I've had a 2010 RX450h for 2 years. It has 160k miles on the clock and it's largely been decent, aside from a very annoying and persistent rattle that seems to be getting progressively worse. It's almost certainly the known steering column issue. This week, a Lexus dealership replaced the star shaped EPS steering damper at a cost of £420 for labour. It's had no impact on the noise. Also, really surprised by how unknowlegeable and blaise they were tbh. Instead, they've suggested a new column at a cost of £5k. It's ridiculous really. The car has full dealer history and I wouldn't expect this level of shoddy build quality from a budget car brand, let alone Lexus. I know there was a Lexus bulletin put out about this issue years ago but I'm really surprised it wasn't a recall, as the issue does make steering more vague and jittery as a side effect. Has anyone had any luck installing a revised column harvested from a later (2013-15) mk3 RX450h? This problem is a major bummer as the cost is extortionate and it now basically makes the car worthless in the 2nd hand market. I'd be worried that a column from a breaker's yard might have accident damage or that an independent might not have the skills to do the job properly if going down the used parts route.

 

Welcome to CL and I hope you may have performed a search using the terms steering + column etc. Regardless here is a related thread that was posted on the hybrid side of this forum.
It contains links to further related threads. Good Luck resolving your issue without spending a fortune.

​​​​​​https://www.clublexus.com/forums/hyb...ng-column.html

 

Welcome to the wonderful hobby of keeping a car designed 30 years ago on the road, dealerships are usually not the most economical choice for repairing old vehicle problems and most model Toyotas are notorius for steering column rattles as they age. If in UK there are many JDM importers and dedicated Japanese vehicle mechanic shops, you may have to look in larger cities for specialists, joining a local JDM car club may give information. Following video is just an example of one repair but if tightening bolts hadn't repaired that rattle perhaps replacement of part, lubrication with silicone grease or wrapping the part in foam could have worked;

 

First thing is to watch Vlads video Find a shaft from a wrecked 2015-2016 rx350.
In the states they usually sell the whole column. You are just going to need the lower part . There’s a plastic gear that gets worn is not replaceable. You will remove just the lower part of the shaft and install it on your column.
No need to program new keys . The key here is when you remove your column do not lock it .

 

Lexus dealership replaced the plastic gear, or at least promised me they did. But it did nothing. In fact, them fiddling around in there has made the column sound worse.

 

i asked them about bolts and grease but their idiot master tech didnt even bother. He blatantly couldn't be bothered. Dealership showing how little value or respect they give to their customers.

 

I also tried changing out the plastic star shaped washer and it didn’t help. What did help was replacing the intermediate steering shaft part # 452200E021, about $300..
My local mechanic was able to install it fairly quickly but it involves lifting the car and getting under steering column.

 

This also worked to solve my column rattle this week. I paid $350 for the part from Lexus dealer in FL. Surprised the old one wore out after only 60k miles.