Just wanted fellow owners to know that I tried something and it worked. Remember a previous post complaining of a shimmy in the wheel on certain (especially smooth) road surfaces. Since reading elsewhere of a recommendation to use 40psi of pressure in the run-flats, I filled them all from 30 to 40 psi......wah lah...no shimmy and the smoothest ride to date on alll surfaces. I'm impressed!


Comments??

 

There are advantages and disadvanatages. On this particular car Id got with about 35psi. Trucks, maybe 42. Its funny at the track I used to drop them down to like 20psi...haha (not the SC). Id go with 35, give or take between 32-38

 

carnaught

Are you using run flats?

 

Alpha2600.....

Yea.....these ARE indeed our beloved run-flats.....

 

When I bought aftermarket rims, I kept the original tires. The rim guy told me to inflate to about 40. I left it at that ever since. 11,000 miles and no shimmy or cupping.

 

Doesn't that make the tires wear out faster and make for a rougher ride?

 

Yes, it will probably wear the tires out faster, but we are not talking 20psi here, that you would definitely feel a difference. There are pros and cons for higher and lower pressure amounts. I choose somewhere in the middle. Gets the best of both worlds. It usually recommended to put in 42psi, but like I said just an opinion.

 

Followed Carnaught's suggestion today, put the blasted Bridgestone runflats up to 40lbs cold, drove about 80 miles on varied surfaces. Report:

STEERING IMPROVED !!!!

The amount of "tramlining", i.e., jerkiness of steering over irregularities in the pavement, is definitely considerably reduced. Steering has gone from a 4 or 5 on a 1-10 scale (with an M3 as 10) to 7+. Pretty much solves my principal complaint about this car. HOWEVER WHAT MAY BE INTERESTING is that I tried this when the car was new in May 2001 and it did not help at all. Now have 17,500 miles on the car, plenty tread left in the tires. Also my car came with the first variety rear bushings, couple months back I had the latest ones put in under warranty. So good results may be combination of three factors: (1) new bushings (2) some tire wear (3) higher pressure. Ride may be a bit stiffer but barely noticeably so. Later this week I will try 45 lbs.

Thanks Carnaught !!

 

Just to clarify my post of a few moments ago, the new bushings alone did not help the steering at all altho they did improve the ride.

 

What are "bushings"?

 

supports for the rear suspension parts

 

rcf8000

Suggest you use "search" for "bushings". There is quite a bit in past months on the forum.

 

Lexus Technical Adviser says that Technical Service Information Bulletin (TSIB) PG 005-02, which has been out for awhile, recommends run-flat psi at 38. He also says that there is other valuable info in that TSIB. If someone is going to their dealer soon, check it out and clue the rest of us in on what else of interest is in it.

 

The service advisor told my wife that the rear shocks need to be replaced, and they have ordered them. This must be in accordance with a recall of some sort; she hadn't complained about anything.

 

He must mean the bushing job