition,steering wheel will move ,put it all the way up and look below the wheel you will be able to see a screw and if you move the wheel a little you will see other 2 screws,take all of them out,carefully pull the plastic covers and you see the big rolling kind of screws on both sides,clean them with brush and vacume them ,you can carefully take the key in and out so you can clean them better,then use say silicone oil there and remove the key couple times ,clean the extra oil and put eveything back

Mar 4, 2010 | 09:52 AM

mandyfig

CL Community Team

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 12,398

Likes: 455

From: GA

It may well be a lubrication problem (do we not have this problem all the time? LOL).

Good suggestion. Use white lithium grease.

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Mar 7, 2010 | 09:51 PM

rfeigen

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Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 20

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From: Arizona

Thanks I will try that, on another forum someone showed how they used washers to realign the worn worm drive. I will try that this week too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shikbas

yes,put your key in the ignition,steering wheel will move ,put it all the way up and look below the wheel you will be able to see a screw and if you move the wheel a little you will see other 2 screws,take all of them out,carefully pull the plastic covers and you see the big rolling kind of screws on both sides,clean them with brush and vacuum them ,you can carefully take the key in and out so you can clean them better,then use say silicone oil there and remove the key couple times ,clean the extra oil and put everything back