Help Me Fix My 2013 LX Loose Front End Part 6

[HGB]

And for all who are offended thinking I am suggesting that Mercedes is "better" than Lexus, I am not trying to start that debate. They are different vehicles for totally different purposes. Reliability AND driving experience? Of course there’s a compromise. I was overreacting as I realize the true cost of moving into another vehicle like a GLS (a good 40k more) than keeping my current LX and fixing it to ride stable. I don’t mind spending another $1500 - $2000 more after I’ve spent $4000 to get it to ride composed and the front end stable. I just want to spend my money knowing it will correct my issue. 4 new accumulators and fluid change coming up. Hopefully I notice a significant improvement.

Keep us posted if that helps. I don't understand all the hate. Yes you've started multiple threads but you're clearly not trolling and I don't know why MUD is turning their backs on you. Also agree you should take their advice and test drive another LX with miles on it to see. I've had 3 or 4 and they all drive differently, some tighter and some looser.

Mud members getting offended our trucks aren't perfect- move on. He's clearly trying to fix the truck rather than dumping it, shouldn't we respect that at the minimum?

 

[bloc]

Keep us posted if that helps. I don't understand all the hate. Yes you've started multiple threads but you're clearly not trolling and I don't know why MUD is turning their backs on you. Also agree you should take their advice and test drive another LX with miles on it to see. I've had 3 or 4 and they all drive differently, some tighter and some looser.

Mud members getting offended our trucks aren't perfect- move on. He's clearly trying to fix the truck rather than dumping it, shouldn't we respect that at the minimum?

So refusing to take advice given in good faith and posting that the platform we all spend all this time discussing sucks isn’t trolling?

 

[HGB]

So refusing to take advice given in good faith and posting that the platform we all spend all this time discussing sucks isn’t trolling?

He took advice, though. I did say I think he should listen and drive other trucks, but the absence of that doesn’t mean he’s worthless.

He also admitted he was frustrated and wrote the initial post without thinking it all the way through. We all make mistakes, I’m just advocating for less pitchforks and more understanding, good brother bloc.

 

[Madtiger]

So refusing to take advice given in good faith and posting that the platform we all spend all this time discussing sucks isn’t trolling?

He did. The only advice I think that he has not done is drive other LX. But in term of repair advice from members here, he took every single one of them and spent his money to try and fix it. If you think about it, he actually listened to members here more than most of us!

 

[Madtiger]

Who asked about LX vs LC in this thread? This is off topic.

Poster asked about evasive maneuvers. Should I compare that to a Mercedes to stay on topic?

 

[ace10]

why do I need to waste my time driving another LX to see "if it’s normal" when I know it is not driving as it it should, did not drive like this when I bought it and has gradually gotten worse?

Not one single person on Mud is going to be able to to help you with your "problem," no matter what it may be.

That's a certainty.

I hope you find what you are seeking.

 

[RT Cruiser]

It’s possible you have a lemon and/or prior owner drove it like an idiot. I’ve taken our ‘08 with double your mileage on many 4x4 trails, city streets, highways, and byways. The steering has always been tight. The prior owner had oem suspension which will soon be replaced by Bilatein as soon as AJUSA has the parts (been waiting since Apr). Yet the rig has never felt loose, except with soft tires (next).

Michelins are very soft tires. They wear quickly. By 10k miles Michelins will have more tire wear than expected. The guys at my local Discount Tire recommend customers get another brand (and they sell them). Going forward I suggest getting Yokohamas for less tire flexibility and more true road grip. They are very quiet and don’t squirm around like soft tires do. I had a similar soft tires (Continental) and they gave the feel of being loose. This is probably part of your issue. If you don’t mind the noise get KO2s.

Though the suspension needs an upgrade, the ride is still comfy and predictable. It’s not nimble, and it shouldn’t be… the truck is designed to drive over a million miles whether on or off road. I’m not the off road expert as some here are, but I’ve done enough CO trails to testify the rig is a pure beast and incredibly reliable, capable, and secure on the trails.

If you’re wanting a nimble, very smooth, and effortless ride, then sell your rig on your own without trading it in. Wait a few months for the car market bubble to become deflated. Then get another Lexus or whatever. FYI - no other car manufacturer can match Toyota quality except for Honda. German cars may look great and perform at a high level, but they require a lot more time in a mechanics bay than Toyota.

Drive safe. Peace.

