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

[AnyMal]

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.

Thats the only reason i didn't buy one of the older G550s. Most of those are relatively reliable but they all ride like ass.
There are great eras of MB G class but the LX is the best car all around for anyone with wisdom.

MB does not make an off road S class, lexus does.

 

[sadovnik]

Thats the only reason i didn't buy one of the older G550s. Most of those are relatively reliable but they all ride like ass.
There are great eras of MB G class but the LX is the best car all around for anyone with wisdom.

MB does not make an off road S class, lexus does.

I want to disagree with you so badly, but I just can't. They most certainly do ride like a dump truck, even with 18" wheels. I can't understand how some nitwits have 20" and 22" wheels on their G-wagens. It's insane.

 

[TheGrrrrr]

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 think before I spent $4,000 on the suspension, I might try driving a different one for comparison. Even a new one to see how yours differs from new... particularly if I was being told that it drives as it should. I can't think of a scenario (aside from horrific rust) where after an alignment my next choices would be lower and upper control arms or links. I'd probably start with going to a true highway tire. I'm having trouble understanding exactly what sucks about the LX in this case.

I'm not sure a body on frame wagon was ever the right vehicle for you.

 

[Angelo1]

I want to disagree with you so badly, but I just can't. They most certainly do ride like a dump truck, even with 18" tires. I can't understand how some nitwits have 20" and 22" tires on their G-wagens. It's insane.

The new G-Wagon is absolutely wonderful. Drives really well. Nothing like previous gen but I’m not dropping $200k on one

 

[DenverLX]

I have owned two 80 series, two 100 series and now a 16' LX. I can say with confidence that the LX is the best handling of all of them, on road and off. In addition, my buddy has a G wagon and that thing drives like a high powered stagecoach (its unbelievably terrible). However I have also driven several Range Rovers, Volvo's (my Wife's), infinity, Maserati, ext and yeah, those suv's handle way way way better but then again they are smaller, faster and they are not body on frame trucks with bumpers, lift and over size tires so that is to be expected. Don't buy an F-250 and expect it to drive like a Porsche, don't buy a body on frame truck and expect it to drive like a unibody Benz.

The LC/LX are big trucks and they handle like big trucks. If you are expecting a sporty or luxury feel you should definitely look elsewhere.

 

[AnyMal]

I want to disagree with you so badly, but I just can't. They most certainly do ride like a dump truck, even with 18" tires. I can't understand how some nitwits have 20" and 22" tires on their G-wagens. It's insane.

Believe me, I want to disagree with me too. It is in fact the car specced by our former King Reza Pahlavi of Iran. And trust me, plenty of my friends had them. Its my favorite car of all time.

@DenverLX Stagecoach is a perfect description.

The new G-Wagon is absolutely wonderful. Drives really well. Nothing like previous gen but I’m not dropping $200k on one

Exactly.

 

[milellie111]

Thanks for all replies whether negative or positive. I know the LX is not the “ultimate driving machine. I don’t expect the LX to drive “sporty”, however the feeling does not feel “normal”. Ive driven multiple Lexus and Toyota vehicles which are much cheaper so I know how they drive. I know the difference between the way a vehicle should drive and the disconnected feeling through the steering wheel of something worn. I replaced those suspension components because this was what many of the experts on here recommended for me to start, after the alignment. Well, that didn’t cure it so what could be now? Shocks? Yet many say if they’re not leaking it’s no use in replacing. Something in the steering rack such as rack bushings? Yet Toyota doesn’t produce just the bushings so you would have to order a whole new rack which is expensive. I like to keep my vehicles for years, which is why I’m invested in trying to figure it out, however you shouldn’t have to replace every suspension component up front because multiple Lexus dealers tell you everything is normal after driving it for only 5 minutes on smooth roads. Perhaps it is normal for a truck with 123,000 miles, but if it is I can’t imagine all of the positive reviews and folks driving this thing to 300k miles plus with the way mines behaves over slight road imperfections.

