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[roqfish]

Hi Guys,

I'm not writing about my Land Cruiser but this is the only place I knew to turn to for advice.

I recently purchased an 05 GX470 at an M Benz dealer 2 months ago. 25 days ago I had a Lexus dealer look into a clunking sound coming from mid to rear in what seems to be the drive line. The sound would occur while stopped at a red light. The dealer said they knew what it was and would repair along with performing the 30k service (actual miles 36K) service. We got the car back - everything was fine.

This morning my wife calls and is broken down on the side of the road. She said she was doing about 35 mph, when the car "came loose" and she "fishtailed" a bit - then pulled over and found what looks like a control arm dangling loose? The car is now on a flatbed headed back to the dealer.

My question is how could this happen? Could it be the dealer forgot to tighten it back up after doing whatever repair was done to the drive-line? Do these things just come loose? I don't see how. I've had many vehicles, this one being one of the nicer and to think that it just came loose is puzzling?

Anyway, now my wife's confidence is shaken and doesn't trust the car. I'm just glad everyone is safe, but I'm upset to think there was negligence or something faulty.

I've called the dealer and talked with the manager. He was nice and apologetic. But said he couldn't tell what happened until he see's it. Well that is certainly understandable. Lexus just dropped a loaner here at my house. So now I sit and wait.

Is there a certain step I should take at this point?

Thanks in advance for any responses.

Roqfish

 

[Trunk Monkey]

For the future, model specific:

GX 470 Model - Club Lexus Forums

Looks like a lower control arm bolt missing.

 

[bulldog-yota]

This will probably fit better in the FJC or 4Runner sections, as the GX shares the same underpinnings as those 2.


The "clunk" is the common rear driveshaft slipjoint that binds a bit when stopping and accelerating. This is very common for many models of Toyota trucks and SUVs.

The fix or TSB on the GX was a replacement rear driveshaft and also replacement rear lower links on the axle. It seems they didn't torque the bolts properly and one came loose. So it would be best if they double check all bolts/nuts and parts that was touched or replaced for this TSB. Seems like a sloppy tech.

Once they put everything back together properly it will be just fine.

 

[FirstToy]

for tech on this platform, toyota120.com/forum has a lot of appropriate info.

The lower control arm bolt - someone outside of the factory messed with it as bulldog-yota said.

Easy for your wife to feel shaken in the GX but this is the equivalent to loose lugnuts from a tire store or faulty brake pad install. installer error as in I bet they didn't tighten it and just had it finger-tight after some TSB as Bulldog alluded to.

IMO, clear dealer installer error and not from the factory or a reflection of the vehicle.

 

[SWUtah]

I agree with the other posts. I would talk to the service manager after he looks at your GX. Ask him to have all the bolts retorqued to spec. Glad your wife was not hurt. I would imagine that the Lexus service manager will do whatever you ask so you don't take this problem to the GM. Let us know what happens

 

[1loudLX]

I thought the 120 was tougher...how'd this happen?

 

[bulldog-yota]

I thought the 120 was tougher...how'd this happen?

You are funny

 

[roqfish]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I do appreciate the time taken.

Update - 24 Hours since my initial conversation with the service manager. No response from anyone whatsoever. Just to start a trail. I shot off a nice but direct email to service manager and cc'd the GM.

I now sit and wait.

 

[roqfish]

Update

I just got a call from the service manager. He believes a bolt was left loose and that caused "the event". He assured me that the shop foreman has personally torqued all bolts in the undercarriage and nothing looks to be damaged. A detail and full tank of gas and it will be ready at noon.

I expressed my concern over future issues with the vehicle due to the event and he said that what happened will be in the paper work and that it was their fault. He suggests I take great comfort in this because if there is an issue in the future - it will be taken care of at any Lexus dealer in the world. I also asked that they both speak to my wife and assure her that it's not quality of car issue but a people issue.

Hey look, I'm thankful for what did happen - which is nothing big. But I don't want to be anymore ignorant then I already am . Would you all be satisfied at this point?

Thx again.

 

[bulldog-yota]

I think a full tank of gas and a detail is pretty cool. If you have the paperwork it will be just fine.

Guess that is the difference between a Lexus and Toyota dealer.

 

[UltraFJ40]

That's cool. I think I'd be happy with the result.


Sorry to hear of your troubles. Your wife can be rest assured that she is driving a quality vehicle. IMHO, the GX is one of the best built vehicles available anywhere.

Just my .02

 

[SWUtah]

When I lived in Atlanta the Lexus dealer forgot to put oil in my car.

 

[WristPin]

sometimes people forget stuff. its understandable. the situation is minor. could be worse, of course.

either take it back to them or not.

up to you.

at least they amiited they messed up. and threw in some freebees.
they could have lied and said it was your or the cars fault.

sounds like they did the right thing.

please for the love God dont put giant wheels on that thing.