 

[bloc]

He did. The only advice I think that he has not done is drive other LX. But in term of repair advice from members here, he took every single one of them and spent his money to try and fix it. If you think about it, he actually listened to members here more than most of us!

The guy is saying he shouldn’t need to do what we are saying. Because it didn’t used to drive like this. Meaning, it used to drive fine. And has posted a thread saying the vehicle sucks? “Trolling” is subjective but my point to HGB stands.

Poster asked about evasive maneuvers. Should I compare that to a Mercedes to stay on topic?

I love my KDSS cruiser, but really don’t understand why you feel the need to interject with it’s supposed superiority over AHC at any vaguely connected opportunity. It isn’t a contest..

Or am I speaking Team KDSS blasphemy?

 

[Madtiger]

The guy is saying he shouldn’t need to do what we are saying. Because it didn’t used to drive like this. Meaning, it used to drive fine. And has posted a thread saying the vehicle sucks? “Trolling” is subjective but my point to HGB stands.



I love my KDSS cruiser, but really don’t understand why you feel the need to interject with it’s supposed superiority over AHC at any vaguely connected opportunity. It isn’t a contest..

Or am I speaking Team KDSS blasphemy?

Again, bloc, he asked about evasive maneuvers…and concern for his wife’s safety. I gave him perspective b/w two vehicles of the same type of construction/weight. He felt that AHC was not responsive…and I gave him real life data to support his “feeling”.

Is there a KDSS team? Can i join?! Please…..Or am i a club member, President, vice president, and treasurer?

 

[milellie111]

Thanks @Madtiger and @HGB. And no guys I am not trolling. I did follow everyone’s advice here by starting with the suspension bushings, OTRE’s, airing tires to different PSI’s, getting the frozen caster bolts replaced, getting multiple alignments with proper toe in etc. I am really trying to get this figured out and when/if I do, hopefully it can be a help to someone else. Finding another LX like mine to test drive is not so easy as there are hardly any for sale close to me and none at a nearby Carmax. But then again driving another one with high mileage traded in at a used car dealer to baseline my issue might not tell me much as that one may not drive as it should either (blown accumulators, AHC never serviced, bad suspension bushings etc).

Sorry for starting multiple threads on the topic I actually didn‘t realize I started that many and perhaps just wanted more visibility to newer folks that may not have been a part of those threads and may have experienced the same issue. And actually someone else on here complained of the same thing and was working on trying to get it figured out as well.

Again, perhaps I started this thread out of frustration with the money I just spent and I’ve seen no improvement. Yes, it was overblown and no the LX does not "Suck". I’ve owned Audi, BMW and Mercedes before and no I would not get a GL without warranty and do not expect the same reliability.

I know all of the rave reviews the LX has gotten and why people keep them forever which is why I know my extremely loose steering and loss of control over bumps and floatiness is not normal.

For those that are saying sell the truck and get another good working LX, it doesn’t financially make sense. Taking sales tax into account, I would have to spend $20,000 more to jump into a comparable LX since they’ve appreciated in value so much since I bought mine 2 years ago before the pandemic. So far I’ve thrown $3500 at the front suspension for things that eventually would need replacing anyway soon, so if spending another $1500 on accumulators and another AHC fluid flush will significantly improve the ride I’m more motivated to go that route.

Some have suggested it’s my Michelin Defenders which still have great tread and I’ve already had swapped out with a fresh set to see if the other set were causing my issue and that was not the case. Also others on here have the Defenders and say they ride great.

Again, I appreciate all of the helpful responses whether positive or negative and was not trying to piss anyone off in here.

 

[milellie111]

It’s possible you have a lemon and/or prior owner drove it like an idiot. I’ve taken our ‘08 with double your mileage on many 4x4 trails, city streets, highways, and byways. The steering has always been tight. The prior owner had oem suspension which will soon be replaced by Bilatein as soon as AJUSA has the parts (been waiting since Apr). Yet the rig has never felt loose, except with soft tires (next).

Michelins are very soft tires. They wear quickly. By 10k miles Michelins will have more tire wear than expected. The guys at my local Discount Tire recommend customers get another brand (and they sell them). Going forward I suggest getting Yokohamas for less tire flexibility and more true road grip. They are very quiet and don’t squirm around like soft tires do. I had a similar soft tires (Continental) and they gave the feel of being loose. This is probably part of your issue. If you don’t mind the noise get KO2s.

