Help Me Fix My 2013 LX Loose Front End Part 6 (1 Viewer)

[milellie111]

Okay, not totally. Yes it’s reliable. The power is nice. However the handling is terrible! 13 LX570 123,000 miles. The steering wheel moves and twitches even over the slightest bumps. Highway driving over bumps are sooo uncomfortable the truck feels so unstable in the front end.
Perfect alignment toed in tracks straight! AHC fluid changed at 100k miles. New upper and lower control arms, outer tie rods, sway links. Tires rotated and balanced multiple times on Michelin Defenders excellent tread full range of tire pressures explored.

Multiple dealers says “truck drives normal, they all drive like that”. Lol well if they do Lexus wouldn’t sell any! I don’t want to sell the truck as I love the Mark Levinson and comfort however I can’t drive it like this with the loose front end!

I’ve already spent $4000 on the suspension, any other ideas before I contemplate trading in for a Mercedes GLS 550?

 

[Madtiger]

AHC is just too complex. It is far from being reliable as old-fashion coil springs. It is seemingly more reliable/durable than other car brand’s air suspension (e.g. Mercedes air suspension crap)…but that is not saying much! Too hard to maintain reliably. Too many things that can go wrong. Diagnosing when things go wrong is pure hell. And despite being a hydraulic system, it still needs air to be drawn in which then clogs the filters.

It is better at towing due to self-leveling and lowering itself for entry/exit…but that’s about it.

Just go get a Land Cruiser.

 

[radman]

Dang. why do you keep starting new threads? You've literally started over 6 different threads about your steering issue and you've probably had that many alignments. Everyone said you needed more toe-in, and then you went and dropped "4k on suspension parts"??

Wasn't everything fine until you got new tires and your first alignment

122k Miles LX570

13 LX 122k miles. Sloppy handling over bumps, slow return to center out of u-turn and some clunks from front end. The slightest road imperfection moves the steering wheel and throws truck off course. Alignment is good. AHC fluid flushed 25k miles ago and tires have plenty of tread. Dealer and...

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[bloc]

Buy a vehicle that compromises on-road handling/comfort for off-road performance because it has nice sound system and seats, then complain that it doesn't handle well on road?

Makes perfect sense to me.

 

[Jakeonio]

AHC for the 200’s has a pretty solid track record. You have a few issues defined in other threads that sound like worn/broken parts but the way the rig handles, to me at least, seems pretty much on par with what I’d expect from a 6,000lb solid rear axle SUV. Mine is at 84k miles and seems pretty twitchy over the larger undulations in the road, which I always attributed to the solid axle and weight up high (I have a sensor lift and 35’s). Maybe the 200 just isn’t the right fit for you?

 

[TomEf]

Is the shop doing the alignment experienced and thorough? It's possible they're just giving you the ol' "toe and go" and they're not adjusting important things like caster.

Mine has a little twitch while steering over bumps, but is easily self correcting as long as you aren't death gripping the wheel. If the magnitude of that is the same as yours, I guess it's just something I'm willing to deal with as a compromise for all the other things that I like.

 

[fro20fow]

Let me guess.. it’s a rusted out suspension. If so, it’s not the LX, it’s the climate that sucks.

 

[Reckless]

Okay, not totally. Yes it’s reliable. The power is nice. However the handling is terrible! 13 LX570 123,000 miles. The steering wheel moves and twitches even over the slightest bumps. Highway driving over bumps are sooo uncomfortable the truck feels so unstable in the front end.
Perfect alignment toed in tracks straight! AHC fluid changed at 100k miles. New upper and lower control arms, outer tie rods, sway links. Tires rotated and balanced multiple times on Michelin Defenders excellent tread full range of tire pressures explored.

Multiple dealers says “truck drives normal, they all drive like that”. Lol well if they do Lexus wouldn’t sell any! I don’t want to sell the truck as I love the Mark Levinson and comfort however I can’t drive it like this with the loose front end!

I’ve already spent $4000 on the suspension, any other ideas before I contemplate trading in for a Mercedes GLS 550?

I drove 11 stock LX570s before purchasing because I didn't like the ride. The 12th LX570 (after I purchased my LC) had LT tires that got rid of the uncomfortable bumps I was experiencing. I ended up buying the LC over the LX even though I wanted the LX just for KDSS. KDSS made the vehicle feel much more nimbler in my eyes. I like the LX more for passenger comfort with LT tires. Sometimes I feel I should have gotten the LX for that but like you I didn't like the feeling of being disconnected from the road while driving. I had to spend $7k more to get LC and another $10k in upgrades. With the LX I would have spent $3k for tires and metal slide bars. Might have spent another $2k for 35" wheels as a second set.

 

[lovetoski]

I also have a 60, and an Impreza, the LX is awesome.

 

[hickuptruck]

You're probably coming from Cayennes and AMGs. Yeah, relatively its going to suck. But go compare any body on frame truck 1500 and come back to us again.

Go and get a GLS550. Completely different vehicle and I think the 200 series doesn't have the characteristics you're looking for.

 

[gbouton]

You're probably coming from Cayennes and AMGs. Yeah, relatively its going to suck. But go compare any body on frame truck 1500 and come back to us again.

Go and get a GLS550. Completely different vehicle and I think the 200 series doesn't have the characteristics you're looking for.

Good advice, except the fragile GLS will spend most of it's time in the shop for one reason or another (speaking as a former GLS owner).

 

[ace10]

Dang. why do you keep starting new threads? You've literally started over 6 different threads about your steering issue and you've probably had that many alignments. Everyone said you needed more toe-in, and then you went and dropped "4k on suspension parts"??

