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I just bought a 2008 AWD 400h with 28k miles and decided to dress it up a bit. I put factory chrome exchange wheels on the car and have had a problem with steering vibration ever since. It starts at 5-40mph and you can see the steering wheel move slightly back and forth between 5 to 40 mph. Above that you don't feel it. I have had the wheels rebalanced, road force balanced 5 times and realigned. Took it into a Lexus dealership to help solve the issue and they put on wheels from a used Lexus on the lot and I stopped having problems. They still can't figure out the issue. I've tried everything I know other than buying new/original 400h wheels and putting them back on the car.
Question: Would extra weight on chrome wheels (2-3lbs.) per wheel cause an issue with the hydrid drive, electric motors or the AWD at slow speed? Has anyone put chrome wheels on a 400h??? Can't find any technical info on the issue and the dealership doesn't know. Help!!!!!!!

 

the nature of larger wheels will have no bearing, should not cause an issue.

what probably is the issue, is the quality of the tire perhaps or even the rim.

when they balanced the rims with the road force balancer did they check to make sure the tires did not have broken belts?? or that the rims were not bent??

another feature of the machine is that it can tell you which tire goes on which rim for maximum comfort (least likelihood for balancing issue.) it can also tell the mechanic whether or not the tire needs to be rotated on the rim for best effect.

i have often seen retailers try to get the price point down by selling inferior tires to go on expensive rims. what type of tire are you running??

at the end of the day, if you bought this set brand new, i would return them. or at least let them waste there money figuring it out.

 

Not all Chrome wheels work.

Lots have complained on what you are seeing, they can never get it to NOT have vibration.

 

thanks. I am going back and have all 4 tires road balanced and some new tires if necessary. The tires are Michelins, 8k miles, and recommended by Lexus for the RX. Trying one more time!!

 

I am beginning to think chrome wheels DO NOT work!

 

i dont understand how they could be a problem, interesting to find more info out

 

Sorry you are having problems but my chrome wheels are smooth as glass. I got them from a wheel supplier on eBay who installed and balanced the tires of my choice and I've had no troubles to this day. I had a 2001 RX300 when I bought them and they are now on my 2005 RX330.

They are either not balanced properly or one or more are not true or the tires are the problem.

 

Did you move them front to back and see if it stopped. Do one side at a time and see what happens.

 

sounds like you either have a broken belt in a tire, or a slight bend in the rim...

 

Great feedback on the chrome wheels!! Really encouraging to see them work on the '05 330 and they look great! I believe I must have a tire problem and will need to road balance them again and move them 1 by1 to identify any tire issues. Lexus checked the rims and all look to be round and true. I'm heading back to Lexus on Thursday or Butler Tire which is a high end wheel store in Atlanta. I'll keep you posted!!

 

Found one of your side profiles Carver, this will cheer GlennC up and get the rim matter settled. BTW Great side profile pic.

 

Thanks, that was to show off the mighty shark fin antenna.

 

Carver,
The side profile looks great.

 

Thanks to Carver for the Pic and 1koolfella for finding it! Well, I did go back to Lexus with the idea of road balancing all 4 tires( 3rd time) and re-identifying any tire that was a problem. They picked out 2 of the worse, put new tires on and shaking has stopped! It still feels a little soft or wobbly when I hit any bumps at slow speed....but the shaking on the steering wheel between 5-40 has STOPPED!
Still can't figure out the tires. I am the second owner, The last owner had just put on 4 new tires at 22k miles and I bought it at 28K. Sure wouldn't think it would be a tire problem and it would show up when I put on the chrome rims. Anyway, I'm just going to admire the new look, enjoy the smoother ride and have fun for awhile!!!

Thanks to all for the feedback!

 

GlennC ummm I think you owe us a picture with the chrome rims on your Rx.

lol.

I'm glad to read that things worked out for you, it's kind of bad that you had to go a 3rd time, but a little persistence paid off in this case. Don't be a stranger. The picture is optional but if you can take a snap we would like to see how they look.