First, I have sold my 2005 SC430 Many thanks to Forum members for their active contributions. Bacardi (:

Two tips for roof squeaks, groans, rattles:

* For the 2005 SC430 model there is a suspension knock field fix that I had done on my car by Lexus Townsville Australia. It involves loosening off some part of the rear suspension, driving the car very slowly back and forth until the suspension settles in to a 'sweet spot'. Suspension is then tightened. A by-product of this field fix was reduced roof groans. True.

* I had been chasing a low level 'bearing type groan' from the roof area behind the passenger seat for eons. After doing all the usual suspect treatments and tweaks, I decided to spray silicone in, around and under the two small black quarter panels, or 'wings' that move in and out when the roof is raised. You have to stop the roof mid-cycle to access the black panels. Hey presto! No more metallic bearing groan. Don't ask me why but it works.

It is not a permanent fix. Similarly to using glycerol regularly on all roof rubbers, you may find, as I did, that the metallic bearing noise comes back and so you have to reapply. The roof on my model worked 100% correctly and Lexus Townsville could find no other source of the noise (i.e. the bearing type noise did not represent imminent roof failure).

Kudos to Lexus Townsville Australia. It is a dealership in tropical Far North Queensland. Their service was exemplary.

 

thanks Townsville sorry to see you go. I wish you the best in the future.

 

Thanks Townsville. (Also sorry to see you go.)

What are you replacing it with?

 

Tks guys, Regrettably, I am about to start another home home renovation and had to purchase a robust hatch/wagon............sigh

 

i agree^^^^^^^^^

 

Great information. Thanks!