 

[TheGrrrrr]

Thanks for all replies whether negative or positive. I know the LX is not the “ultimate driving machine. I don’t expect the LX to drive “sporty”, however the feeling does not feel “normal”. Ive driven multiple Lexus and Toyota vehicles which are much cheaper so I know how they drive. I know the difference between the way a vehicle should drive and the disconnected feeling through the steering wheel of something worn. I replaced those suspension components because this was what many of the experts on here recommended for me to start, after the alignment. Well, that didn’t cure it so what could be now? Shocks? Yet many say if they’re not leaking it’s no use in replacing. Something in the steering rack such as rack bushings? Yet Toyota doesn’t produce just the bushings so you would have to order a whole new rack which is expensive. I like to keep my vehicles for years, which is why I’m invested in trying to figure it out, however you shouldn’t have to replace every suspension component up front because multiple Lexus dealers tell you everything is normal after driving it for only 5 minutes on smooth roads. Perhaps it is normal for a truck with 123,000 miles, but if it is I can’t imagine all of the positive reviews and folks driving this thing to 300k miles plus with the way mines behaves over slight road imperfections.

FIND ANOTHER ONE AND COMPARE IT.

 

[ace10]

Thanks for all replies whether negative or positive. I know the LX is not the “ultimate driving machine. I don’t expect the LX to drive “sporty”, however the feeling does not feel “normal”. Ive driven multiple Lexus and Toyota vehicles which are much cheaper so I know how they drive. I know the difference between the way a vehicle should drive and the disconnected feeling through the steering wheel of something worn. I replaced those suspension components because this was what many of the experts on here recommended for me to start, after the alignment. Well, that didn’t cure it so what could be now? Shocks? Yet many say if they’re not leaking it’s no use in replacing. Something in the steering rack such as rack bushings? Yet Toyota doesn’t produce just the bushings so you would have to order a whole new rack which is expensive. I like to keep my vehicles for years, which is why I’m invested in trying to figure it out, however you shouldn’t have to replace every suspension component up front because multiple Lexus dealers tell you everything is normal after driving it for only 5 minutes on smooth roads. Perhaps it is normal for a truck with 123,000 miles, but if it is I can’t imagine all of the positive reviews and folks driving this thing to 300k miles plus with the way mines behaves over slight road imperfections.

Do you seriously think ALL Toyotas and ALL Lexus "drive" the same? That there's even a tinybit of commonality between FWD sedans, unibody SUVs and your full size body on frame SUV, other than the badges on the rear end.

Why do you suppose "multiple Lexus dealers" tell you the same thing? It's in their best interest to load up the parts cannon and replace every single part YOU THINK needs to be replaced.

 

[grinchy]

This thread confuses me. I have an LX. I just drove it 1600 miles round trip. Two 800 mile days. Aside from the gas consumption(16 mpg) it was a dream ride. And I’m running 35s armor weight, etc. I had good visibility, power to spare to pass and drive my speed. Very comfortable seat. Amazing stereo (ok I did upgrade the stereo, but still).
It was every bit as comfortable as my previous Acura RL over that 13ish hours. I could switch to firm on the curvy 50 and 60 signed corners in south Oregon north california, and comfort on the bumpy bump concrete in Washington. Very nice and fully comfortable.
Your example of LX must be very bad, or your expectations really whack.
As others have said, go trade it in. Take the 5k loss and get a good LX.

 

[Markuson]

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?

Throwing $4000 at the front end doesn’t indicate whether it was appropriately targeted. Dealers will replace stuff all day long if you have an open wallet…

There are all sorts of possibilities here…ranging anywhere from a simple case of personal taste/expectations…to a poorly selected “upgrade”…to completely missing a possible, underlying issue.

More details are needed before anyone can offer you advice that isn’t mere guessing.

Do you drive other tall, 7000lb body-on-frame trucks for reference, or is this your first/only one? Honest question. If you expect ot to handle like other Lexus passenger cars…it won’t. At least not based on typical dealership timkerings.

