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In an attempt to improve the ride of my 2012 RX450h AWD — primarily at low speeds and not perfect roads — I bought a new set of Michelin tires and replaced the rear shocks with the recommended KYBs. Sadly, no improvement. Must be the 19" wheels. Between the hard, stiff ride and misc. interior rattles/noises this may be my last Lexus — holding at 5.My brother's 2008 RX400h seems to be a better-built car.
Sachs rear shocks are softer than the KYBs. I know as I took them off after 2,000 miles because I thought they were too soft and the body rocked too much for my comfort. Rock Auto has them but they are not always in stock. I sold mine on eBay.
You could get a set of used 18 inch wheels and sell your 19s with the new tires on eBay or Craigslist or the classifieds here on CL, trade them in at a local tire shop. 18 inch wheels from many Toyota & Lexus models will fit. Such as Highlander, Sienna, Camry, ES350, Avalon, and RX. eBay always has them or you could get lucky and find some locally on Craigslist.
In an attempt to improve the ride of my 2012 RX450h AWD — primarily at low speeds and not perfect roads — I bought a new set of Michelin tires and replaced the rear shocks with the recommended KYBs. Sadly, no improvement. Must be the 19" wheels. Between the hard, stiff ride and misc. interior rattles/noises this may be my last Lexus — holding at 5.My brother's 2008 RX400h seems to be a better-built car.
Thats what I found late last yr, after driving all my wife's g/f's different years of rx's.....
In an attempt to improve the ride of my 2012 RX450h AWD — primarily at low speeds and not perfect roads — I bought a new set of Michelin tires and replaced the rear shocks with the recommended KYBs. Sadly, no improvement. Must be the 19" wheels. Between the hard, stiff ride and misc. interior rattles/noises this may be my last Lexus — holding at 5.My brother's 2008 RX400h seems to be a better-built car.
Have you tried them with the 18” rims/tires at 60R?
My 2nd gen was the sport model and learned my lesson not to buy anything sport and to get as much tires as possible.
Current ride is 18” for all season and 19” for winter. 19 inch came with the used RX and winter tires are softer so hard to tell the difference.
Found a nice set of Toyota Avalon 18x7.5 wheels for $340 on the Kansas City Craigslist - These are the exact same specs as the RX wheels. Offer $300 and see - you can move your Lexus center caps over to the Toyota wheels - they just pop in or out with a push
I was also surprised with the bumpy ride quality of my 2010 RX450h. Mine has 19" wheels and the extra weight from the batteries probably makes things even worse. The bigger issue is with the rear part, the front one feels a lot smoother. And to be honest, the ride is poor at low speeds over bumps, at higher speeds works significantly better and the car is very stable and solid for its size. So it doesn't have the impeccable ride quality of a Range Rover, but at least is way more reliable. To be honest, what bothers me more is the concert from rattling interior noises at the rear part, even with small imperfections on the road.
I was also surprised with the bumpy ride quality of my 2010 RX450h. Mine has 19" wheels and the extra weight from the batteries probably makes things even worse. The bigger issue is with the rear part, the front one feels a lot smoother. And to be honest, the ride is poor at low speeds over bumps, at higher speeds works significantly better and the car is very stable and solid for its size. So it doesn't have the impeccable ride quality of a Range Rover, but at least is way more reliable. To be honest, what bothers me more is the concert from rattling interior noises at the rear part, even with small imperfections on the road.
I am in the same exact boat as yours. The rear rattle actually was noticed by me in the winter months on my 10 RXh. I had bad strut bearings and lower control arms in the front. Got all the parts from Amazon and while the ride has firmed up I actually like it. The front Struts are not branded but I'm happy with the ride. My mechanic tells me the rear suspension is fine. I shouldn't notice the squeaks and rattle in the summer months.
I am in the same exact boat as yours. The rear rattle actually was noticed by me in the winter months on my 10 RXh. I had bad strut bearings and lower control arms in the front. Got all the parts from Amazon and while the ride has firmed up I actually like it. The front Struts are not branded but I'm happy with the ride. My mechanic tells me the rear suspension is fine. I shouldn't notice the squeaks and rattle in the summer months.
Ι don't think that the rattling noises have to do with the season so much. There are many different sources, the rear seats, the boot cover and the sunroof. They need some inspection and probably some tightening, rearrangement, maybe replacement of some parts, lubrication, etc.
Ι don't think that the rattling noises have to do with the season so much. There are many different sources, the rear seats, the boot cover and the sunroof. They need some inspection and probably some tightening, rearrangement, maybe replacement of some parts, lubrication, etc.
Do you hear the rattle on normal or even minimally bumpy ride? The only time I hear a squeak is over bumps. The rattle is more on severe bumpy rides. Otherwise it's pretty smooth. My Sun roof seems ok.
Do you hear the rattle on normal or even minimally bumpy ride? The only time I hear a squeak is over bumps. The rattle is more on severe bumpy rides. Otherwise it's pretty smooth. My Sun roof seems ok.
Even at minimal moves. Of course in severe bumpy rides is significantly worse.
I just solved this hard suspension on RX! Using custom made springs. Just recently replaced the rear today. The ride difference from 5 out of 10 increases to 9 out of 10. Will be replacing the front tomorrow but I doubt it will make a big difference since it rides quite good like a sedan now, loving it. All the bounciness gone eventhough the ride is soft like sedan. The problem is the rear springs guys! The oem springs are bulkier / fatter hence the hard ride! Will keep you updated with photos and review tomorrow after replacing the front. Not selling this car now. Also I have the 19" f sport wheels. Forget about tires, I use cheap tires still rides good after replacing the rear springs. Left the custom made springs, right oem springs
RX 330 / 2nd gen, the springs are not as fat as the 3rd gen. No wonder the 2nd gen rides much better. Similar to the customs springs I have now. RX 2nd Gen Springs
It really is all in the rear. Whenever I drive the 2014 F-Sport, it feels like I'm floating on a cloud despite people saying it's harsh, I feel like it's almost too soft for something with "Sport" in the name. When I ride in the back however, it feels like I'm going for a ride in a horse and carriage. It's very bumpy and rough, but not in a tight/sporty way, more like a blown out suspension/crappy kind of way and the handling reflects that too. It's even less smooth in the back there compared to my 2002 Highlander that has stiffer shocks, springs and sway bars all 'round. Rear shocks are possibly due at 120k kilometers although I don't see any leaks. Sounds like an absolutely perfect excuse to upgrade to Bilstein B6s! 😉
Yes sounds exactly as you described. But even when I drive, I do feel the softness side of it but at the same time it is bouncy as well. Whenever I go through uneven road, my body feels like being shake left and right. But after I replaced the rear only, its all gone. So it must be from the rear springs. The stock springs performs really good on the highway though / high speed travel its perfect.
