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I guess I should consider myself fortunate that my DRONER actually is a plus. Since it's tone goes up/down in pitch according to the acceleration RPM's,
it can be melodious at times. Being a Musician, I frequently find myself joining in with voice exercises on my way to a Gig.
Since the Dealership could not do anything about it , I decided to keep the RX and use it as a partial expense for income tax purposes.
Lexus has just issued a bulletin with a fix to "reduce" the exhaust drone on the 2016-2018 RX. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...ration-73.html
It doesn't apply to 2010-2015 generation unfortunately because our exhaust system has a different centre pipe. However in the bulletin it shows a vibration damper that has been added. This seems to confirm my engineering assessment that the drone is originating from this section of the exhaust with the cat converter. I've recently purchased 2 dampers and am going to install them on this section of pipe (one upstream and one downstream of the converter) to see if it will reduce the drone.
I finally gave up waiting on a fix from Lexus so I did my own engineering assessment. I isolated the vibration down to the section of exhaust that has the cat converter in it. It was definitely vibrating at certain engine rpm's and transmitting that into the cabin via the support hanger on this section. Another poster on the 4th generation forum had installed a similar damper some time ago, so I decided to buy a couple of them and just finished installing them today. I'll need to wait for warmer weather to be sure, but the drone/vibration is now GONE!!! I installed one damper on each side of the cat converter because I wanted to dampen the vibes at both ends. Not sure if I needed both or not. Maybe engineering overkill!!!
Amazing coincidence, but the recently released Lexus(supposed) fix for the 4th Generation has a damper on this section of pipe as well!!! (last photo) No idea why it took Lexus all these years to come up with a solution?????????
I used a damper p/n 17581-31010 but there are other similar dampers available from Toyota/Lexus if you cant find this one. The damper has some fibre washers on the mounting holes. I removed them to provide more room to install the nuts on the 2-1/4" muffler clamps.
Where you get the drone depends on a lot if variables. It depends on the engine rpm, load on the engine, temperature and small manufacturing differences in the exhaust system. Mine was most noticable at about 1600 rpm and at 3200 rpm. It was really annoying at cruising speeds of 100 km/hr (1600rpm)
Jim
ps If you are going to just install 1 damper, I would put it right next to the hanger. Ie on dowstream side of the converter
I just ordered one from OEMpartssource.
Does the damper come with exhaust clamps? Or did you buy the 2 size 2 1/4 clamps separately? Do you think a 2 1/2 inch clamp or longer 2 1/4 clamp would allow you to leave the fiber washers in place? Maybe a motorcycle style band clamp that allows for a longer bolt would let you keep the fiber washer in place?
However upon studying your photos you did double nut the clamp. If only one nut was used it appears the fiber washer could be left in place.
Last edited by Clutchless; 01-31-18 at 06:13 AM.
Reason: add photo
I just ordered one from OEMpartssource.
Does the damper come with exhaust clamps? Or did you buy the 2 size 2 1/4 clamps separately? Do you think a 2 1/2 inch clamp or longer 2 1/4 clamp would allow you to leave the fiber washers in place? Maybe a motorcycle style band clamp that allows for a longer bolt would let you keep the fiber washer in place?
However upon studying your photos you did double nut the clamp. If only one nut was used it appears the fiber washer could be left in place.
I found the fibre washer to be very fragile. I'm sure it will break apart if it is clamped to a non-flat surface like a muffler clamp. I found this out when I drilled the holes slightly larger for the 3/8" U bolts to fit and the washers came apart very easily.I didn't want it to come loose so I removed them. A bit more heat may be transmitted to the rubber but should be minimal. I bought the clamps separately. Don't use 2.5" clamps - they are too big and will not clamp tight around the pipe. I got mine from www.lexuspartsnow.com for $35USD each.
If you cant find 17581-31010, some other similar damper numbers are 17581-31050, 74080 and 50090.
Jim
Completely gone!!!! So much better that I'm going to buy it out after the lease expires in June!!
Jim
Thanks for your reply.
What part number are the clamps that you used and where did u purchase them? Could u provide a brief description on how u attached everything together?
2 1/4 inch muffler clamps are generic and are available at any auto parts store. Get 2 of them for each damper. You do not need a part number. Many companies make them, all are the same and inexpensive.
I broke off the fiber washers, they almost fell off. Then stick one clamp around the exhaust pipe and thru the damper then loosely get a nut on it, then do the second clamp. When all nuts are on loose, rotate into position and tighten. Lock washers or double nuts are optional. I used lock washers, again, try Home Depot or Lowes after you buy the clamps so you can match the size. Or the auto parts store may have lock washers.
2 1/4 inch muffler clamps are generic and are available at any auto parts store. Get 2 of them for each damper. You do not need a part number. Many companies make them, all are the same and inexpensive.
I broke off the fiber washers, they almost fell off. Then stick one clamp around the exhaust pipe and thru the damper then loosely get a nut on it, then do the second clamp. When all nuts are on loose, rotate into position and tighten. Lock washers or double nuts are optional. I used lock washers, again, try Home Depot or Lowes after you buy the clamps so you can match the size. Or the auto parts store may have lock washers.
This is exactly how you do it. I bought the clamps with 3/8" bolt size instead of the normal 5/16". (ie stronger and fit the damper better) I used double nuts instead of lock washers. The 2nd nut was a self locking type. I also used 2 flat washers - one on each side of the damper as shown in the photo
Thx for your reply......I'm not a mechanic so pardon the question......is this something I can do under my car or will I need to have the RX350 up on ramps or better yet, done at the dealership?
Pretty cool u figured this out!
Originally Posted by RealWing
This is exactly how you do it. I bought the clamps with 3/8" bolt size instead of the normal 5/16". (ie stronger and fit the damper better) I used double nuts instead of lock washers. The 2nd nut was a self locking type. I also used 2 flat washers - one on each side of the damper as shown in the photo
You need to jack it up and place jack stands or use ramps to do this at home. I did the jack stands route. I would never ask a dealer to do this, they would either laugh or charge too much or both. However it is something your local independent mechanic could easily do for far less than a dealer. Just show them the above photo and bring them the parts.
02-20-17, 06:52 AM
Fortunate