 

[lx200inAR]

Thanks for all replies whether negative or positive. I know the LX is not the “ultimate driving machine. I don’t expect the LX to drive “sporty”, however the feeling does not feel “normal”. Ive driven multiple Lexus and Toyota vehicles which are much cheaper so I know how they drive. I know the difference between the way a vehicle should drive and the disconnected feeling through the steering wheel of something worn. I replaced those suspension components because this was what many of the experts on here recommended for me to start, after the alignment. Well, that didn’t cure it so what could be now? Shocks? Yet many say if they’re not leaking it’s no use in replacing. Something in the steering rack such as rack bushings? Yet Toyota doesn’t produce just the bushings so you would have to order a whole new rack which is expensive. I like to keep my vehicles for years, which is why I’m invested in trying to figure it out, however you shouldn’t have to replace every suspension component up front because multiple Lexus dealers tell you everything is normal after driving it for only 5 minutes on smooth roads. Perhaps it is normal for a truck with 123,000 miles, but if it is I can’t imagine all of the positive reviews and folks driving this thing to 300k miles plus with the way mines behaves over slight road imperfections.

This probably isn't the place to keep t-shooting your truck, being the umpteenth thread on the subject. But how confident are you the suspension globes are in good shape and that there is no air in your AHC lines? I had air in my lines and it definitely created a uneasy twitchy feeling in the suspension. Nothing I couldn't live/drive with as it let it go a couple months before I got back under the truck and bled the system again. But it made a pretty big difference once i finally did it.

I think I've already mentioned this in one of the other threads, but who knows.

 

[TexAZ]

i had similar feeling steering when my steering rack started to wear out. another guy here in Phoenix had a similar issue, which is how i knew what to look for on mine.

if you just can't stand the truck, i'm looking for an LX for my wife, I'd buy it off you cheap, since its a lemon with bad steering

 

[milellie111]

Indy mechanic drove truck and acknowledged it does not feel normal. Steering should not be that twitchy and should not be that much disconnection in steering wheel over bumps and while in comfort mode it is worse. He said it feels like something with the dampening. Bad shocks or accumulators. Had AHC flushed by them 25,000 miles ago. Does the valving occur in the shock or the accumulator? Should I start with another fluid flush at a Lexus dealer or order shocks alone or shocks and 4 accumulators?

 

[TeCKis300]

Indy mechanic drove truck and acknowledged it does not feel normal. Steering should not be that twitchy and should not be that much disconnection in steering wheel over bumps and while in comfort mode it is worse. He said it feels like something with the dampening. Bad shocks or accumulators. Had AHC flushed by them 25,000 miles ago. Does the valving occur in the shock or the accumulator? Should I start with another fluid flush at a Lexus dealer or order shocks alone or shocks and 4 accumulators?

If you haven't changed your globes, it's the globes. It's one of the most common failure mode for AHC vehicles. Your symptoms are consistent with a failed/ruptured globe.

Not likely the shocks as they are primarily a hydraulic strut, so unless they're leaking, no point in replacing. A leaking shock wouldn't necessarily result in these symptoms

 

[milellie111]

If you haven't changed your globes, it's the globes. It's one of the most common failure mode for AHC vehicles. Your symptoms are consistent with a failed/ruptured globe.

Not likely the shocks as they are primarily a hydraulic strut, so unless they're leaking, no point in replacing. A leaking shock wouldn't necessarily result in these symptoms

thanks @TeCKis300 any way to tell which globe is ruptured or do I have to replace all 4? Another AHC fluid flush after change?

 

[Cliffordbf]

thanks @TeCKis300 any way to tell which globe is ruptured or do I have to replace all 4? Another AHC fluid flush after change?

I think before you 'invest' more money into troubleshooting, you need to drive another LX. I have an 08 with 178k miles and only one AHC flush you can come drive any time!

 

[tbisaacs]

thanks @TeCKis300 any way to tell which globe is ruptured or do I have to replace all 4? Another AHC fluid flush after change?

You should do all 4

 

[trevorr90]

I have a 2021 LX and a 2020 Lexus GSF, LX definitely drives differently than the GSF lol.

I flew 350 miles to pick it up and drove it home and the entire drive was full of bumps. Every time I drove over a bump the steering wheel twitched. Drives like a truck.

 

[milellie111]

I have a 2021 LX and a 2020 Lexus GSF, LX definitely drives differently than the GSF lol.

I flew 350 miles to pick it up and drove it home and the entire drive was full of bumps. Every time I drove over a bump the steering wheel twitched. Drives like a truck.

Mines feel like a loss of control as if the wheels are leaving the ground. Can’t be normal.