Though the suspension needs an upgrade, the ride is still comfy and predictable. It’s not nimble, and it shouldn’t be… the truck is designed to drive over a million miles whether on or off road. I’m not the off road expert as some here are, but I’ve done enough CO trails to testify the rig is a pure beast and incredibly reliable, capable, and secure on the trails.

If you’re wanting a nimble, very smooth, and effortless ride, then sell your rig on your own without trading it in. Wait a few months for the car market bubble to become deflated. Then get another Lexus or whatever. FYI - no other car manufacturer can match Toyota quality except for Honda. German cars may look great and perform at a high level, but they require a lot more time in a mechanics bay than Toyota.

Drive safe. Peace.

I purchased it with 92,000 miles from the original Lexus dealer it was sold by new. 1 owner older guy used for highway driving back and forth MD to DE. Always serviced on time by Lexus dealer extensive service records no accidents.

 

[bloc]

Again, bloc, he asked about evasive maneuvers…and concern for his wife’s safety. I gave him perspective b/w two vehicles of the same type of construction/weight. He felt that AHC was not responsive…and I gave him real life data to support his “feeling”.

Is there a KDSS team? Can i join?! Please…..Or am i a club member, President, vice president, and treasurer?

Can we agree that if a correctly operating AHC couldn’t hit safety standards it wouldn’t be sold by Toyota?

Then how is KDSS relevant to the conversation?

 

[xhrix123]

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?

Honestly mine sucked to drive until I deleted the AHC. I love it now. Still dialing suspension in. I have had a newer LX570 in the past with less miles and AHC was great, but my 160k 08 was not good. For $4k you could have got a full set of king 2.5

 

[xhrix123]

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.

How are you getting 16mpg with that setup. I wish I could get that. What year?

 

[xhrix123]

I purchased it with 92,000 miles from the original Lexus dealer it was sold by new. 1 owner older guy used for highway driving back and forth MD to DE. Always serviced on time by Lexus dealer extensive service records no accidents.

I would delete the AHC and look into replacing with ICON. If your options is a GLS you must not be doing significant off roading and Icons have digressive valving. Supposedly they are killer on road but a little harsher off road. I put in King, but I dont mind the softer ride for the off road benefits.

 

[Madtiger]

Can we agree that if a correctly operating AHC couldn’t hit safety standards it wouldn’t be sold by Toyota?

Then how is KDSS relevant to the conversation?

Somehow you’re still not understanding what i wrote…oh well. Also, my post was to the poster…thus, my quote in that post referencing said poster. Not sure why you got involved…but good for you bloc. But if you have any further data to counteract what i posted to the reference said poster, then feel free to post. Otherwise, this is getting silly on your end. Feel free to DM me if you want to further discuss.

 

[eatSleepWoof]

Not one single person on Mud is going to be able to to help you with your "problem," no matter what it may be.

That's a certainty.

Do we really not have a single psychiatrist on 'mud?

 

[eatSleepWoof]

I love my KDSS cruiser, but really don’t understand why you feel the need to interject with it’s supposed superiority over AHC at any vaguely connected opportunity. It isn’t a contest..

I blocked the person you're replying to several years ago, purely because I was tired of reading how superior the LC is (over the LX) in literally every thread. I read your comment above, completely out of context (due to not seeing the post(s) you're responding to) and instantly knew that littlekitty was posting his usual crap in this thread. Unfortunate...

 

[eatSleepWoof]

I would delete the AHC and look into replacing with ICON. If your options is a GLS you must not be doing significant off roading and Icons have digressive valving. Supposedly they are killer on road but a little harsher off road. I put in King, but I dont mind the softer ride for the off road benefits.

ICON suspension's feel is literally the opposite of what you've described: it is stiff & uncomfortable on road/slow speeds, and softens up & becomes more comfortable with speed. Furthermore, both their products and customer service are utter crap. Source: experience.

I hate being a negative nancy three posts in a row, but please learn about the suspension before suggesting someone tears out their AHC to replace it with your recommendation.

 

[bloc]

Somehow you’re still not understanding what i wrote…oh well. Also, my post was to the poster…thus, my quote in that post referencing said poster. Not sure why you got involved…but good for you bloc. But if you have any further data to counteract what i posted to the reference said poster, then feel free to post. Otherwise, this is getting silly on your end. Feel free to DM me if you want to further discuss.

Or maybe answer my direct questions?