FYI: Toyota to recall 39,000 2003-2007 LX470's...

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our 03 Toy also has telescopic wheel and variable sensitivity or whatever it's called.
It's odd it would only be the Lexus that's recalled.

When the 4th gen 4runner and GX470 debuted in 2003, there were complaints of steering vibration on the V8's at highway speeds. After some time, toyota apparently came up with a fix for the GX by replacing $800+ in various steering/suspension components, which solved the problem. The 4runners were never addressed, causing some owners fed up with the problem to trade in their rigs.

Down Under, both the LX and UZJ/HDJ100's are affected:

Toyota—Land Cruiser 100 Series & Lexus LX470 Steering Intermediate Shaft Snap Ring
 
ahh, the sahara LC, that's the top of the line, no? and it's only the later tail end of the run, maybe they had the same steering system as the LXs
 
Hmmmm, I have a slight shimmy in the steering wheel of my 03 that started a few weeks ago. I had the tires balanced and rotated but the problem is still exactly the same. Now I'm thinking it's not the tires.
 
Models of the LC100 with rack and pinion and Skid Control (VSC) came with VGRS from August 2002, in Europe and Oz (what about the US?). I.e only the uzj100L & uzj100R VX grade.
In Oz, it also came on the HDJ100 VX from May 2005.

To find out if you have VGRS, count number of turns from lock to lock. At low speeds it is 2.4 for vgrs and 3.3 for non vgrs. (At high speeds it is 3.5 with vgrs, but that's harder to test). I.e. the gear ratio is 17.3 w/o vgrs and 12.4 to 18 with vgrs, and even lower than 12.4 when skid control is interfering.

The VGRS is actually an actuator with a dc motor on the steering wheel shaft. This actuator will work "with you" or "against you" as you turn the wheel, depending on vehicle speed and VSC input.

This is from the fsm - new features summaries.
 
Just wondering, has anyone had the recall done yet? We just received notice this past week. Our issue is the nearest dealer is 6 hours away.
 
Just wondering, has anyone had the recall done yet? We just received notice this past week. Our issue is the nearest dealer is 6 hours away.

Had mine done last week along w/ the timing belt/water pump. Recall work was free, of course, plus the dealer topped off the tank w/ Shell 91 V-power for n/c. For the t-belt work, I charged it to Lexus pursuit card points, so it was also free! Since your dealer is so far away, you might try asking Lexus to either (1) pick up and deliver your rig on a flatbed or (2) to pay for one night's hotel. After all, the platinum warranty pays for up to 3 nights hotel plus provides a loaner and even pays meals if your rig breaks down while on vacation, so why can't they do this for recall work? I doesn't hurt to ask. Worse thing is they say "no."
 
IIRC, The actual failure that sparked the recall is a possible disengagement of the steering shaft in certain front end collisions. It's possible the dealer could have overlooked it. You can always call the dealer/Toyota/Lexus and have them check the VIN for outstanding recalls.
 
my 2003 with 92k miles has telescopic steering wheel, it makes noise at startup and shutoff, and is generally pretty annoying
 
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