Long-time lurker. Have an '04 LX 470 purchased pre-certified in 2008 with approx. 46k that now has approx 108k. At about 102k, started experiencing vibration at around 30-35 mph when the trans tries to shift up. Does not vibrate when coasting, only when lightly accelerating. Vibration is similar to driving a washboard road and can range from barely noticeable to jarring and violent. The vibration continues until I let my foot off the accelerator or until I shift into 4 with the selector lever. Local non-dealer Toyota shop talked to Lexus Tech and recommendation was for a fluid drain and refill. After first drain and refill, issue didn't occur as often. After second drain and refill, issue abated for approximately three weeks of daily driving and then began occurring again. After third drain and refill, issue is occurring consistently again. Note that these were drain and refills, not flushes and the trans ECU was erased each time. Also, the drained fluid was put through a strainer and no particles or debris were observed.
There is a TSB that appears to describe my issue and my VIN is in the range of affected models. I've included it at the bottom of the post. A similar issue was experienced by the OPs of the following threads, but the threads either died out or went off topic - no resolution was ever reported:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/100-series-washboard-style-vibration.796261/#post-9148400
https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/04-transmission-problem.603692/
Local shop is recommending replacement of trans and torque converter with Lexus factory reman parts. I don't have an estimate yet, but imagine it's going to make me ill. I think we can definitely confine this to a transmission issue and not drive train. Any additional thoughts or suggestions? Do I have any recourse with Lexus (pre-certified warranty ran out in Oct 2011) since there's a TSB out there that matches my issue exactly? There's no indication from PO maintenance records that the vehicle has ever had any reported trans issues.
I also want to get this issue documented on the forum so others will have an easier time getting answers in the future. I know the forum has been an incredible resource for me over the last 6 years.
Thanks for your help.
TRANSMISSION & CLUTCH
TC001-05
Title:
FIFTH GEAR SHUDDER
Models:
'04 - '05 LX 470
January 28, 2005
Introduction
Models affected: 2004-’05 LX 470 vehicles produced before the Production Change Effective VIN: JTJHT00W#53553516
Some 2004 and 2005 model year LX 470 vehicles may exhibit a shudder (or vibration) sensation, usually accompanied by a cyclic droning noise, when lightly accelerating (less than 15% throttle) after the transmission shifts into 5th gear (usually between 35 and 45 mph). This condition may be caused by water entering the transmission breather, contaminating the transmission fluid. The transmission breather has been changed to prevent water intrusion.
Repair Procedure:
1. Remove the automatic transmission with torque converter.
a. Disconnect the breather tube and transfer rear case hose No. 1 from the transmission breather skirt (vent). See Fig. 1.
b. Remove the transmission with torque converter.
Refer to the Technical Information System (TIS), 2004 or 2005 model year LX 470 Repair Manual; Automatic Transmission: Automatic Transmission Unit: Removal.
2. Replace the transmission breather skirt (vent), P/N 35123–60060.
– Remove the bolt and replace the transmission breather skirt (vent). See Fig. 2.
Torque: 12 Nm (122 kgf cm, 8.9 fts.-lbf)
3. Install the new automatic transmission with the new torque converter, P/N 35010–60A00–84.
Refer to TIS, 2004 or 2005 model year LX 470 Repair Manual; Automatic Transmission: Automatic Transmission Unit: Removal.
a. Reconnect the breather tube and transfer rear case hose No. 1 to the transmission breather skirt (vent).
4. Adjust the fluid level in the transmission. Refer to TIS, 2004 or 2005 model year LX 470 Repair Manual; Diagnostics: Automatic Transmission: Pre-Check.
5. Road-test and confirm proper transmission operation.
There is a TSB that appears to describe my issue and my VIN is in the range of affected models. I've included it at the bottom of the post. A similar issue was experienced by the OPs of the following threads, but the threads either died out or went off topic - no resolution was ever reported:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/100-series-washboard-style-vibration.796261/#post-9148400
https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/04-transmission-problem.603692/
Local shop is recommending replacement of trans and torque converter with Lexus factory reman parts. I don't have an estimate yet, but imagine it's going to make me ill. I think we can definitely confine this to a transmission issue and not drive train. Any additional thoughts or suggestions? Do I have any recourse with Lexus (pre-certified warranty ran out in Oct 2011) since there's a TSB out there that matches my issue exactly? There's no indication from PO maintenance records that the vehicle has ever had any reported trans issues.
I also want to get this issue documented on the forum so others will have an easier time getting answers in the future. I know the forum has been an incredible resource for me over the last 6 years.
Thanks for your help.
TRANSMISSION & CLUTCH
TC001-05
Title:
FIFTH GEAR SHUDDER
Models:
'04 - '05 LX 470
January 28, 2005
Introduction
Models affected: 2004-’05 LX 470 vehicles produced before the Production Change Effective VIN: JTJHT00W#53553516
Some 2004 and 2005 model year LX 470 vehicles may exhibit a shudder (or vibration) sensation, usually accompanied by a cyclic droning noise, when lightly accelerating (less than 15% throttle) after the transmission shifts into 5th gear (usually between 35 and 45 mph). This condition may be caused by water entering the transmission breather, contaminating the transmission fluid. The transmission breather has been changed to prevent water intrusion.
Repair Procedure:
1. Remove the automatic transmission with torque converter.
a. Disconnect the breather tube and transfer rear case hose No. 1 from the transmission breather skirt (vent). See Fig. 1.
b. Remove the transmission with torque converter.
Refer to the Technical Information System (TIS), 2004 or 2005 model year LX 470 Repair Manual; Automatic Transmission: Automatic Transmission Unit: Removal.
2. Replace the transmission breather skirt (vent), P/N 35123–60060.
– Remove the bolt and replace the transmission breather skirt (vent). See Fig. 2.
Torque: 12 Nm (122 kgf cm, 8.9 fts.-lbf)
3. Install the new automatic transmission with the new torque converter, P/N 35010–60A00–84.
Refer to TIS, 2004 or 2005 model year LX 470 Repair Manual; Automatic Transmission: Automatic Transmission Unit: Removal.
a. Reconnect the breather tube and transfer rear case hose No. 1 to the transmission breather skirt (vent).
4. Adjust the fluid level in the transmission. Refer to TIS, 2004 or 2005 model year LX 470 Repair Manual; Diagnostics: Automatic Transmission: Pre-Check.
5. Road-test and confirm proper transmission operation.