Wasn't everything fine until you got new tires and your first alignment

122k Miles LX570

13 LX 122k miles. Sloppy handling over bumps, slow return to center out of u-turn and some clunks from front end. The slightest road imperfection moves the steering wheel and throws truck off course. Alignment is good. AHC fluid flushed 25k miles ago and tires have plenty of tread. Dealer and...

forum.ih8mud.com

Holy crap.

Tire Pressures!

Since I’ve picked up my 13 LX570 with 93,000 on the clock a few weeks ago, I have been so disappointed with it. It wandered and pulled to the right. It has been irritating to drive. I took it in for an alignment and the left toe was out significantly. After the alignment, it was better but...

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LX570 New Alignment Problem Please Help

2013 LX570 with 105,000 miles. Just got new Michelin Defender LTX tires balanced (regular and not road force) and installed by my Indy shop and alignment done at Lexus dealer. Car drives so much better with new tires and alignment and finally tracks straight. However afterward, I’m noticing...

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Lower Control Arms or Shocks?

2013 LX570 with 108,000 miles front end feels loose with steering wheel shakes over bumps. Car is properly aligned and has new tires. What is most likely the culprit at this mileage? Shocks or lower control arms? Can you also recommend place to source parts and part numbers? Thanks!

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LX Front Suspension Refresh

2013 Lexus LX570 110k miles all original suspension. AHC fluid changed at 95k. Stock 20" wheels with new Michelin Defender tires at 34 psi and proper alignment. Truck has gradually gotten looser over bumps/road imperfections which can be felt through the steering wheel. Far worse on comfort...

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Finally!! LX570 Perfect Alignment!

@TTO5 @TeCKis300 @bloc @Taco2Cruiser @gaijin @nwfl4runner I’m happy to report that after 3 months of dealing with a loose front end over bumps due to a Lexus dealer (left driver side tie rod nut left loose) and 2 Indy shops not being able to properly align my 2013 LX570 with 110,000 miles, I...

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VGRS Issue?

2013 LX570 113,000 miles. When coming out of a full lock u-turn, steering wheels remains drastically off center for a few seconds while driving straight. Also have major wobble going over bumps definitely worse at Highway speeds. My mechanic says it sounds like steering rack. I came across a...

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Return To Center

2013 LX570 117,000 miles. Coming out of some u-turns steering wheel remains significantly off center for a few seconds before dead straight however the truck drives straight. I took a video March 30, 2021 - https://youtube.com/shorts/fkJ9PaivJK4 Lexus repair shop says all suspension components...

forum.ih8mud.com

122k Miles LX570

13 LX 122k miles. Sloppy handling over bumps, slow return to center out of u-turn and some clunks from front end. The slightest road imperfection moves the steering wheel and throws truck off course. Alignment is good. AHC fluid flushed 25k miles ago and tires have plenty of tread. Dealer and...

forum.ih8mud.com

Alignment Experts How Does This Look?13

Aligned after 4 tries 13 LX570

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Just sell the friggin truck.

 

[JetFuel]

This is anecdotal of course, but I found that the ride improved when I swapped out the 20" wheels for 17s

 

[04UZJ100]

 

[Sandroad]

Yah, you might expect some flames. 9 threads and around 180 posts helping you with perceived handling problems and you’re keeping it because you like the sound? Trade it in on a Mercedes ASAP.

 

[Arailt]

Two years and 30k miles and you're still not used to the handling? Time to sell.

Hats off for putting that many miles on during COVID, sir. You must like to drive that thing.

 

[DCOVIEL]

"Come drive the car that one guy on tripadvisor said was the worst handling ever"

a GLS550 is a totally different beast. Im confident you will love it.

 

[AnyMal]

Bruh, its a 6,000 lb. truck, top heavy, and relatively short wheelbase and it rides damn good for what it is.
GLS, X7, Escalade, even the Defender will have better comfort as they are all independent F/R suspensions now with much more compressible air suspension systems.

You honestly should sell and buy something else.

 

[Angelo1]

Okay, not totally. Yes it’s reliable. The power is nice. However the handling is terrible! 13 LX570 123,000 miles. The steering wheel moves and twitches even over the slightest bumps. Highway driving over bumps are sooo uncomfortable the truck feels so unstable in the front end.
Perfect alignment toed in tracks straight! AHC fluid changed at 100k miles. New upper and lower control arms, outer tie rods, sway links. Tires rotated and balanced multiple times on Michelin Defenders excellent tread full range of tire pressures explored.

Multiple dealers says “truck drives normal, they all drive like that”. Lol well if they do Lexus wouldn’t sell any! I don’t want to sell the truck as I love the Mark Levinson and comfort however I can’t drive it like this with the loose front end!

I’ve already spent $4000 on the suspension, any other ideas before I contemplate trading in for a Mercedes GLS 550?

GLS 550? Why go backwards, get the 580. Also, the GLS is very floaty and much costlier to maintain. So, if you’re intent is to save money buying a 550, enjoy paying $580 every oil service. Been there done that on a few Mercs once the freebie service goes away. Why don’t you look at the new GMC Yukon AT4. Much cheaper to maintain or a Denali. The X7 drives much better compared to the GLS.

 

[sadovnik]

Shoot, if it bothers you that the steering wheel twitches over every imperfection on the road, then definitely steer clear of the G-class Mercedes and it's solid front axle (before the 2019 redesign). It will drive you nuts, even with a beefy aftermarket steering damper. The GLS, on the other hand will probably be more to your liking. Granted, reliability will take a nose dive over any Toyota product, but you can't have it all.