Steering wheel wiggle
 

My Sc430 with 95k has a steering wheel wiggle . Tires balanced, worn lower ball joint and front end alignment been done. Seems to come and go at various speeds. Thanks for your help. Greg

its like built into the car.

Do you mean vibration you feel in the steering wheel at different speeds ( many of us have a little of this, often at 60-70 mph ) or do you mean excessive free play in the steering wheel which you can wiggle around without changing the direction of the car ?

Its a vibration. Recently noticed it also clears up upon acceleration.

Like I said, many of us have this symptom at about 65 mph and like you said, it clears up when we accelerate to about 75-80 mph. For me, it is so slight that I am not doing anything about it. Once, when it got annoying, I rebalanced the tires and rotated them and the vibration went away.

I have the same on and off different speeds' vibration.

mandy
this is an on going thing with 430sc. I have new joints top and bottom, sway bar bushing, upper and lower poly bushing. completely alig. balanced perfect. this has to a lexus 430sc problem. we all have this problem can't lexus be lib. for this?

SC430 vibration
 

Have you had the wheels and tires roadforce balanced? Do you have original wheels? I have seen many bent OEM rims over the years and the runflats are prone to roadforce variations that will cause vibration even with properly balanced wheels.

I can say unequivocally that mine does not have any annoying sensations through the steering wheel once the tires warm up. These are Conti DWS on stock rims, road force balanced, normal alignment specs on a 2002 with new shocks (Konis). I do notice that the balance on these wide, low-profile wheel/tire combinations has to be done meticulously. That's why I go for Road Force balancing on warm tires. ( I"m really surprised that with nearly 30K miles on the Conti's that they are wearing evenly (!) and still show the imprinted 'S' (Snow). I wasn't expecting that kind of wear! )

Same with mine, on some days, everything's good then suddenly I have vibration on certain speeds. Sometimes I can tell is the cold flat phenomenon. Some days flat out scratching my head.

Been trying to get rid of that for 2 years now and I think I know whats causing it.. Let me know what you guys think?

Replaced:
- brakes
- upper control arm
- lower ball joint
- inner/outer tie rod ends
- sway bar links

Added:
- Daizen front end bushing kit
- cusco strut bar
- extended studs + custom ET ultra shank lugs for the tightest hold
- 20" wheels + hubcentric rings and brand new tires

Allignment and balancing done the shake is still there!! and like everyone it comes at random speeds, and it seems like the wheel shifts in and outward but sometimes back and forth. I really think 2 ball joints which hold the hub from above and below are a VERY WEAK connection on a car thats weighs 3800 lbs and Lexus needs to look into this. As road shifts at angles, ball joints rock the hub in/out and back/forth which I really believe is the failure.


Attachment 289690

I think polyurethane "Ball Joint & Tie Rod End Boots" would make some what of a difference. what do you guys think?

"http://www.suspension.com/bjb.htm"

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bimmer
if your right about the hub no one makes a better hub system. boy I must say you are trying your best are't you.
as you see there in no way to have a better setup.

Lol no man, im just trying to figure out what it is.. do you really think 2 ball joints holding all that seems alright? I mean i can understand that it makes a ride more comfy but does it seem sturdy?

These cars have many weak points, but ofcourse no one makes a perfect item... Lexus is known for reliability with its big components such as engine, tranny , etc... but suspension I dont think so... If it honestly was the best hub system we wouldn't be having these issues. I just got a 2012 GX460 with 30,000km on it certified and extended warranty and it does the same thing ...when I told them, lol they respond by saying its normal when its not and obviously they don't want to do anything but im going to have to get serious with them.

I have had several german car's I never encountered these type of issues. only electrical if any. I also noticed there suspension is much more solid and more to detail. I have spent 10k changing smg pump, clutch, driveshaft on my M3 which is alot but atleast I get to enjoy it since it drives properly, you know what i mean?

But again im not here to argue anyone im still new to a Lexus its why I need help figuring this out so maybe Lexus can be held liable. Has anyone driven a newer SC, if so how does it feel? and thanks for the input Bacardi!

bimmer
that's it just the 2 ball joint nothing else. if the upper and lower joint broke at the same tine the wheel wound come off that's it.